I need Ideas for my wife, a soon to be elementary school teacher.?

Question

She has worked very hard going to school nights and weekends to get here degree and has finally accomplished her goal. What would be a good present for her. I was thinking about something she could use in the class room or at least teacher related. She will be teaching up to 4th grade but has not decided.

Answer 1

Expensive -

An LCD player (she can display directly from her classroom computer onto the chalkboard).  

A DVD player for her classroom (the school may not provide one).

A small microwave and mini-fridge.  The only break she'll get during the day is about 20 min. for lunch.  She can keep snacks for herself and the kids in her class or shared workroom.

Price varies -

Go to your local used book store and pick out a few dozen hard back picture and chapter books for her classroom library; add an inexpensive book shelf for an extra touch.  

A gift certificate to your local office or school supply store - she'll be able to pick up all those things she didn't know she'd need till she started setting up her classroom.

Answer 2

Everyone's responses were great!  Some of the best things that I got for my first year were all of those listed AND professional development books.  I know she just spent tons of time in school but I mean books that she can actually apply in her classroom that have reproducibles in them.  Also a subscription to Reading A to Z.  Luckily a mentor teacher already paid for one (it's like $80) and it has tons of printable books, lesson plans and materials for each lesson.  It ranges from phonics/ alphabet to sixth grade reading.  The lesson plans are very detailed and as a new teacher last year, when your still finding your way of teaching, I found these to be very helpful.  Someone mentioned hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes... you can't have them in Ohio after September of this year so make sure first if that's on your list.

Answer 3

perhaps a thirukural book.

Answer 4

Here's a freebie for you to give to the missus, I'm sure it will save her hours of fruitless searching.

Teaching Resources

http://www.pbs.org/

http://www.learnnc.org/

http://www.wacona.com/

http://www.2020site.org/

http://www.abcteach.com/

http://www.4teachers.org/

http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/

http://www.btinternet.com/

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/

http://www.englishforums.com/

http://www.schoolexpress.com/

http://www.sitesforteachers.com/

http://www.4teachers.org/archive/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers/

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/3-5.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.ht...

Internet Activities

Standards-Based For Students

http://www.cps.k12.il.us/sbirg/index.htm...

CLIPART and PRINTABLE RESOURCES

http://www.teacherfiles.com/index.html

http://www.teacherfiles.com/clip_art.htm

Curriculum Links

http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/m...

Answer 5

2 things posters have already mentioned.

1. Be understanding.  1st year teachers have no time for a life.  Crying is normal.

2.  An LCD projector connected to a computer.

Answer 6

A job!  :)

Seriously, help her with the job search, filling out applications, getting to interviews, etc.........she may just need extra time to do those things, or help with dinner, cleaning, childcare, etc....

If she can focus on getting the job she's been dreaming of without distractions, you give her a gift that keeps on giving!

Answer 7

A bottle of scotch...

No, seriously,  anything for the classroom will be very much appreciated.  You could do a classroom welcome basket.  Supplies to include the following would be helpful:  hand sanitizer, kleenex, pens, pencils, highlighters, dry erase markers, hand sanitizer, scissors, paper towel, disinfectant wipes, have I mentioned hand sanitizer...

If you want it to be more personal add a little piece of jewelry to the basket.

Most districts require that all staff wear their badges.  Brighton makes some adorable badge holders-that would be a great addition to the basket.

Answer 8

My mother gave me this gift before I started my first year of teaching, and I will honestly treasure it until the day I retire.....

A stool, which was painted with a beach theme- It has my name on the top- on the bottom (underneath the seat), she wrote me a message, which I still look at some days and it brings me to tears. I don't have it in front of me so I can't quote it verbatum but she mentioned some of the following things (it was written very well, and flowed nicely)-

How proud she was of me

How hard I worked to get there

How happy my job will make me

How this stool will not only be the proud perch I sit on some days when I know I'm making a difference, but may it also be the place I can land when I feel tired, worn out, and defeated- it is the resting place where I can be reminded of how proud she is of me, and how much she loves me, and how wonderful the profession really is.

Like i said, it was written very well and I am going to be honest....I have flipped that stool over somedays and read it- just to remind me of everything it said. Even though I walk around a lot as I teach, I stilll sit there when I read a chapter book to my kids, when I have having a talk with them, and when my legs need a rest. It is comforting to know that a piece of her is with me.

If you can't have the stool painted, you could could buy a stool, and paint it for her. It doesn't have to be fancy- maybe her favorite color- or if you have kids of your own, have them paint it. It is sentimental, functional for any grade level, and will truly mean something to her.

The best of luck to her- and I want to commend you on wanting to have a thoughtful gift- anything will mean a lot coming from you.

Answer 9

You hit the nail on the head.  Get her something that is "hers" but that she can also use in the classroom and she can grab hold of it and remember why she had this dream everytime things get a bit out of hand, which that will happen from time to time.  

Personalized items are great, perhaps grading pens with her name engraved on it.  

A brief case might be great, again can be personalized.