Appropriate age groups:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Description of celebration or activity:
Plant a tree on the school grounds as an honorarium for a terrific teacher! A tree-planting celebration including shovel, tree, certificate of honor and tree information are a great start.

Setting up or preparing for this celebration or activity:
Have the class donate $1-2 each to the tree fund. Get together with the principal and view the school grounds master landscaping plan. (Remember, flowering plants/trees/shrubs can attract bees. Schools often plant these beauties away from windows and entrances to avoid children being stung.) Young trees can range $20-30 each. Be sure to purchase the tree in planting season OR you can have the tree dedication and present the funds to the school for future planning. Be sure to designate the specific purpose of the funds on the donation. Include teacher's (or organization's) name and tree type.

Other suggestions & comments:
One kindergarten class had the teacher hammer a tree plaque - laminated paper stapled to a stake; gave her a certificate naming the honor, tree type and growth specifics (we had to tie in science somewhere), class name and date for her classroom wall; and did it all with flare! It was very official with the newspaper coverage! The children took great pride in the ceremony. The teacher has a tree to share and enjoy!