May 6th is the official Teacher Appreciation Day for 2008. Not sure how to honor your teacher this year? Go big with a class party to express your gratitude or play it simple by decorating a thank-you note. If you need a little more guidance, see the list of suggestions below.

But first, a little history on the makings of Teacher Appreciation Day.

This holiday was conceptualized way back in 1944 when Mattye Whyte Woodbridge, an Arkansas teacher, expressed the need for a national day to honor teachers. Eleanor Roosevelt joined the efforts too, and was able to convince the 81st Congress to recognize a National Teacher Day in 1953.

An effort was made again in 1980, but as before, the holiday was only recognized for that year only. After many more years of convincing congress, a national Teacher Appreciation Week was finally established in 1985 for the first full week in May and Teacher Appreciation Day falls on that Tuesday.

Now, some suggestions to show your appreciation:

Write a thank-you note

Write a simple thank you note to your teacher or join efforts in adding to the nation’s largest thank you card project.

Cook a treat

Bring some homemade goodness into the classroom or cook a dinner for your teacher

to enjoy with her family. Not good in the kitchen? Try ordering cookies, popcorn or an Edible Arrangement.

Make a craft

Get artist with this one and decorate a pair of bookends, create a cute paperweight or

put together a bouquet of flowers.

Buy a gift card

Who doesn’t love gift cards? Pick one up for dinner at a nice restaurant, a local book

store or coffee shop. Don’t feel like you have to spend a lot, remember, it’s the thought that counts!

Plan a celebration

Parents, work with the PTA at your school to plan a special event to honor your

teachers. Plan an after school bar-b-que, host an annual dinner for teachers or bring snacks into the classroom.

Get special tickets

Buy tickets to a sporting event, concert or performance. Want a really simple option, buy a package of two movie tickets from Costco.

Make a donation

Donate your time or money. Parents can offer their time as a teacher’s aide for a day or volunteer to chaperone for a field trip. You can also make a cash donation to an educational organization in the teacher’s name.

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