The end of the school year brings out many emotions for teachers and students. Some respond with tears and feelings of sadness. Others are relieved it is over and ready to go on. Working within both extremes of emotions can be challenging, especially for younger students, but cleverly designed end of year activities can smooth the change for all involved.
A popular end of year activity is to provide awards to students. Some of the awards recognize achievement or talent while others might identify a personality trait or fun event initiated by the child. By keeping the awards positive, the teacher can provide a fun and memorable end to the school year and help children focus on the best parts of their time in class.
Awards Recognizing Academic Achievement
Academic achievement can be the easiest category for awards. Some students, either naturally or through perseverance and effort, stand out in major subject areas. Others might shine through activities, such as being an avid book reader or knowledgeable about computers. Some options for academic awards include:
- Best Spoken/Written Vocabulary (for vocabulary usage above expectations for age/grade)
- Best Speller
- Best Author/Writer (could include poetry, sentence structure or reports)
- Young Scientist (best use of scientific method)
- Mad Scientist (most creative with science experiments)
- Math Wizard
- Ravenous Reader (most books or recorded hours)
- Computer Wizard
- Most Improved in Math/Science/English/Social Studies (or other academic subjects)
Awards Recognizing Talents
Some children have natural talents outside of academics. Some students use these talents creatively in class and others might save their creativity for the playground or extra curricular activities. Even if these talents are occasionally disruptive, make sure to give them in a positive manner. Some ideas for talent awards are:
- Most Inquisitive (always has questions)
- Most Creative
- Best Singer
- Best Musician
- Best Dancer
- Young Artist
- Best Athlete
- Most Dramatic (could be young actor/actress or always guaranteed to respond dramatically)
- Best Group Leader (natural leadership skills)
Miscellaneous Award Ideas
Not every child has an obvious talent or shines academically. Many students will need to be recognized for other positive traits and qualities. Some other award ideas include:
- Best Storyteller (either invented or through retelling)
- Always a Team Player
- Best Team Supporter
- Always Eager to Participate
- Most Persuasive (young lawyer or loves to argue)
- Neatest Handwriting
- Perfect Attendance
- Always a Class Citizen (always upholds rules or helps another student)
- Most Organized
- Cleanest Desk
- Always Completes Homework
- Best Manners
- Most Helpful (always offers to help teacher or other students)
- 110% (for the student who never gives up)
- Helping a Friend in Need
- Always on Time
- Green Award (for the best recycler or Earth-friendly habits)
An end of year award ceremony gives each child an opportunity to be recognized for his or her own achievements, talents or efforts. Try to focus on the positive aspects of each child and keep the ceremony fun. Providing printed awards, ribbons or pins gives each child something to take home, share, and keep in a scrapbook. Providing healthy snacks after the classroom award ceremony gives it a festive atmosphere that contributes to the fun. Check here for more award ideas.
This is also a good time to have students share addresses, phone numbers or comments for each other in a memory book so they can keep in touch during the summer or read comments left by friends when they want to remember their time in class. Memory books can be created during an earlier art lesson or class activity so they are unique for each student.
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