In case you were unaware, this is Teacher Appreciation Week with Tuesday officially being declared National Appreciation Day. Students and parents, how are you honoring your teachers?

Here are some last minute ideas from state Superintendent Tom Torkalson (and they don't require a trip to the fabric store):

For students:

1. Thank your teacher for all of his or her hard work.
2. Do your best on homework and in-class assignments.
3. Behave in class, so your teacher can devote more time to teaching.
4. Respect your teacher and your fellow students. This will create a better learning environment for everyone in the classroom.
5. Raise your hand to answer your teacher’s questions and participate in learning.

For parents:

1. Send an e-mail or a note with your children to school, thanking their teachers for their hard work.
2. Appreciate teachers for the professionals that they are, and give them the same respect you would give a good friend who takes care of your children.
3. Provide a helping hand in the classroom, during sporting events, on field trips, or at the school site.
4. Donate school supplies. Teachers often pay out of their own pockets to provide their students with the tools they need to learn.
5. Hold fundraisers and donate the proceeds to schools that have been hard hit by state budget cuts.

   Got other ideas? Share them here.