Let’s talk about creating an award ceremony that truly resonates. I mean awesome—really awesome! I recently chatted with a friend about how her high school son still remembers an award he received in elementary—one that wasn’t so thoughtful. It made me think: How can I help teachers design an impactful “end of the year classroom awards” celebration that truly honors each student?
Understanding the Impact of Classroom Awards
End of the year classroom awards act like labels—labels that kids might carry with them for years. They can define how they see themselves and how others see them. So, as you choose your awards, ask yourself: Would I be happy wearing this award as a label for the next ten years? It’s that deep.
While candy awards or super silly awards might seem harmless, and kids may laugh, it’s important to recognize they might also stir different internal feelings.
Engaging Students in the Award Process
To make sure each student feels genuinely recognized, involve them in the award selection process. A simple Google Form can do wonders. Let them voice what award they think each classmate should receive.
I recommend setting up the form so that each child votes on the awards as multiple-choice options. Doing this makes the awards more personal and ensures that students feel seen and appreciated.
Creating Memorable and Meaningful Awards
Check out these award templates I’ve got in my TPT shop. These awards are designed to be meaningful and encouraging—there’s no need to rely on candy. When you give these awards, they immediately boost confidence and provide a positive label that students can proudly wear for years. Hello, self-worth!
Wanna know how we end the last few days of school? Check out this blog post where I’ll show you three End of Year Memory Books.
Here’s how I handle end of year classroom awards:
- Honor Roll and Attendance: These are our standard awards.
- Special Recognitions: I also award medals to students who excelled in reading and math, recognizing the most growth, highest achievement, and most diligent effort. I get these from our local trophy shop for about $5 a piece, but you can get them from Amazon, too!
- Inclusive Awards: Every child receives an award, recognizing their unique gifts and talents, ensuring no one feels left out. I already made 30 inclusive awards here!
Why Move Away from “Just for Fun” Awards?
While ‘fun’ awards might seem harmless, they can sometimes be misinterpreted. What’s meant to be funny can sometimes turn into something hurtful. I focus on celebrating each student’s actual gifts and talents and avoid anything that might feel insincere.
I’d love to hear your experiences with end of the year classroom awards, both positive and negative. Please share in the comments below.
Stay tuned for next week when we’ll be sharing more about end-of-year activities.
Leave a Reply