For those of you with school age kids, this time of year can be crazy hectic. What, with year end music recitals, pot-lucks, exams, school BBQ’s, exam schedules, field trips, June can be down right exhausting.
And so, as a parent of three, I grumble about trying to organize the amped up chaos, not having time to stop and think that the teachers have to contend with my kiddies all year long. Now, of course mine are a delight (as no doubt are yours), but when you start to multiply the bodies, the job of a teacher is downright heroic.
This brings me to the dreaded end-of-school-teacher-gift. I say dreaded, not because I don’t value these amazing creatures that choose to spend 6 hours a day with snotty nosed children, but because I always struggle with what to get the teacher as a parting gift. I’m sure a mug is the last thing they need; doesn’t quite cut it as a token of thanks for educating my offspring.
As I learned last year, from an insightful discussion on how to best thank a teacher, I’m convinced that a note or scribbled card or a drawing from your student is the most meaningful gift to a teacher.
Tips for kids:
1. Tell the teacher something you liked best this year.
2. Share your favorite book that your teacher read.
3. Include a favorite joke for the teacher.
4. Thank the teacher for teaching or helping you with (fill in the blank).
5. Draw or doodle.
Tips for parents:
1. Make sure it is actually your student doing the writing. Assist when asked but let them sound out the words, make mistakes.
2. If your student has learned cursive this year, encourage them to use it.
3. Put the card or note in an envelope and show your young writer how to address an envelope (they can draw a stamp for fun).
4. Do include a return address on that envelope. You may be surprised at what teacher will write back over the summer.
5. Short and sweet is best. Drawings are great to fill space. Make this an enjoyable vs laborious task.
What do you do for end of school teacher gifts?
I love this! I actually just bought thank you cards for the kids to write notes to their teachers as part of an end of year gift! Teachers are amazing!
Teachers are amazing! I can only imagine how smitten your kids teacher will be when receiving all that adorable handwritten printing. 🙂
Thanks, Barb. It’s like you are always in my head with your timely blogs. In the middle of the night i woke up and started writing myself notes to remember to thank my son’s teachers next week. All your ideas are perfect and you’re right about the mug as a gift. My mother taught for 35 years and every year she begged the kids NOT to give her another mug at the end of the year. Funny…
Never fun waking up in the night over these little things, but I do it all the time too Anita. All the time! So glad the post was perfect timing for you and I’m sure your son will make the most adorable note ever; melt the teacher’s heart no doubt. Love the story about the mugs and your mom (the teacher)…hopefully her cupboards are not brimming with all those mugs today. 🙂