Teacher Appreciation Ideas

ABC Gift Bags

Supplies and preparation:  26 large brown paper lunch bags.  On each of the 26 bags, write or glue one letter of the alphabet.  Note explaining activity to parents.  Several weeks before teacher appreciation week send home with each student a brown paper bag with a letter of the alphabet on it.  Include the instructions asking parents to help their child fill the bag with one or more small gifts beginning with the letter on their bag.  For inspiration, include a few examples such as: muffins or movie passes for M; potpourri or potato chips for P.  Also noted was the fact that you don't have to spend a lot of money.  Homemade goodies, small dollar gift cards or small purchased items work great.  They have to fit in the bag!  You can have the kids bring them all in on the same day, or spread it out throughout teacher appreciation week (bags A-E Monday, F-J Tuesday etc.)  This idea has been a HUGE success for any grade.  The more creative, the better.  You can also included a note card asking the children to write a special note to their teacher as well.

Personalized Stationery/Note pads
Several weeks before teacher appreciation week send home a 3 X 5 piece of white card stock with each child along with instructions.
Have each child draw with colored pencils or paint a "masterpiece" of their choice on the card stock.  (no crayon!)  Once each picture is returned, attach each picture to a little larger folded piece of card stock making a note card.  For note pads, send home two pieces of pastel papers (1/4 of a sheet of paper).  Have the child write their teacher's name across the top and then draw a small picture in one of the corners making sure to leave enough room for teachers to write their "message".  Once papers are collected, take them to a copy shop and have them turned into a note pad (glueing them together at the top).
Class Cookbook
Several weeks before teacher appreciation week send home 2- 8 1/2 X 11 pieces of white card stock along with instructions.  Students, along with the help of a parent, are to come up with a favorite family recipe to share with their teacher.  They can hand write the recipe or print one on the paper given.  On the other piece of paper, have the students write a thank you note along with a picture.  This could also be done with smaller pieces of paper.  Design a cover and assemble into a book.  You can get as fancy as you like.
 
Download
Teacher Questionaire
Are you struggling wondering what your teacher likes? Ask them to fill out this survey. They will be happy to, I'm sure!!
Teacher Questionaire.doc
Microsoft Word document [23.5 KB]
Download
Teacher Questionaire Results Form
Fill out this results form from your teacher survey. Send home to parents and shopping will be so much easier!!
Teacher Questionaire Results.doc
Microsoft Word document [25.0 KB]