BubbleUp Take 5: Five Ways to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to our BubbleUp Classroom Community. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, we have five, little creative ways to help kids celebrate the educators in their lives. With our desire to promote equity among our students, these ideas require no money from students or their parents (and just a small amount from the school or the PTA). Instead, they just take a caring, kind adult to gather supplies and give kids that spark. These activities are a win-win -- they model for kids the practice of thanking people and also give teachers a boost. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good gift card; but all students should have the chance to say they care no matter what their financial situation. That’s what this post is all about.

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1. Take it to the Sidewalk
At my children's elementary school, they are helping to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by drawing chalk messages to greet and thank their teachers. I love this way of saying thanks because it is equitable (all students can participate), creative and fosters community building. If you provide the chalk, kids can do the rest. 

2.  Dear Teacher
​My favorite gifts of all are student notes. There is nothing better than receiving a note from a student about how your class or your teaching has impacted their life. The best part is that this is super easy. Just give students some paper, makers, colored pencils, a sample note and a few minutes to craft their messages. Then collect them and distribute the notes to teacher mailboxes later in the day. 

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3. Can I Please Take Your Order? 
This thank you requires a little more time and some funding but the kids and your colleagues will love it. Choose some snacks (coffee, tea, cookies, bagels, packs of snack crackers -- you get the idea. Create an order form and have students deliver the form to teachers the day before. Ask teachers to return the order form (via a student) to your room by the end of the day. The next morning or afternoon, have students deliver the orders to teachers.  Students will love this chance to play the role of server and teachers will love these little treats delivered with a smile. 

4. Mission Impossible Teacher Edition
Make Teacher Appreciation Week a fun game by creating a secret challenge. Pick a day to challenge each kid to do something nice for an adult in the building and to then reflect on it. Make a chart with sticky notes to document all of your students’ good deeds. This is a great chance to teach in real time that actions, especially acts of kindness and thanks, speak louder than words. Take it to the next level by sharing your sticky notes on social media.

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5. Say it with Soap Bubbles
For middle and high school students, consider helping kids roll up their sleeves to say thanks. Gather car wash supplies, enlist the help of administrators, and plan to wash cars with student volunteers. Have teachers sign up for the car wash in advance with their make and model and let them know their car will be ready by two hours after dismissal. Our Honor Society did something similar on a teacher workday and it was a hit!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of our teacher readers!

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You might also like:

• BubbleUp Take5: Teacher Appreciation Shout-out Challenge; 5 days, 5 shout-out (May 1, 2017)
  
• ​BubbleUp Take5: Teacher Appreciation Shout-out Challenge; 5 days, 5 shout-outs (May 1, 2017)
• ​Teacher Appreciation Week: Share the Love! (April 29, 2016)
  • Day 1: BubbleUp with Thanks (May 2, 2016)
  • Day 2: Bubble Up with Thanks (May 3, 2016)
  • Day 3: Bubble Up with Thanks (May 4, 2016)
  • Day 4: Bubble Up with Thanks (May 5, 2016)
  • Day 5: Bubble Up with Thanks (May 6, 2016