******** This post has been updated since the original to include tons of ideas from the last few years of using a classroom kindness elf. Although his name may have changed (last year was Elvin D. Elf), the joy remains and I can now say for sure this is one on MY favorite parts of the year, as well as my students.
Delivery
Each year I like to plan a special frozen delivery which usually requires the help of a team mate. Last year the speech teacher acted as my special helper by delivering the package. I had placed it in the freezer the night before (next to peppermint ice cream of course!) and then again in the freezer at work. The "frozen" package arrived from the North Pole nice and cold.
Acts of Kindness & Elf Antics
My plan is always to leave one note each day with an act of kindness (treat, writing task, cleaning, kind words, etc.). BUT, I usually have waaaaay too much fun and the elf moves around a little extra. My poor co-workers are probably over my obsession with Jack/Elvin D Elf but I just can't help it! The squeals of excitement are SO worth it.
Elf Sized Accessories
Now that I know what a huge hit our classroom elf is I have been on the hunt for some elf sized accessories. I found this adorable mini mailbox as well as some other elf sized treats at Dollar Tree. His adorable elf jacket was a gift from one of my students. Too cute!
Elf Mailbox and Letters to the North Pole
The first year I had him I really didn't know what to expect so I had to improvise with our mailbox (Jack-o-lantern).
Last year I upped my game for sure! I found this little mailbox and printed some colorful Christmas paper. I used some to write personalized notes to each child (using a cute elf like font) and left the rest blank for them to send letters back with. You should see the pure joy on their face when a custom note was left praising them for a recent achievement or sending them well wishes when something was challenging.
I also decided to enter the 21st century by having an email address set up for Elvin. I just created a gmail account and sent notes back and forth to my school email. My class helped me write responses. Like I said...I got a bit obsessed!
This was an easy way to help reinforce the fact that the elf was watching their great choices (and not so great). It also meant I could come up with something on the fly and not have to worry about elf fonts and printing.
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