In Tennessee, teacher Hilary Statum has developed a cherished classroom tradition that takes under 10 minutes but results in a heartwarming keepsake. A few years ago, she posted a photo featuring her students’ hands arranged to form a perfect heart, which quickly captured the attention of teachers everywhere. They were eager to learn how she achieved such a flawless heart shape.
The secret is delightfully simple: all you need is a piece of chalk, a classroom rug, and eager kids ready to engage in a fun and meaningful activity. We reached out to Hilary to learn more about her process and what makes this little moment of classroom joy so special.
You can follow Hilary on Instagram here.
Q: What inspired you to create this activity?
I’ve been doing this with my students for years, and it dawned on me that I hadn’t seen this concept anywhere else. The idea struck me during a brainstorming session about how to get my students’ hands into a heart shape perfectly. I simply took some chalk, drew a heart outline, and had them place their fingertips on it. The result was amazing!
Q: Why did you choose to implement this in your classroom?
We were having a discussion about the beauty of the different skin tones present in our classroom. The kids were excitedly running around, showing off how diverse our skin colors were when held side by side, and it inspired me to capture that moment.
Q: How do you incorporate this activity into your curriculum?
This activity aligns perfectly with discussions around Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I first introduced it while teaching kindergarten. We were sitting on the floor reading a Scholastic magazine when the kids were shocked to learn about segregation. It’s a quick activity that can also be used for making Valentine’s cards, thank-you notes for volunteers and parents, or just keepsakes for the students. I offer free card templates in my Teachers Pay Teachers store for teachers to use.
Q: Can you guide us through the process? What’s the best way to create a perfect heart with students?
Start with a thick piece of white chalk. I like using a rug that has squares for students to sit on. Draw a heart that fills one of the squares. Then, have the students lie on their bellies and place their fingertips on the chalk outline. I usually stand on a low, sturdy chair to get a good overhead shot. Once I take some pictures with them facing down, I ask the kids to turn over for some adorable shots of their smiling faces!
Q: What do you enjoy most about this activity?
I print one large photo to display on a bulletin board, which the kids love seeing. Each student also receives a copy of the print. Everyone who receives these cards appreciates them! The children delight in seeing how their beautiful skin tones come together in the shape of a heart.
Q: Have you experimented with any variations or seen other teachers adapt it?
I’ve received countless photos from teachers who have tried this activity with their students! It genuinely warms my heart to see how others embrace it!
Q: What advice would you give to other teachers interested in trying this?
This is a simple activity that takes no more than 10 minutes. Your students will absolutely love it!
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