Author: TCR Staff

Holidays, Parents, Teacher Resources

5 Gifts Teachers Want (But Won’t Ask For)

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‘Tis the season of holiday recitals, travel logistics, school breaks, turkey brining, photo taking, candle lighting, gift planning, and tree decorating… along with the task of somehow making it all seem effortlessly magical.

Oh, and don’t forget teacher gifts!

Not only because they really, really, really deserve it, but the little things that make the day smoother, spark moments of joy or connectedness or wonder with students—those things make every school day better for teachers and students alike.

These items won’t always be on teacher wishlists (too impractical), or Santa wishlists (too work-focused), but these just-for-fun classroom additions will brighten every day for any teacher and their students.

🏆 Incentives & Prizes 🏆

Fun fact: bribery works in many classrooms. Help teachers reward the students who put in effort by keeping their treasure boxes well stocked with prizes. Pencil charms, desk pets, and fidgets are just a few of our most popular prizes that quietly motivate students to do their best in class. Throw in some stickers—trendy, seasonal, smelly, sparkly, mini—and teachers will never run out of ways to recognize student effort.

💌 Cash & Cards 💌

Most teachers wouldn’t outright ask for money, but all would appreciate it. Tuck some cash into a card with a thoughtful thank you note, or hand it off in an envelope with a verbal thanks. Or, consider a gift card to their favorite coffee shop or store that they can spend as they please.

✨ Decor Shortcuts ✨

Every teacher wants a beautiful classroom. Many teachers do not want the heavy lifting of finding, buying, printing, and cutting paper decor to hang, only for it to be out-of-season one month later. Streamline the work and skip teachers straight to the fun part (decorating!) with pre-cut, coated, and themed Create & Decorate Quick Kits for upcoming holidays and events. Add in seasonal nature, such as pine cones, flowers, and other plants, for a fresh, interactive element to any classroom display.

🎨 Fun Art Supplies 🎨

Paper, pencils, glue sticks, and basic coloring supplies? Art class basics, absolute must-haves. Chalk markers, scrapbook paper, and dry erase crayons? These extra supplies help uplift creative centers and make every finished piece feel special.

💛 Classroom Essentials 💛

If just-for-fun items feel out of reach this season, just focus on the essentials. Baby wipes, glue sticks, tissues, snacks; There are certain items that every teacher needs to keep the classroom functioning, and those essentials look different for every educator. Talk to your teacher about their needs, then gather together donations from class parents to stock up on supplies before the new year. 

Moving forward, set up a system with other parents to replenish these on an ongoing basis. This not only helps teachers avoid running out of their classroom’s unique essentials, but it allows teachers to completely avoid the mental load of planning, purchasing, and asking for donations.

Showing teachers appreciation for everything they do can feel like an impossible task. Thoughtful consideration of the kinds of items your teacher would love for their class and beyond is essential for properly thanking these partners in your child’s education.

Teacher Resources

Winter Wonderland: 4 Holiday Bulletin Boards

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The days are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping, and the holidays are around the corner—winter is coming!

Transition your classroom into a winter wonderland with seasonal holiday bulletin board ideas. Featuring a festive mix of border trim, Better Than Paper®, and decorative accents, these bulletin boards offer a variety of traditional and contemporary decor ideas so there’s something for every kind of teacher. Refresh learning spaces, libraries, cafeterias, offices, and more with trendy, on-season decor that integrates seamlessly into any aesthetic.

Colorful Winter

For a brightly-colored holiday display, begin by hanging Chalkboard Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll as a base. Then, add Colorful Holiday Lights Die-Cut Border Trim, the White 4″ Modern Classic Letters Combo Pack, and Multi Bright Stitch 7″ Fun Font Letters for a bright, cheerful holiday look that lights up any space with a rainbow of colors.

Create a faux fireplace using a combination of Better Than Paper rolls for a touch of modern warmth: Orange, Yellow Gold, Red, Black Brick, Fun Size Woven Stripes, Dark Wood, and White Brick. Then, add the Colorful Pom-Poms and Tassels Garland and a mantel to display additional holiday decor.

Sweet & Cozy

Bring on the sweaters, sugar cookies, and books!

Layer Gingerbread Houses Die-Cut Border Trim, Gingerbread Cookies Die-Cut Border Trim, and the Everyone is Welcome Woven Straight Border Trim (similar to shown) together to create a sweet, festive edge to any bulletin board display.

Pair this border combination with the Winter Small Poster Pack and White Shiplap Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll for a cozy, seasonal display that brings warmth to your classroom. Add XXX trim along

Classic Christmas

For a traditional red-and-green display, arrange a festive tree using a variety of green border trim cut at angles and layered into a pine tree shape. Photo includes: Hunter Green Scalloped, Green Scalloped, Eucalyptus Green Scalloped, Mint Green Scalloped, and Pine Green Scalloped. 

Add Gold Glitz Stars Accents and ornaments made out of Gold Glitz Scalloped and Red Sparkle Scalloped Border Trim for a touch of sparkle.

Next, build a fireplace using boxes and packing tape. Cover the base with Red Brick Better Than Paper and the top mantel with Fun Size Classic Wood Better Than Paper. Create a holiday display above the fireplace using Eucalyptus Green Better Than Paper as a base. Outline it with Red Sparkle Scalloped and Winter Pine Cones Straight Border Trim, then display decor from the Home Sweet Classroom Winter Mini Bulletin Board for a rustic, traditional Christmasy look.

For teachers who love all the little details, consider tucking book-filled bins (tied in a bow) under the “tree” to complete the holiday aesthetic. Frame a festive cutout—seen mounted on Corrugated Metal Straight Border Trim—in a wooden frame, or add bottlebrush trees and merry signage (drawn with Chalk Brights Liquid Chalk Markers) for a cohesive classroom look from wall to wall.

Warm Winter Wishes

If you’re looking to make a jolly visual impact but you’re short on time, grab the Warm Winter Wishes Create & Decorate Quick Kit for an easy-to-arrange display that comes together in a snap.

‘Tis the season for decor that celebrates the season of snowflakes, crackling fires, hot chocolate, and cozy scarves. Warm up any space with festive decor that keeps out the winter chill and creates a space where students stay engaged and focused all season long.

Teacher Resources

5 Must-Haves for Geography Awareness Week

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Calling all globetrotters!

This November, make space for all things geography in your classroom. We have everything you need to decorate, educate, and motivate your students during Geography Awareness Week, from November 17–21. 

World Geography, 4th Edition

Give students a complete snapshot of Earth’s geography with this book! Featuring an in-depth look at the seven continents and the waterways that support and surround them, this book explores the landforms, resources, populations, cultures, and more of the entire planet.

Released in 2025, this 4th edition features updated maps and data, spotlights on natural wonders, a multiple-choice quiz to assess understanding of the continent covered in that section, and a brand new World Geography Game to assess all of the information students have learned about our world.

Geography Learning Mats

Teach students the essentials of world geography with these detailed learning mats. Our double-sided dry-erase mats challenge students to identify countries and continents on the World Learning Mat, and US states and capitals on the United States of America learning mat.  After creating their own personalized mat, children can wipe it off and do it again, further enforcing important concepts.

US States Flashcards

Learn key information and fun facts all about the US States with these flash cards! With full-color maps and real photos, these cards are chock-full of interesting information about each state, including the capital, state flower, state bird, and more. 

Amazing State Poster Pack

Once students have their states, capitals, and facts down, have them fill out their own state poster and present what they’ve learned to the class! Each poster has fields for specific information about the state, such as the capital, the date of statehood, landmarks, and interesting facts. 

Travel the Map Themed Decor

Embrace the 2025 theme of “making spaces of possibility” with our Travel the Map classroom decor. Vintage-inspired maps, globes, and other symbols of travel encourage students to explore, dream, and discover new worlds. 

Teacher Resources

5 Ways to Use Pocket Charts for Phones in Class

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Are student cell phones causing classroom chaos?

Parents, students, and administrators are finding themselves at odds over no-phone policies on school grounds. As the number of district and schoolwide bans increase, teachers have to get creative with solutions that are easy, inexpensive, and limit distractions—all while addressing parent and student safety and communication concerns.

Pocket charts offer an inexpensive, simple way to tuck phones away during class. Teachers love the affordability and theme flexibility offered by charts, while students and parents will feel good knowing that each phone is visible through clear pockets, and not locked up in the case of an emergency.

Make the order and organization of cell phone storage trendy with a cohesive theme. From a playful “cell block” prison-style solution to an elevated cell hotel, there are tons of themes you can bring to your in-class phone storage solution.

Start with a pocket chart with ample space—such as the 35-pocket Black Storage Pocket Chart or the Black Polka Dots Storage Pocket Chart—for an inexpensive-yet-creative solution for handling cell phones in any class.

Phone Jail

Lock ‘em up! Add a touch of playfulness to “no phone” classrooms with a “cell block” jail-themed pocket chart. Black-and-white striped straight border trim invokes an old-school prison jumpsuit, creating a cohesive, creative look for phone storage.

Attendance Tracker

Instead of a traditional roll call, opt for a phone-based system instead. Instruct students to drop their cell phones into a designated, numbered pocket before class starts. Then, use each phone to mark students as present or absent. Add Confetti Straight Border Trim and Confetti Calendar Bulletin Board Display numbers for a colorful solution.

Device Parking Lot

Direct students to “park” their cell phones into this device parking lot as they enter your class. Add car-themed accents and accessories for a display that decorates and organizes, all in one. Complete the themed look with Moving Mountains Road Trip Camper Vans Accents and Road Trip Straight Border Trim.

Cell Hotel

Draw inspiration from high-end resorts with a “cell hotel” for collecting phones. Elevate the display by adding elegant accents and travel-themed decor for a solution that’s as clever as it is useful. Travel the Map Luggage Mini Accents and Travel the Map Positive Sayings Accents create a cohesive theme that students love.

Charging Station

Incentivize students to hand over their phones at the beginning of school by offering a charging station in your classroom. Decorate the pocket chart with accents, border trim, and stickers for decor that’s as beautiful as it is functional. Brights 4Ever Lightning Bolts Accents and Brights 4Ever Bold Block 4″ Letters Combo Pack brighten up this electric display.

Whether you choose to theme your decor, or keep it simple and sleek, pocket charts are the ideal solution for cell phone storage in your classroom. Soothe student anxiety while keeping your classroom free from distractions with a visible phone-storage solution.