Holiday Gifts and Chuckles

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Hot Gifts

Cyndi Stumpf, a second grade teacher in Jefferson Township, New Jersey:

"For the holidays, my students make a hot plate out of a 12 inch solid white tile. I purchase the tiles at a local home building supply store, and the students decorate the top with permanent markers. I spray the tiles with an acrylic paint sealer which is also available at the home building supply store. The students glue felt squares to the bottom for table protection. These hot plates have been a popular and useful gift as well as being applicable to all holidays."
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2. Fingerprint Stationery

From Denise Muto, a fifth grade teacher at Roadrunner Elementary School:

"Our students make fingerprint stationery for gifts each year. Last year, we used black ink to make a fingerprint on each sheet of paper, each envelope, on a cover for Post-It Notes, on a gift bag, and on a gift tag. The students then used markers to turn the fingerprints into mice.

"This year, we are using acrylic paints in holiday, colors and the fingerprints (pinkie finger only) will be turned into a string of lights. Again, we will make the entire ensemble of stationery and gift bag/tag. It is fast, easy, and inexpensive. The kids love to do the project and are proud of the results."
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3. Shell Candles

From Mrs. V, a third grade teacher in Long Island, New York:

"We live near an ocean beach. This summer, my husband and I gathered up several large clam shells. My students are going to decorate them and glue in a small tea light to give to their parents for the holiday season."
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4. Question of the Week: In House Field Trips

From the NEA Today writers:

"Your colleagues a tNEA Today are putting together a story about fun and educational field trips that teachers can lead without leaving school grounds. (For example, shall we peek into the school pantry and figure out how many boxes of burgers must be defrosted for Friday's BBQ?) If you?ve taken a field trip without leaving school grounds — or if you have a great idea for one — we?d love to hear it."
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5. Kids Say the Darndest Things

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge:

"I am a second grade teacher. We were studying nouns, and I felt pretty confident that the whole class knew what a noun was. When I asked for someone to tell the class the definition of a noun, all I could do is laugh. His response? A person who plays with a thing."
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