American Education Week

November 12–18, 2006

Online Toolkit: Celebrating in School

Following is a list of past activities conducted by schools to celebrate American Education Week:

• A U.S. map was displayed so each school employee could sign at the location where he or she was born.
• Third graders wrote essays on, "What I would do if I were principal."
• Ice cream bars were given to students and teachers just because "school is cool."
• The school used American Education Week to launch a contest to design the school's yearbook cover.
• Parents were invited to have lunch with their children in the school cafeteria.
• Teachers sent home preprinted "apple" papers with places for students to fill in favorite subject, best time of day, or what they liked about their classroom or teacher, and a section for parents to write their school memories. Students returned the papers during American Education Week. Some also gave their teachers real apples, apple pins, apple-scented candles or other apple-themed items.
• T-shirts and other clothing with the school logo were collected and donated to needy students.
• A school book fair encouraged children and parents to purchase items for their at-home library collections.
• Teachers posted their anonymous baby photos on a bulletin board as part of a contest to see which student could identify the most.
• Students, to end the week, gathered around the flagpole and sang the national anthem. Student council leaders said a few words about the importance of making goals and thinking ahead to the future.
• A contest was held to design a school flag.
• Banners were hung throughout the school building proclaiming American Education Week.
• Retired teachers were invited to return and teach for a day.
• Students made a classroom quilt with squares that said, "I'm special."
• A teacher created a quilt from the names of all the school's teachers.
• American Education Week began with a "students vs. teachers" volleyball game and a bake sale that raised funds for graduation awards.
• One day, students dressed as if they were in their future career.
• A local association sponsored a "What I Like Best About My School" contest for all students. Lower grades drew pictures. Others wrote short essays. The first-place winner in each classroom won $2, then entered a drawing for a $50 savings bond. Entries were displayed on "open house" evening.
• A middle school art class made vanity license plates for American Education Week, which were posted in school hallways and the administration building.
• Future Educators of America provided snacks to teachers each day.
• Students drew pictures or wrote essays describing their school in the future.
• Students created school flags and displayed them during American Education Week.
• A bulletin board displayed photos of school staff in their "other" lives, with family and in nonschool activities.
• The student council gave each teacher a notepad that said, "Our school is special, thanks to you."
• Junior high students became "study buddies" (helpers) in elementary classrooms.
• The student council supplied breakfast rolls for teachers.
• The parent-teacher organization and the American Legion hosted supper for teachers during parent-teacher conferences.
• Templates with the American Education Week art and slogan were run off and given to students so they could write anonymous messages to special teachers.
• Guests from the business community read to elementary students.
• A contest challenged students' knowledge of "faculty trivia."
• Students gave their high school a "hug" by holding hands and encircling the building. The math department had measured average arm spans and the building's circumference and had calculated in advance that there would be enough students to surround the school.
• Students gave teachers a "pat on the back" by filling in anonymous compliment sheets.
• Teachers exchanged classes on one day of American Education Week.
• A bulletin board featured a map of the state. The birthplaces of school staff members were highlighted. Their childhood photos were posted around the edges and connected to their birthplaces by string. After several days of trying to guess the identities, names were posted by each photo.
• The local association bought lunch for parents who visited classrooms.