A 4th-grade teacher recently asked my Professional Learning Network on Facebook for suggestions on inexpensive holiday gift ideas for students. I could never afford "real" gifts, but there are plenty of thoughtful ways to connect with students without spending much. Here are some suggestions for inexpensive, science-themed presents for students:
🎁Seed Packets - Vegetable, herb, wildflower - they're all fun to start and watch grow, and most seeds are reasonably priced. You can make a direct connection to understanding plant life cycles or environmental topics in general, and elementary students get excited about seeds they can grow and care for on their own.
🎁Science Stickers - Who doesn't love stickers? Science stickers look great, get students excited, and many times come with empowering messages (embrace your inner nerd! 👓💪). Just remember, if you order them in bulk online, go through and check the images and messaging. There can be some pretty shocking content hiding in there!
🎁Science Wrist Bands - There are lots of online stores out there where you can create custom silicone wristbands. You can inscribe these fun, fashionable accessories with any message you want - get your inner science pun-maker going!
🎁Oobleck Recipe Cards - Students love creating and playing with this non-Newtonian fluid, but it can get kind of messy if you don't have a tiled floor in your classroom. Giving students a decorated, laminated recipe card, with or without a little bag of cornstarch, will let your students and family members explore oobleck at home!
🎁Science Momentos Made in Class - Lots of PLN members posted suggestions such as borax crystal or shrinky dink ornaments. These presents take some prep on your end (for example, you'll need a toaster oven or craft heat gun to make shrinky dinks), but students love taking their creations home. You can get in an engaging science experiment at the same time!
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