Honoring a Retiring Teacher

My sons second grade teacher is retiring after 20 years in the classroom.  We wanted to do something fantastic and super special for her.  My first thought was a book, hard bound that will last the test of time.  I got the ball rolling with students writing notes to the teacher and then realized that I wouldn't be able to scan them.  Students write all over the page!  I couldn't be there that day to help and guide them.

Plan B.  And I LOVE my plan B.  It turned out great.  If I would've went the original route, I would have spent about $50.00 on the book.  The total cost of this book.  $8.00.  That's it!  I was super excited.  Plan B is super cute too.

Let me show you what I did.

1.  Paper Accents 12 X 12   Chipboard

2.  Scotch Glue (or double sided tape)

3.  12 X 12 scrapbook paper

4.  Hole punch

5.  Magic Scotch Tape (photo safe)

6.  Sheet protectors

7.  Colored binder rings (mine are from Office Depot)








Step One:

Cut both pieces of chipboard down to 10 1/2 inches X 12 inches.

Step Two:

Trim 4 pieces of cordinating papers to the same dimensions.

Step Three:

Adhere to the chipboard with Scotch glue or double sided tape.  Embelish cover.  Add the teachers name, a picture, maybe the years she taught.  I kept my book simple.

Step Four:

Punch three holes in the chipboards.

Step Five:

Wrap edges of chipboard with Magic tape or you can use the fancy new scrapbook tape that has patterns on it.  (but that added too much money to my budget)

Step Six:

Load the sheet protectors with letters to teacher.  You could include pictures or scrapbook pages too.

Step Seven:

Use binder rings and slide through the back chipboard.  Then add sheet protectors to the rings and finally the cover.  Snap shut.

DONE!  I've seen some people tie ribbons on the rings, but I felt like that was a little bit much.  Check out my finished one below.