Super-Teacher-Belt

 

This week is staff appreciation week at my oldest daughters school. The theme is super heroes. So we decided to make a super-teacher-belt, you know like batman has but only for a teacher. We thought about four fairly inexpensive tools teachers need and then set to work.

We used duct tape to make the belts. The best way to do this is to run the duct tape between to metal bar stools, or two kitchen drawer pulls, sticky side up (note: doing it on wood can ruin the finish of your furniture). Then slowly tape another piece of duct tape to the top, remove from stools and fold over ends.

Then make your super hero belt buckles. We used the school colors and the teachers initial. Make the shape you want and then trace it over and over for how many you plan to make. We chose the superman shield shape. An oval would work well too.  Cut out of nice card stock and glue together. Duct tape the buckle to the belt. We taped them together by using two pieces of duct tape behind the buckle, one at the top of the shield and one behind at the bottom, rather than a loop tape stuck to the back.

 

Finally tape your items to the belt. We used Sharpie markers, travel tissues, glue sticks, and Post-it notes. You could also use pencils, rulers, snacks, tin of paper clips, etc...

The teachers loved them! Some tied them on and some taped or stapled them on. They were about a yard and a half long for a one size fits all. NOTE: when buying the fancy duct tape you can only get about 5 out of that roll, with no mistakes. I'd stick to regular.

 

This idea could easily be adapted for a party favor for a kids birthday party. Instead of teacher gifts put on toys and candy or even super hero stuff. Some fun ideas can be, paddle ball, boomerang, licorice, punching balloon, a mask or those funny glasses with the nose and mustache.

Enjoy!

Teacher and Staff Appreciation

Teacher and staff appreciation week came and my kindergartner and I made treats. The theme that our PTA came up with was "Our staff are stars." So going along with that theme we made shortbread star cookies dipped in white chocolate.

 

 

Shortbread cookies are mostly butter and flour with a little powdered sugar and salt. We used the America's Test Kitchen recipe. Then using a two inch star cutter cut out and baked the cookies. Before baking be sure to poke each cookie with a fork once so that they don't bubble. Once cooled melt your white chocolate in a double boiler (rather than a microwave, it burns easily) and dip each cookie in the chocolate. Let the chocolate harden. Note: one box of Bakers white chocolate will cover 50 star cookies.

To make the bag topper use the top packaging of the 4 x 6 treat bags and trace it out on the paper. Use your schools colors. Make the second color a little bigger or smaller for a bordered look. I used a die cut for the bigger star and a tiny hole punch star for the smaller ones.

Have your child write a special note to each teacher and/or write their names on the back. You can give them a card with the common words they will use on it for a guide. Attach them to the filled bag (5 cookies) by folding over the top and staple them to the back of the card. Then put some double sided sticky tape down to close so you don't see the staples from the front. Another way to do this is by stapling through both side of the yellow and glue the green piece on after.

And Voila! There you have it, treats for your favorite teachers and staff.