Teachers/parents wanted! End of year....design advice.

[Indaba]

Am organising the end of year gift for my sons teacher (am at weird school and the academic year ends in June). Average age of class circa 6 to 7. We are doing a cash donation/gift voucher-thing but knowing the teacher well, she would really appreciate something designed/made by the kids. She is always organising memory books, quote books, photo books etc for the kids and for the parents and we'd like to do the same for her as a suprise. Am thinking of kids doimg picture/quotes etc about her but need theme/style advice....any ideas anyone as to what would be appreciated/significant. Anyone seen anything thta really works? I've got 2 months to organise & collate it. All ideas gratefully received. xxx

As a teacher I received something similar when one of my Y6 classes left school and I love it. A student teacher made it with the class and they each wrote something on a page and she sewed it together - simple but lovely.

I've made them for other members of staff too and tend to buy the brown paper photo albums from Paperchase (they tie together with a ribbon) and cut white paper to size so it's framed by the brown. Children then write messages and they are stuck in with a photo of that child on the opposite page. If you're after something more hi-tech have a look on photobox.

I wouldn't worry too much about themes to be honest, I'm sure she'll appreciate the thought and effort that had been put into making something very 'her'. If the book you end up creating doesn't cost much you could always ask her if the money could be used to buy something for her classroom next year e.g. a boxed set of books, some new cushions that will remind her of this year's class every time they are used. That would be popular with me!

Thanks.Lovely ideas.

Year before we made a book following the themes of ( metaphors or similie?)
Each child was given a postcard sized card asked to draw a picture representing a phrase such as
"going round the bend"
"driving me up the wall"
" as mad as a hatter"
The backside had a photo and name
These were laminated and hung together on a ring.
I wish I could remember all but they were very funny.

Last year the teacher loved facts so we made a book " facts that Mr.. doesnt know" and all the children wrote and illustrated something that could be personal or interesting on an A4 sheet
one boy simply wrote "did you know my mum is 42" whilst others selected facts about obscure things.
We had this bound into a hardback book ( we all liked the teacher very much) and the teacher loved it.

Doubt we will be so enthusiastic this year

wow. v impressed with your creativity.

I have done the white card cut to size and distributed to children for messages/pictures and then put into photo album, interspersed with some photos taken throughout the school year. I always think these are small enough to keep easily.
Teachers have seemed please - tho' they might have just been polite!