Christmas/Holiday Coupons as Gifts

Um, so this post is really late, but I just saw these pictures in my phone when students did the activity.  I don't know about other teachers, but I'm NEVER swamped  in December and have no excuses not to have posted on time.  ;)  Haha!

So basically, I wanted students to create gifts for families and/or friends where they wouldn't leave anyone out.  So I have students make coupon boxes, the gift that keeps on giving!  They can make as many as they want in the time we have and take materials home if they need more to make over break before Christmas.

E-mail Visits - Best Christmas Present Ever!

The one thing I LOVE about teaching is the fact that I get to see my past students when they visit and update me about their current lives and/or reminisce about the year we had together.  It's always amazing to hear about what it is they remember.  Since I moved schools AND states, I was saddened that I wouldn't see some of my past students.  However, I did give them my personal email to stay in touch.  I have received email updates from the kids here and there, but I just got a couple of emails this week that did just the trick.  Here are just a couple of highlights:

"I really miss you! I have been thinking about fifth grade recently because I miss it. That year was so much fun. I still remember all the funny times, our jobs and economy system!  I also remember on April fools day when all the students switched seats and you only spoke in Vietnamese all day! Another time was when you pretended some one took your Elmo and you left all these clues so we could figure out who it was."

"Thank you so much for making us do those essays every week. They made me a much better writer and I benefitted a lot off of them. "

"When ever I hear Bruno Mars "Just the Way You Are" on the radio, it makes me think of you. And then I get sad. But, you're expecting a baby boy???? Congratulations! What are you going to name it? I hope you send us pictures!!! :) We miss you loads, and we can't wait to see you again. Thanks for being amazing just the way you are!!!"


I must say it has made ending the teaching week before the holidays extremely rewarding.  By the way, that last comment about the Bruno Mars song was because they kids rewrote that song to fit our class and sang it to me for teacher appreciation day.  This is why I do what I do, no matter how stressful or tiring.  It's also a good reminder for me to stay on track with my personal teaching philosophies and hold my ground when it comes to why I do certain things that kids may think are "hard."  There are always underlying life lessons (as well as academic) that can be taken from those moments.  I really do enjoy my job.  :) Happy holidays!!!