Here’s how to make the Christmas Light (Finger)Prints:

Supplies:

• board canvas’ (these come in a 3 pack)
• sharpie (I prefer the dollar store brand)
• paints (your school will likely have these but I grabbed a pack from the Dollarama and they worked great)
• baby wipes
• paper towel

Prep:

• grab the supplies from the dollar store
• write the words love, peace, or joy in hand writing.  I like to do a mix of those three words but you could ask your students to brainstorm holiday words they would want to use.  You will want to write these WORDS before the lesson begins.  I always took the canvas’ home and did it while watching tv.
• Make tiny rectangles along the handwriting. These are the “sockets” for the Christmas lights. *see picture below.
• Find “busy work” or an appropriate movie for the class.  You may want to do this project in small groups or one on one depending on the age.  With my grade 1/2 class I pulled 4 at a time to my back table while the rest watched a holiday movie.  I usually did this project during the last week before the holidays where watching a movie is quite common. You could also tie the movie to the curriculum by showing a movie version of a book. Example The Snowy Day this book is in movie form on Prime video if you have an account.  (Prime video has a tonne of books in movie form!) Read the book and then have them compare and contrast the two! This hits off a tonne of the outcomes in the Saskatchewan curriculum!
• Set out canvas’, paints, and wipes.

Directions:

• Pull student(s) to the back table.
• Have them choose a word.
• Ask students to write their name and Merry Christmas and the year with Sharpie on the back. 
• Allow students to choose a colour of paint, dip their index finger into the paint, dap the extra off onto the paper towel.
• Help students make their first finger print light on top of the mini rectangle.  Remind them to press down and then lift straight up otherwise it will smudge!
• Wipe the finger with baby wipes between colour changes.
• If students are able to let them continue independently or continue to help them make different coloured prints to make lights.

Will you be trying this art project this year? If not, what will you be doing this holiday season?!

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Teacher Gift Ideas:

• Beaded lanyard:  Teachers always need their keys yet they always seem to be loosing them, haha! With a million things going on in the day they don’t have time to think about where they’ve put their keys.  A beautiful handmade lanyard is legit the perfect gift. My friend Kyla (a fellow teacher) makes them and they are always a hit! Find her on Instagram here and send her a message to order one!
• Bath salts: Teaching is stressful and the Christmas break is meant for relaxing! Help them with a little self care and make or buy them (whatever you prefer) some bath salts! If you’re feeling really generous add a bottle of wine and a candle (if you know the teacher is okay with alcohol) and make a little relaxation gift basket! If you’re up for a little DIY here is the recipe!
• Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card: If you’ve never heard of TPT it’s an online resource where teachers spend hundreds of their own money buying lesson plans and other resources for their classroom.  This is a great gift for not only the teacher but something your child will reap the benefits of as well!
• Desktop Carousel:  I bought this for myself a few years ago and it is hands down one of my favourite classroom items. Ask your child if their teacher has this on their desk and if not, I would highly recommend it, it is AWESOME!  If it’s a bit more than you would like to spend I would ask another parent or two in the class to pool together to purchase it, oh and don’t forget to use your coupon! Michaels always a coupon for at least 40% off, sometimes even 50%!
• Board Games: I can’t take credit for this but this is such a great idea! Board games are great for indoor recess or lunchroom and they can be expensive to buy!
• Dollarama Gift Card: One year I saved all my Dollarama receipts and totalled them up at the end of the year and nearly gave myself a heart attack. Teachers, I don’t recommend doing this. Parents, feel free to lighten the financial load of a teacher by purchasing a gift card, every little bit helps!
• Thirty-One Bag: I got one of these bags a few years ago and they are perfect.  Teachers are notorious for hauling stuff between school and home and these bags are perfect for just that!
• Stojo Collapsable Keep Cup– I bought myself one of these a few months back and it is my latest obsession.  It is perfect for the coffee lover and let’s be honest teachers basically live off of coffee! You can find these locally at Mortise & Tenon or if you’re wanting to order online you can find them  here!
• Coffee Bar- A parent at my old school used to do this every year and the entire staff always looked forward to it! She would make a bunch of cold brew coffee and tea and bring all the fixings (milk, cream, soy, almond, simple syrup,  to go cups, etc) and set it up in the staffroom for us all to make our own iced coffees! It was SUCH a treat!  You could get creative with this- I think a popcorn bar with a bunch of different seasonings would be good too!
• Thoughtful Snacks: Some of the best gifts are the ones where you know the students really pay attention and know your favourites.  I absolutely LOVE fuzzy peaches and it never fails there is usually one student who picks up on this and gets me a big bag of them and it always puts a smile on my face. Not only because I love fuzzy peaches but because I know they pay attention and have put some thought into it.  My teaching partner Michelle is obsessed with popcorn and so a few of her students have brought her bags of popcorn, it doesn’t cost much but it sure does mean a lot! Ask your child what their teacher snacks on, I’m sure they’ll be able to tell you!
• Mugs / Wine Glasses: I know I’m going to get flack from some teachers for this but I swear I love getting mugs.  I also collect them and so that’s likely why haha but it never fails, I always think of the student who gave it to me as I pour my coffee into it!  I have also got some pretty rad wine glasses over the years.  One of my favourite was one that they had engraved with “I’m sorry if my kid makes you drink” hahah SO funny! This little duo is SO cute! 
• A Handwritten Thank You Card (paired with a bottle of wine): Okay, it doesn’t need to be paired with a bottle of wine but it definitely is appreciated because teaching is HARD haha

Ok- there you have it! I could really go on forever. But my best piece of advice would be try to get to know your child’s teacher and be thoughtful. Teachers are very emotional, thoughtful beings and they appreciate it when others are too.  When in doubt get a pen and paper and write a thank you note… it costs nothing but your time and means the most!

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#CLEARTHELIST

#CLEARTHELIST

As a teacher, I know first hand how daunting it can be walking into a government funded classroom.  You are given the essentials: furniture, pencils, some board issued resources, and well, that’s about it.  ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣To be honest, I forgot how much of it I purchased over the years until I went to pack up my classroom this June for the first time in 6 years.  As I looked around, I realized that pretty much every single item on the wall, in the cupboards, and tucked away in the drawers was purchased with my money.  Thousands of dollars spent simply so I can do my job: educating our youth, our future. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Unfortunately, the problem with the lack of school supplies is an ongoing issue that doesn’t seem to be getting any better.  Together, we can make a difference- let’s #CLEARTHELISTS for these amazing teachers!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Teachers, if you would like your Amazon wish list to be considered, please:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣- Leave your list URL in the comment section on my Instagram photo.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

– Keep your list to $300 maximum so we can help more teachers.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

– Only include educational items. No lap tops, coffee machine, gift cards etc.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

– Add your name, the grade you teach, and the name of your school to the comment.  I will be verifying teachers before clearing your list.  You may also want to include any other information about your teaching circumstances!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

– Make sure there is a shipping address linked to your list. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Let’s clear as many of them as we can! Not a teacher? Here are other ways to help:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣- Click here to make a donation!!!  The more money we can raise the more lists we will clear.  Every dollar counts- $1, $5, $25… it will all add up!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

– Share with your friends and family to get the word out and raise more donations – use the hashtags #clearthelist and #clearthelists⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣I am so excited about this!  Like I said, returning to my classroom this Fall already has me feeling so emotional, so helping teachers and “shopping” for school supplies will make it a little easier! ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

XO, ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

H⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

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