10 Holiday Gift Ideas for a Teachers Classroom from Alice Keeler

The holidays are quickly approaching, and as we mark off each passing day on our calendars the one thing on most of our minds? What do we get for the favorite people in our lives? You’re a teacher, or you know a teacher…so you already know – we LOVE our classrooms and our students. As a classroom teacher, the majority of my day (read: week, month, year, life….) is spent at school and because of that I want the environment surrounding me and the kids to be as enjoyable as possible. Not to mention, I’m always looking for ways to make my life easier (if y’all could only see my calendar…)! Gifts that lend toward ease and enjoyability are something I am always searching for to give, and are so, so welcomed to receive.

I was already wanting to put together a gift guide of ideas to enrich teachers’ classrooms, and when Logitech asked me to review their Crayon for the iPad (unbiased spoiler alert: I. LOVE. IT!) I knew this was the perfect time to do both. Everything on the following list are things that I personally already have, use, and adore. I’m so excited to share these with you, and if you have a teacher in your life that you love – make their lives easier this Christmas.

Ps. Want to see any of these things in action? Check out my instagram! While you’re there give me a quick follow – I’m constantly posting ways to make teachers’ lives easier! 

1. Logitech Crayon™ for iPad™

If you have an iPad you know a stylus is a must have accessory. You can get a pencil from Apple, but there are some major advantages to getting the Logitech Crayon. I have been using the Logitech Crayon and I will personally tell you that it is AMAZING! I LOVE IT! Truly the most enjoyable stylus experience I have ever had!!

• The flat design makes it easier to hold. 
• Doesn’t roll off the table, which for classroom use (or really, any student based scenario) is a life saver.
• The kid-friendly design and pixel-perfect technology lets students write, take visual notes, draw idea graphs, collaborate on documents, and craft illustrations all on one device.
• The smart tip adjusts the width of lines by changing the angle.
• 7 hours on a full charge. 30 minutes with a 2 minute charge. Read that again, y’all. Seriously. 
• The Logitech Crayon is cheaper.
• Learn more at the bottom of this post.

2. Super Sticky Post-It™ Notes

I do not know about your school, but mine buys generic sticky notes…could there be anything worse? It’s a waste of trees, they do not stick, and then I lose my notes AND my mind! Personally, not only do I ONLY want Post-It branded sticky notes, but make those suckers SUPER STICKY!! And if I can get really choosy? I take a size lime-green in Post-It..

As a teacher I always have a million things going on in my head and I want to jot them down quickly and KNOW they’re not going anywhere. Super Sticky Post-It’s to the rescue! Not only are these highly appreciated by many teachers, but one pad can cost as little as $1. Forget a bouquet of flowers, I want a Post-It Note bouquet 🙂

Buy Super Sticky Post-It’s on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XvmcnR 

3. Wireless Mouse

Trackpads are… well, to put it kindly, sometimes frustrating. Trying to use a trackpad with a spreadsheet is less than ideal. When schools issue teachers a Chromebook it oftentimes does not come with a mouse, leaving teachers to purchase them on their own.

At the time of me writing this the Logitech™ Wireless mouse is only $10. https://amzn.to/3ENkfLZ 

For a different option you could even try a Bluetooth mouse, featuring  quiet clicks: https://amzn.to/3tJbNa7 

4. Document Camera

I love, love, LOVE my iPevo™ document camera. It blows my mind how clear the image is and how simple it is to use. I like to say that “paperless is not a pedagogy.” This means..yep, I use paper. I also use manipulatives. I like to share student work samples. So, there are many great reasons to have a document camera.

Check out the FREE document camera software solutions iPevo has: https://www.ipevo.com/software 

Buy on Amazon: ​​https://amzn.to/3Vefpwy 

5. Logitech Spotlight Presentation Remote™

This is the presentation clicker I have been using for YEARS! It is so good that I take time during my presentations to brag about how much I love the clicker. No seriously. If you come to see me, expect a dedicated section to my Logitech remote. Sorry, not sorry. 

While the price of $99 may seem high for a presentation mouse I like to say that it’s practically free: NO BATTERIES! The remote charges via USB and the charge lasts MONTHS. It feels so good in my hands and has some killer features. I can hold down the top button to turn the mouse into a spotlight! The ability to focus student attention to a particular part of the screen is such a big deal.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tKBlDX 

6. Ring Light

In an age of YouTube and Zoom meetings we all could use a ring light. Heck, even if the teacher doesn’t want a ring light it is a great classroom tool for students to use! Lighting is the trick to making better videos. Ring lights are inexpensive and fun!

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EravWr 

7. Blue Snowball Microphone

Speaking of Zoom meetings and video recordings, a really good microphone helps a lot! The Blue Snowball™ microphone is a favorite of podcasters who are getting started, and for good reason. Also, it is the microphone that I usenot to mention I have also purchased these many times as gifts. They’re just that good.

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TMxjWl 

8. Standing Desk

Sitting is worse than smoking! I have an electric standing desk and I could not live without it! Help your favorite teacher live healthier. Small changes like this make SUCH an important difference in your life. Personally, when I give a remote presentation I like to be STANDING. I feel my presentation is significantly better. A standing desk is a must!

My quest in my classroom is to remove the front of the room (be on the look out in the future for diving deeper into what this means!) One thing that helps me do that is a portable laptop desk that I can use anywhere in my classroom.

Listed above are the two flexible workstation links I ACTUALLY have and use. If you’re looking for something a little less expensive you can check these out (note: I haven’t used these):

9. Green Screen

Not many schools pay for teachers to have a green screen but what a great addition to any classroom! Great for teachers when they are making videos or in a video meeting. Great for students when they are creating projects. Walking into a classroom with a greenscreen is instantly more fun!!

• I have a portable option that attaches to my chair for video meetings.
• I also have this one that comes with a stand and carry case. Very convenient.
• If you happen to have a slightly higher budget, LIGHTING makes a huge difference. This kit comes with lights.

Those are the green screen options I have personally purchased. However, if you simply search Green Screen on Amazon you’ll find lots of inexpensive options.

10. Cable Management

Over the years I have purchased a variety of velcro zip ties and clips to manage my cables. There are a lot of ideas for how to wrangle the cords. Any tech-using-teacher would love to be better organized!

Choose cable management tools on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hX7XI7 

11. Amazon or Target Gift Card

You can NEVER go wrong with an Amazon or Target gift card. An electric standing desk may be out of your gift giving budget but if multiple people give the teacher a gift card they can pool them together to get the higher ticket item of their dreams.

Also perhaps consider a DoorDash or Grubhub gift card for when they are working through their lunch or staying late. IT HAPPENS A LOT!

12. 5 Star Instantly Takes™

I tried to limit my gift giving list to things I actually have and use…but am making a quick exception. My friend, Cindy Sterling, recommended these notebooks that turn into flashcards! They are on her wish list so I’m throwing this onto the list because if she wants it then I know other teachers will want it too.

Learn More About the Note Taking Study App.

13. More Things from Logitech™

Since 3 things on my list are from Logitech I’m sure you can guess that I have been a big fan and user of Logitech for most of my teaching career. I reached out to Logitech to ask them for some suggestions and here is what they recommended:

1.       For Focus and Performance: Whether in busy classrooms, at home or beyond, headsets like the Logitech H111 Headset support focus and performance by blocking out background noise so students can focus on their work.

2.       For Creativity and Collaboration: Logitech Pen was specifically designed with students and educators in mind. The Logitech Pen is a stylus that works with any USI-enabled Chromebook. Its unique no pairing needed design and quick charging capabilities makes it the perfect tool for Chromebook learning. Logitech Crayon is a digital iPad pencil that unlocks creativity in the classroom. The kid-friendly design and pixel-perfect technology lets students write, take visual notes, draw idea graphs, collaborate on documents, and craft illustrations all on one device.

3.       For Protection and Versatility: Rugged Combo 3 Touch is a protective keyboard case for iPad (7th and 8th gen) that enables high-quality digital learning across disciplines while protecting and extending the usage of iPads. This is only available for purchase through education resellers.

I love using the Logitech Crayon! A must when using drawing apps such as Google Jamboard.

More About the Logitech Crayon™

This post was sponsored by Logitech, however my love of the Crayon is my own! (As is my love of the other Logitech products, purely coincidence) If you want to learn more about the Logitech Crayon here are some additional details.

Discover what’s possible in the classroom with Logitech Crayon, a versatile, pixel-precise digital pencil that elevates the way teachers teach and students learn with iPad. Crayon brings another dimension to learning and opens up inspiring new avenues of creativity for any class or curriculum through hundreds of Apple Pencil supported apps.

Key Features

• Powered by Apple Pencil® technology: Students can write and draw naturally, with the confidence that they won’t miss a single line or detail.
• No pairing required: Connects to iPad instantly—just slide down the off/on switch and start writing – no device pairing or other delays required.
• No perceptible lag time: With no delays and pixel perfect precision, you can write and draw naturally without fear of missing a single line or detail.
• Kid-friendly construction: With no small or detachable pieces, Crayon has a uni-body design that’s built to last. It’s safe to use even with the youngest of students, with no choking hazards to worry about.

Advantages

• Precision lines: Need a thicker or thinner line? Just tilt and the smart tip will adjust line weight automatically to the needed size.
• Durable Design: With 4-ft drop protection, Crayon
  can hold up to the busiest of days, and clumsiest of kids (or teachers). It’s also easy to clean and proven to hold up against years of cleaning with disinfectants.
• Palm rejection technology: Logitech Crayon lets you enjoy natural hand placement so you can stop worrying about your hands and rest your hand on the screen while you write
• Shaped to stay put: The flat shape stays exactly where you leave it and prevents it from rolling off desks or getting lost underneath shelves.
• Ultimate accuracy and control– Enjoy unparalleled accuracy and control with a pixel-precise digital pencil that feels as natural and comfortable as using a real pencil.

Charging

• Battery life that lasts: Logitech Crayon gives up to 7 hours of writing time on a single charge—long enough to last an entire school day. If it gets low, no worries—a 2 min charging boost provides 30 min of writing time.
• Charges via USB-C: Crayon charges via universal USB-C for quick, reliable charging with the same cable as iPad Pro, iPad Air, and the NEW iPad (10th generation).
• Battery indicator light: Indicator lights tell you when your power is running low so students are never caught with a powerless Crayon while taking notes in class or during testing.

Holiday Gift Ideas for a Teachers Classroom

Teachers work hard! Show a teacher you appreciate them with this Holiday Gift Ideas for a Teachers Classroom put together by Alice Keeler. This list is all products she genuinely uses and loves! First, check out the list. Then consider what your tech loving teacher already has. Third, if you’re not sure if they already have these items on my list consider an Amazon gift card. Then you will be all set.