As teachers, we look forward to a few times each school year: the beginning, the breaks, and the end. The beginning allows us to meet the new lucky little learners in our classroom. We’re energized, challenged, and excited. The breaks give us a chance to regroup and breathe. And in the end, well, that’s our good-bye to these students we have watched struggle, grow, thrive, and find their voices. This year, some of that is ripped away from us and from them due to constantly shifting school closures and transitions back and forth between remote learning and in-person. However, we have a chance to keep some sense of normalcy with the End of the Year Awards!
Whether I was teaching Kindergarten, first, or second grade, the end of the year was always a cause for celebration in my classroom. It wasn't because of summer vacation (although we all enjoyed that)! We rejoiced in how the kids had grown and what they had learned about character and academics. I put together some End of the Year Awards that I would hand out to my students as certificates, lanyards, or in the form of brag tags. Depending on how you are teaching, you can use these in either digital or printable form!
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In-Person End of the Year Awards
End of the year awards are such a wonderful tradition in so many classrooms. Students have the opportunity to get noticed for the amazing learners they are and the positive character traits they exhibit. After this challenging year, a celebration is needed!
Printable Awards
The End of the Year Awards pack features 75 printable certificates. Just print and go! The awards are great because they focus on all the wonderful positive traits found in your learners. With 75 options, you're sure to find a perfect award for each of your students.
Editable Awards
If you're a teacher that prefers typing to writing or simply wants a little more freedom, the editable awards are for you. The editable awards give you the option to alter text and colors and really personalize the awards for your students.
Presenting Your Awards In-Person
How you choose to present the awards to your class depends on your school. In some schools, end of the year awards are presented in a specific manner or at a special assembly. Also, current COVID restrictions may have an impact on how you are able to give out awards. Make sure to take your school's procedures and restrictions into account when deciding how you want to present your end of the year awards. Some ideas you can try:
- Buy or make a cool backdrop and a red carpet and present them award show style
- Ask students to help you select who gets each award with nomination cards (ask them to give a reason why their classmate deserves a specific award for a sweet peer-to-peer gift)
- Have students write acceptance speeches to incorporate writing and reflection
- Invite parents/grownups of choice to watch your awards ceremony (if COVID restrictions allow)
- Ask students to record a message about why they think they won the award they received and post it to their SeeSaw or ClassDojo portfolios for parents/grownups to watch
No matter how you decide to distribute your awards, keep it fun! This is a great time for reflection and celebration. This was a difficult year for all of us and it's important that we end this year on a positive note.
Digital Tools for End of the Year Awards
Flipgrid
Flipgrid's tagline is “bring the back row to the front” and this tool definitely does that! Start a grid, then post a topic where your students create a Flipgrid video to showcase evidence of their strengths. Assign their awards after having them post videos highlighting their year! Your students can even give acceptance speeches on Flipgrid!
Seesaw
When it comes to primary classrooms, Seesaw is the ultimate portfolio for your lucky little learners to share their learning. Have students set up portfolios to show their skills in Seesaw. Parents sign up for family accounts (free), so everything is secure and easy! As a teacher, you can also share and make announcements through Seesaw, so it's a one-stop shop! I love to post End of the Year Awards directly to SeeSaw so everyone (including parents) can celebrate!
Pear Deck
Pear Deck is an awesome, interactive tool that pairs well with Google Slides. Use Pear Deck to have students write a reflection on which award(s) they deserve. Asking students to share why they should earn an award is a reflective exercise, but combining that practice with writing, presenting, and technology adds up to an effective teaching strategy. Even your youngest learners can do this in a fun and engaging way! You may even want to continue this method once you return to a brick and mortar building.
Check out these platforms and 32 other digital tools that are perfect for remote learning!
How to Assign Digital End of the Year Awards
The End of the Year Awards Bundle
I am so excited for you to use these awards in your learning environment!
The End of the Year Awards downloads feature:
- Printable End of the Year Award Certificates, Lanyard, and Brag Tags
- Editable End of the Year Award Certificates, Lanyard, and Brag Tags
- Digital End of the Year Certificates
A whopping 75 certificates, lanyards, and brag tags ensure that there is something for every lucky little learner in your classroom!
Some of the 75 awards include:
- Positive Pal
- Smile Maker
- Never Gives Up
- Classroom Leader
- Perseverance Power
- Really Reliable
- Teamwork Top Dog
- Growth Mindset
- Tech Wizard
- Filled with Integrity
- Most Curious
- Stands Up For What Is Right
- Energy to Learn
- Thinks Outside the Box
- Caring Heart
No matter how your school year ends, make sure to recognize your lucky little learners with End of the Year Awards.
More End of the Year Activities
Need more end of the year activities? Check out some of our other blog posts for ideas and inspiration!
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