Cost:
Depends on how many students

Description:
The PTO sends home an envelope containing the supplies for 1 tissue paper flower with directions. In the envelope it asks parents and students to make a special flower for their teacher and add a special note: You are special to me because...

During Teacher Appreciation week the teachers get a bouquet of flowers made by their students.

Preparation:
4 sheets different colored tissue paper
Pipe cleaners any color
Simple directions for paper flower with note to families

Dear Parents,
     As you may know May 5thù10th is Teacher Appreciation week. We thought it would be a nice gesture to have the children make their teachers a special flower. We are supplying the materials and general instructions. Feel free to elaborate and make your flower special. Please encourage your child to make these flowers and bring them to school to give to their teachers. By the end of the week the teacher will have a bouquet of special memorable flowers from the class. We encourage your children to put a small note on the flower to tell why his/her teacher is special. We hope your child takes this time to do this small token of appreciation for all the hard work our teachers do for us every day.

Thank you,
Richmond PTO

Materials needed for one flower:
4 sheets of tissue paper (any color)
1 pipe cleaner
scissors
ruler
coloring marker

How to make a Paper Flower:
1. Stack 4 pieces of tissue paper together.     
2. Fold the tissue paper together starting at the bottom allowing 1" folds. Fan fold back and forth making a 1" by 6" piece.     
3. Cut the folded tissue at both ends as shown, rounding off the corners.     
4. Fold a pipe cleaner in half. This is used for the flower stem. Squeeze the tissue paper in the middle and twist the piper cleaner tightly to secure.     
5. Fan out the piece on both sides of the pipe cleaner. Remember, there are 4 layers. Begin pulling up the petals. Start with the top tissue being careful not to tear it. After you have done the top layer, go on to the second layer, then the third and the fourth. Straighten out the flower to your liking.     
6. You may use a marker to highlight and add more color to your flower.     
7. The pipe cleaner may be shaped into a leaf on one side.     
     

Other comments or suggestions:
We came up with this idea because we wanted the students to take the time and really show their appreciation. This is our second year doing this.