One of our obligations as teachers is to make sure that every child is fully recognized on his birthday. After all, children live for these special days. It is the one day that is their own. Most teachers will have a special birthday hat that will hopefully stay bug free, and most allow the birthday boy or girl bring in a snack to share with the class following the celebrated singing of Happy Birthday, which is often screamed at ear piercing levels.
Above and beyond this, I stumbled upon a new tradition in my fifth grade class, which I borrowed from another teacher whom one of my own children had while in third grade. At the beginning of the year now, I send home a form for parents to fill out that asks them for personal information about that very special date of birth. Specifically, the form asks about the child's weight and height at the time of birth, how his name was determined, what special things were grabbing headlines during the time of the child's birth, and what special memories surround this precious moment. In addition, I have each parent submit a photograph of the child at the time of his birth.
In my classroom, I set aside one bulletin board to serve as the Birthday Board. I cut cloud shapes out of fadeless paper and on each cloud write one separate piece of information from the form. Height and Weight. Full Name. Special Memories. Headlines, How I Got My Name. My Baby Picture.
I collect the forms and photo at the beginning of the year and keep it on file until the child's birthday. I put it up the day before and prior to the customary birthday song and snack sharing we review the birthday board as a class and share many laughs, giggles and fond memories. It adds a lot to the child's celebration, or at least a little bit above and beyond what is typical.
Have fun with it.