Teachers... do you ever give little gifts to your graduating kids?

Question

My fifth graders are graduating from elementary school next week. I'm doing a little party for my well- behaved students. Is this enough? I ask because I've known them a while. I had the same kids when they were fourth graders last year.

Answer 1

Why shouldn't you reward good behaviour and effort? I think the little party will be enough if you provide treats, they will enjoy feeling special. Our school organises a trip at the end of each term for pupils who receive good reports, it makes it OK to succeed.

Answer 2

Have a party for the entire class and have an "Awards Ceremony" during the party for your best students. However, don't make it so that there are a majority of kids getting awards while some get nothing. Give them medals or chocolates or trophies or something.

Answer 3

i believe you should give the party for all the children in the class.  i know that some have been a challenge and done awful things but they're only doing what they are allowed to get away with by parents and your school.  they are living down to the expectations of adults.  not quite their fault.  maybe have the party and invite all the kids and invite the parents of all the 'good' kids but tell the parents of the 'bad' kids why they weren't invited........they didn't do their job.  (just kidding, kind of).

have you ever read the book 'marva collins way'?  it's really inspirational and deals quite a bit with attitudes of teachers, parents, other staff and kids.  i read it nearly 30 years and it inspired me to go into the field.  maybe give it a shot.

Answer 4

Ouch... kind of mean to practically say to the ones who acted up, "Guess what, you're an a*****e, you get nothing from me because I don't really like you."

I just don't see how you can do a party with a class but exclude some of those kids from the same class.

Weren't you ever not invited to a birthday party as a child but all your friends were? It kind of hurts, no matter how tough and apathetic you try to act.

Personally I would do a party for EVERYONE but perhaps (discretely) give small presents to the kids you favor.

Or you could throw the party during recess or lunch after (again, discretely) inviting the kids you want to join you, but word is still going to spread and kids will still get upset.

Answer 5

in my opinion you should do a party for all , they all worked hard and they are going to middle school! you should congraduate them for going so far, all of them

if you really enjoy the well-behaved then yes , why not? They would enjoy a gift for their participation and strong effort.

Buy don't do it in front of the bad because they can get hurt and mad.

Answer 6

my mother would give her graduating students a silver dollar...

Answer 7

what do you mean is it enough??? they spent 6 years in that school, or other elementary schools! get them all presents!!! kids will learn that if they do good things, good things will happen to them. just imagine if they didn't know that...

wow what would your kids do if they heared you say d**n???

Answer 8

I sometimes give my seniors cards with a handwritten, original message from me.  However, if I feel like I can't give any one child something honest and positive, I don't give them to anyone.

I didn't give them out this year.

Answer 9

a party is good for ALL students.

and also give them like, a very small gift. like a pencil or pen

that says congratulations or something.

that's what my 5th grade teacher did i think =)