Looking for something?
Search

Exciting End of the Year Awards to Wrap Up the School Year

As the school year comes to a close, educators everywhere are searching for meaningful ways to celebrate their students’ achievements. But with so many options out there, how can you ensure your end-of-year awards truly stand out?

Well, get ready to roll out the red carpet because in this blog post, we’ll explore a creative way to make students feel special.  These awards aren’t your typical ones handed out by teachers; instead, they will be from the students! Picture this: beaming smiles and a whole lot of cheering as students gather to receive their well-deserved award from a peer. These awards will be cherished keepsakes that will be treasured for years to come and are sure to make every student feel valued and appreciated.

Image of a teacher in the classroom with students and the blog title:Exciting End of the Year Awards to Wrap Up the School Year.

Getting Started with End of the Year Awards

Creating end of the year awards is easy to do. Simply set aside time in advance for your students to create them, prior to the day of the awards ceremony. To add an extra dash of excitement, consider hosting the award ceremony on the final day of school, making it a memorable send-off for the year.

Step 1: First, you will want to explain to your class that they will each have a special job. They will be picking names to come up with a special award for a classmate. This is an opportunity for them to make a friend smile and feel valued. Make sure to show them a sample so they know what they will be doing. 

Step 2: Show students a list of suggested award ideas such as “Super Helper,” “Remarkable Artist,” or “Best Sportsmanship” to name a few.  Tell students they can choose from the list or come up with their own idea. 

Image of classroom award ideas.
Students can choose from award templates or come up with their own award for a peer.

Step 3: Have students draw names. They can pull names from a jar or you can use digital programs such as Wheel of Names or Classroom Screen for students to randomly select a friend. Remember to tell them to keep it a surprise. 

Image of a jar of folded papers with student names written on them, a computer screen with Wheel of Names, and an i-Pad with the random name picker on Classroomscreen.com.
You can have students pull names or use digital random name picker sites like Wheel of Names or Classroom Screen.

Step 4: Give students an award sheet. Have them complete each section and draw and color a beautiful picture to go with the award. To keep their honoree a surprise, you can have students pick a quiet spot around the room to work. You can also have students use privacy folders while they work on the awards if you have them. 

Step: 5 Collect the awards. You can back them on construction paper to make them even more colorful. You can also laminate them so they make a lasting keepsake. 

Image of a sample classmate award given to students at the end of the year.
Student generated classmate award

Planning the End of the Year Awards Ceremony

When planning an end-of-the-year awards ceremony with your students, get ready to sprinkle some fun into your classroom! There are countless ways to turn this event into a memorable bash. Consider decorating the classroom with colorful balloons, streamers, and banners to create a cheerful ambiance. Set up a designated area where students can gather to receive their awards, perhaps creating a makeshift stage using a decorated table or podium. It’s all about creating that feel-good vibe. 

Image of a teacher handing out awards to students.
Having a fun awards ceremony is a fun end of the year activity and will make the classmate award even more special!

To add an element of excitement, cue the music! As each student gets called up to claim their well-deserved award, crank up the tunes and let the celebration begin! And why not spice things up even more by acting as the emcee, announcing each recipient with enthusiasm and flair. 

So, get ready to roll out the red carpet because this mini awards ceremony is about to take your classroom by storm! It’s not just about celebrating achievements; it’s about crafting unforgettable memories and building that tight-knit classroom community that’ll leave everyone feeling like superstars! For a hassle-free experience and ready-to-go awards for your students, click here to check them out now!

You May Also Like:

5 Unforgettable End-of-the-Year Activities for Your Students

The Ultimate Teacher’s Guide:7 Things to Do Before Soaking Up the Summer Fun

Share it:
Email
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter

Become a Bestie!

Join to get weekly tips and ideas to use in the classroom, freebies, & be notified of sales!