End of school gifts for children, teachers, and students

I am up to my ears in gifts right now.  I have Teacher Appreciation Week gifts bagged and ready to go with us today, some went earlier in the week.  Mother's Day gifts to Grandmothers from the girls are not ready, because it's been to rainy to spray paint.  And we only have 8.5 days left in school this year! YAHOO!!!!!!

Here's a rundown of all that I have planned, as far as gifts. Celebrations will be in a separate post.   Add in t-ball and softball games, graduation parties, finalizing all my grades and end of school duties, and I am a mess!  Decided to post my plans and projects ahead of time so that anyone who wants to get a head start can.  I know we get out earlier than most, we started on the 10th of August because we usually have 10+ snow days a year.  We had a total of two this year.

End of year testing gift
We are finishing up our standardized testing.  Big Princess has had two, and we studied and prepared but not overly stressed on those, she has 96-98 averages in those classes.  But Math - I want to tell you to solve your own problems, Mr. Algebra, I am not your therapist.  Math was my weakest subject, and is hers, too.  We're working hard, as is her teacher,  to get her ready.  For her math standardized test day, I'm making her a couple of goodies. 

Source: ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com via Taryn on Pinterest

This one is designed for the first day of school, but I am going to make it for test day.  Changing it to "You're one Smart Cookie.  You've got this!"

Source: bethproudfoot.blogspot.com via Taryn on Pinterest

This one is cute, too, but a little too primary for my 7th grader:

Source: littleliteracylearners.blogspot.com via Taryn on Pinterest

 On-going project for the end of the year:
This is one that I am super excited about.  I fell in LOVE with this idea from Lisa's Workshop.  I ordered each of the girls a copy of Oh, the Places You'll go  by Dr. Seuss from Amazon. 
  

I am going to sneak it to their teachers and have them sign it, leave a message if they desire. I wish I had known about this when Big Princess was in kindergarten, one of her teachers has passed away, and a couple are no longer at our school.  But I am going to get whom I can for her, and will have Little Princess's pre-k teachers sign her book.  There is copy you can add in your note to the teachers explaining this on Lisa's site.  I will do this each year, and then give them to the girls when they graduate from high school.  One of my high school English teachers gave me this when I graduated, I babysat for her, and I cherish it!  The challenge will be keeping them hidden, and yet being able to find them each year! 

End of year teacher gift
Since we just did teacher appreciation, I won't do other gifts this year.  Next year, if we actually get snow so there is a little time span there,  and Little Princess only has 1 teacher, I will do this, because I think it rocks!  Beach towel, sunscreen, magazine, candies.  I would add a can of Off bug spray, with a note saying Relax and Enjoy your time Off:  

Source: therachelberryblog.com via Taryn on Pinterest

  

End of year gift for students or classmates:

This is what I am making to give my students.  Budget's tight and has to be spread around all these gifts, so it's not much.  Would be a cute classmate gift, also.  Our tag is going to read :Kindergarten has been Krazy!  Have a Kool summer.  Totally incorrect for spelling, but we believe in alliteration. :)

Source: fakinit.typepad.com via Taryn on Pinterest

 

Teacher Appreciation Week

I will unashamedly admit to a self-service post.  Not because I am a teacher, but because I am trying to organize my ideas! 



This week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  And Mother's Day.  How did I let these two slip up on me?  YIKES!  Gonna be a crafty, busy week around here!

Big Princess is leaving the elementary school this year.  Little Princess is finishing her first year at our school in Pre-K. So it's a big year, and I want to be sure we end it giving the teachers the thanks they deserve.  I KNOW how hard they work, and the challenges my princesses give them.  I also know how hard it is to teach teachers' kids. :)  But between the two of them, there are a LOT of teachers to recognize!  It can't be expensive! Here's my list, hoping you get some inspiration for quick, cheap inexpensive, and easy. :)

Pre-K teacher and teacher assistant.
I thought about this one with a "thanks for helping me bloom".  It's on the short list. I have plenty of jars, can get some magnets quick and inexpensively.

Source: onecharmingparty.com via Taryn on Pinterest

Also on the short list, I like the fact these can be planted.  I'll have to see what's in the stores!

Source: skiptomylou.org via Taryn on Pinterest

Big Princess hope she won't think she's too cool for this.  Ugh.

*Math teacher - Yankee Candle w/ tag saying "Thanks for shining light on Algebra on my darkest days!"
 Math is her nemesis.  I've been to her teacher many times, she stays for tutoring after school, goes to her during the day.  It's been a tough year. 

*Science teacher - They dissected frogs this year.  Big Princess will never forget it!  I'm going to hunt for some frog papers, erasers, pens, etc. and do a tag that says "Thanks for a leapin' good year!


*Civics and PE teachers - Both male.  Both golfers. A three pack of golf balls and a pack of tic tacs"I've had a ball, it's mint a lot!"

English teacher - Her favorite.  They have a lot of fun in there, analyzing song lyrics, etc.   She loves a soft drink that unless you live near me, you've probably never heard of - Sun Drop.  Giving her a 12 pack and a "Thanks for being a drop of sun in my day!"


Both girls have the same teachers for "specials", with the exception of music.  Big Princess doesn't have it any longer, but had her for 4 years!

Librarian - A fellow Disney lover.  I have a silicon Mickey Mouse muffin mold. Going to make  brownies and package them in a baggie with the tag reading "It's been sweet to share books and Mickey magic with you"

Art -  Inspired by this gift on Tatertots and jello, I'm going to fill a plain paper craft bag with oranges and use her Creative Juices tag.  One one side, I'm going to have have big princess write and decorate "Without Art, the Earth would be Eh."  She loves to write and decorate letters.  On the other side, Little Princess can decorate.

Music -  Going to get a cheaper candle (remember, inexpensive) and decoupage some sheet music on it.  Tag "Thanks for lighting up our days with song."

Computer - We have two computer lab teachers, one male, one female.  Both drink a lot of water during the day.  I'm going to print these keyboards and decoupage onto a tile for a coaster for their desk.  Tag will read "Thanks for helping us with the keys to technology"

Feel free to check out my Give Me pinterest board for more ideas!