Gifts for my 5th Graders

Every year I like to do a little something for my kids as I send them on their way to the next grade. I've done the candy bar awards, certificates, little notes, last year I made coaster picture frames for each student with their picture and a class picture. I try to make it neat--yet not cost a fortune. This year I decided to use a poem I found years ago (I don't know who to give credit to, but I didn't write it myself), and do something with it. I racked my brain, searched the internet and finally came up with this idea. They are about 4 inches by 8 inches big. I hope my students like them.


I put these goodies in a plastic bag with this list, so the kids will know why I put each item in the bag. (Don't know who to give credit to here either....but THANKS!!)

1. A rubber band - to help you remain flexible
2. Smarties candies - to remind you how smart you are
3. A lollipop - to keep the child in you alive
4. Hershey kisses - to help you in difficult times
5. A Band-aid - to help you mend yourself or others
6. A pen - to write down all of those great ideas
7. An eraser - to remind you that it’s okay to make mistakes
8. Chewing gum - so that you’ll always stick with it
9. Milky Way bar - to encourage reaching for the stars
10. A penny - for good luck in all you do!

Then I made a topper for each bag with the students' names on them:


This is the poem on the front of the topper:
You're a very special person,
And I wanted you to know,
How much I enjoyed being your teacher.
How fast the year did go!
Please come back to visit me
As through the grades you grow
Try hard to learn all that you can
There is so much to know!
The one thing I tried to teach you
To last your whole life through
Is to know that you are SPECIAL
There's no one else like you!



That's a photo of all of them....I have a big class this year, so it took a while to make all of these, but it's worth it for my kiddos and I think they turned out pretty cute. Yes...I made one for Mrs. Nason too... :o)