This has album ideas, quotes, humor, and thank you ideas for teachers from the parents and children's point of view. Also see For Teacher, School Days and School Day Page Ideas.
I asked each parent for a wallet-size photo of their child and a quote "I love Ms. Cindy because . . . " I put one child to a page, and a title page where I wrote, "Like flowers in a garden we have bloomed in your care" with grass and flower stickers. I decorated each page differently with a printed-paper background 4.5 x 6.5 and stickers on two edges. For example, one page had cranberry gingham paper and insect stickers along two edges. I copied the quotes on white paper squares I placed beside the child's picture. (cmc Memphis)
(Eden Taylor)
Today I turn some of my little child's life over to you. It is not easy for me, because I held him so tight when he was newborn, and I taught him and he felt the love of his family.
But today a new chapter in his life begins, and for a few hours I will not be there to answer his questions, Kiss his bruises . . . to save him from some pain, but you will be there. Be kind, for he is small. He has so much to give and so much to learn.
And so for those few hours when he is yours. Remember, I held him tightly; I share his dreams, his hopes. Give him love and help him learn. And when the day is over, send him home unharmed.
Thank you Mrs. . . . . . for the job that you've done.
You've enriched our lives, each and every one.
We'll think of you fondly with each passing year
As we build on the foundation that you started here.
One hundred years from now, it will not matter
What kind of car you drove or what kind of clothes you wore.
All that will matter is that you made a difference
In the life of a child!
(This could go in an album or on a thank you card for a teacher.)
(Donna in MB adapted this to give with a pre-decorated sentiments album.)
This school year's nearly over,
Many thanks for all you do
This gift will make it easy
To record it for review.
Choose your favorite photos
Then remove the plastic sheet,
Peel up the blue tabs then
Place your picture, neat!
Add some special memories,
Of moments dear to you,
Slide on the plastic once again,
That's all you need to do!
This album is our thank you,
We know how much you care
We hope you will remember,
A year beyond compare.
This makes a great end-of-the-year gift. I had taken pictures all year in the classroom. I was a homeroom mom, so I had field trips, parties, assemblies, etc. Then I did groups of kids standing in front of a bulletin board full of flowers they had made. I put the pictures in a Sentiments album and had the kids sign their names. The last pages were the groups. I put grass stickers and flowers under all the pictures and printed these words: Like Flowers in a garden, we've bloomed in your care. I put one or two words per page. My daughter's teacher cried when she got it. For Christmas, you could give a started album and add to it through the year.
(Amy Steiner)
This album is a little different than usual.
Each two-page spread has a nursery rhyme on the left page and a picture of one or two children illustrating the poem on the right. Each poem begins with a sticker letter and the rest is written with a wide-tip pen. The four outside page corners have simple designs using stickers that go with each rhyme. We had a party and photo session to take all the pictures in one afternoon. We printed the pictures 5 x 7" and put them in an 8 x 10" album. (Amy S.)
Here I am
with my kindergarten teacher.
I'd give her a hug,
but I can't reach her.
(author unknown)
Teachers come and go
but every so often one comes along
that you'll always remember
one who makes learning an adventure . . .
and who can still remember
what it's like to be young
and growing up . . .
the kind who can make you
want to be the very best you can be . . .
Someone you can really talk to,
who really cares
what happens to you . . .
That person is YOU!
(Sharon Harper Sampson)
I bet you've tied a million shoes
and dried a million tears
and given out a million hugs
as a teacher, through the years.
In my child's life, the role you've played
has been a priceless part
and your must know the special place
You hold in my child's heart.
T hank you for your
E agerness to teach
A nd
C are for our children,
H elping us in
E ducating them to be
R esponsible, respectable people
(by Kathy Mayer, revised by Sandi Henry)
This album with its love
Is sent with thanks to you
For the ways you show you care
And the things you say and do.
You take your time with your students,
Molding minds so patiently.
You instruct by your example,
Giving your heart unselfishly.
You look at all your students
Through the eyes of tenderness.
You see each one's potential
And chances for success.
This album is a keepsake,
And I hope it will convey
The gratitude that's felt
For your care in special ways.
This album comes with a message,
Words seldom expressed.
You're wished life's greatest joys
And every happiness.
Note: Put one line of the poem on each page of an album. Print the words on cement paper, and mat with red gingham. Decorate with red gingham apple die-cuts (make stems with a pen). Mat the kids' photos on evergreen paper and have them sign their name on their page with pencil to trace later with a black pen. (Sherri)
(Tricia Stoddard)
A is for the Abundance of questions and yearning
B is for the Beauty I
C in your learning
D is for Doing it over til it's right
E is for the Effort you pour into learning each night
F is for watching how Far you can go
G is for watching you blossom and Grow
H is for reaching for that star so high
I is for Imagination, for the courage to try
J is for Joy in touching a child's life in a meaningful way
K is for the Kindness you bring to children each day
L is for the Love of teaching we see
M is for the "Me" you're helping me to be
N is for Never being too weary to stay
O is for Overcoming the desire to stray
P is for the Positives you bring to each
Q is for showing the Quintessential way to teach
R is for the ability to power and Reason
S is for teaching to appreciate each Season
T is for Touching those that sit before you
U is for Understanding their fear of what's new
V is for the Vitality you bring to every day
W is for every Wonderment you bring their way
X is for the Xtra Special Teacher that You've become
Z is not for the Zoo--but the wonderful job that you've done!
an alternate last line: Z is for the big "yahoo" sent from your very own "zoo"!
(author unknown)
A substitute for working moms,
she comforts, pampers, soothes and calms.
With all the love she has to share,
She's great to have when mom's not there.
She loves to rock a fussy child,
corrects the one who gets too wild.
She hears her share of tearful pleas,
and comforts those with skinned up knees.
With little children she plays a peek,
for bigger ones it's hide-and-seek.
She is an expert at each game,
but somehow loses just the same
She helps them learn the alphabet,
and gives them hugs when they're upset.
She is a true and trusted friend,
who helps them learn and play pretend.
Although she's paid, it's plain to see,
She serves them with a love that's free.