How can I help my child's teacher?

My dearest friend asked that I write a post about practical things you can do for your child's teacher to help her/him.  After being in the classroom for 5 years and a school aged child's parent for a year, I guess I could be considered qualified.  I have a lot to say on the subject and am considering a more in depth series in October, but to get the school year started, here are 10 things you can do to help your child's overworked and grossly underpaid teacher.

1. Buy extra packs or boxes of tissue and Ziploc bags, bottles of hand sanitizer, and dry erase markers.  Send them in to the classroom.  Also, after the first few days of school, find out if she has a wish list (most do), buy a couple items off the list.
2. If you have time (about 1 hour a week), offer to file papers to be sent home.  These can be papers that you take home and do while you are watching TV or done in the classroom.
3. Cut out laminated items.  Again this can be done while watching TV during the evening.
4. Ask if there are any upcoming picture books that your child's teacher will be using that she doesn't have.  Buy it and send it in.
5.  If your child's school does not have a person to make copies, see if you can help make copies for the classroom.
6.  Send her a supportive and encouraging note from either you or your child.  Some of the most memorable ones I received included Bible verses and specific examples of how I impacted the life of the child.
7.  Chocolate.
8.  Send her flowers/gift cards for coffee places/book stores.  They don't have to be high dollar amounts, but most teachers spend about $500 out of pocket for classroom supplies.  A cup of free coffee is deeply regarded.
9.  Buy bags of individually wrapped fun size candy and send them in.  Most teachers have some kind of prize/treasure box.  I would stay away from candy that has peanuts or tree nuts due to numerous allergies in the classroom.
10.  Most teachers could use additional playground equipment/board games for indoor recess/sidewalk chalk.

BONUS:
11.  If you notice a teacher in the check out lane in front of you buying 25 packs of crayons, 25 glues sticks, 25 folders, 25 pairs of scissors, buy them for her if you can afford it.  It might not be your child's teacher, but she is some parent's child's teacher.  She will never forget it!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that you need to pray for your child's teacher!  It takes a lot of time, energy, and patience to teach.  It is comforting to know that people are praying for you!

I hope this helps for all you moms that are going to send your babies off to school for the first time soon! 

If you have any other ideas, post a comment.  I am sure we would all like more ideas to help our kids' teachers!