Recognizing students and staff is crucial in building a productive school environment. Create special recognitions at your school that will turn into traditions that your staff and students will love by congratulating them with a variety of tangible awards.
Student of the Month Awards
Creating a ceremony where students, parents, and teachers can come together to celebrate a student’s achievements is wonderful for recognizing students. When you recognize students for their exemplary academics and character, you set the right tone for how you want your students to act. Reward them with customizable certificates that they can display in their room and show off to their friends.
Teacher of the Month Awards
Recognizing teachers for their hard work really pays off. Have students vote for their favorite teachers, and recognize those teachers with breakfast and a ceremony. Award each teacher with a trophy they can display proudly on their desk or a plaque they can hang up on the wall. This recognition is great for celebrating a teacher’s hard work and dedication to their students.
Celebrate Staff Birthdays
Birthdays should be celebrated! Celebrate a staff member’s birthday by decorating their workspace with a customized banner. When they walk in and find their workspace decorated, they’ll be proud to work at a school that notices the details. If a staff member doesn’t like their birthday to be a big deal, create a custom message using a stylish border paper to recognize them in a smaller way.
Student Attendance Recognition
Not missing a day of school can be tricky for many students. This may be an achievement that goes unnoticed in some schools, but handing a student a certificate that acknowledges their dedication to their academics goes a long way. Complement their attendance certificate with a coordinating certificate jacket that’ll display their award beautifully.
Recognition Awards with Swag
Everyone loves some swag! Your staff will appreciate all the different ways they’ll be able to show their school pride: apparel, tumblers, and more! Show your appreciation by including some of these items in a gift basket or as a surprise gift in their mailbox. Your staff will be proud of their school as they walk through the halls with their cool items.
These award and recognitions ideas are great for building a happy school environment. Your students and staff will desire these recognitions and work hard for them. Recognize with style and use PaperDirect for all your recognition needs.
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Recognizing your students’ achievements has amazing outcomes. When you recognize individual student achievements with a tangible award, they will all feel appreciated and motivated to continue to work hard in the classroom.
Awarding Good Behavior
Awarding good behavior sets the foundation for your classroom and how your students should act. When students follow the rules of the classroom, you create a safe learning environment where students can learn without distractions. Award each outstanding student with a pin that they can show off in the classroom with pride.
Make Students Feel Appreciated
Recognizing your students’ achievements will let them know that you see their efforts and are proud of their achievements. An appreciated student won’t give up on their work and will feel like doing something that matters. Handing them a certificate that you have customized to be specific to that student is the perfect recognition gift.
Encourage Student Pride
When students have something they can be proud of, it shows in the way they act. Awarding students with trophies and plaques is a great way for them to feel a sense of pride. They’ll be able to show off their awards to their friends and family, or hang them up in their rooms. The pride that your students will feel in school will continue to move them in the right direction.
Motivate Students
Recognition is a great way to keep students motivated any time of year. When you introduce certificates, pins, trophies, and lanyards that can be awarded for different achievements it will motivate your students to work harder. This motivation will provide the drive your students need to excel in their studies.
Happy Students
Students that are successful with their studies are happy. By recognizing your students’ achievements, you are encouraging them to continue to work hard and be productive. When you reward your students you’ll make them feel appreciated and happy.
Making sure that you are recognizing achievement when you’re supposed to is important. Award your students with certificates, pins, and other recognition items to show that you appreciate all their hard work. Check out PaperDirect for more recognition items!
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A diploma reflects your academic achievements and personal growth, but what happens once the ceremony is over? If your diploma is gathering dust on a shelf or languishing in a drawer, it’s time to give it the honor it deserves.
Framing your high school or college diploma is not just about display; it’s a way to preserve it, enhance your space, and celebrate your accomplishments. Whether you are searching for professional, creative, or handcrafted ideas, we’ve got you covered. This guide will inspire you with creative options to proudly showcase your diploma at home or in your workspace.
Why Frame Your Diploma?
Before exploring the variety of diploma framing ideas, let’s understand why framing truly matters.
Celebrate a Milestone: Mark your academic and personal achievements with a fitting display.
Motivational Decor: A well-framed diploma in your office or home serves as a constant reminder of what perseverance can achieve.
Professional Aesthetic: Create a polished look for your office or library, leaving a lasting impression on clients, coworkers, or guests.
Preservation: Protect your diploma from wear and tear, moisture, and fading over time with a high-quality frame.
Showcase Your Diploma in a Shadowbox
For a display-worthy keepsake, consider showcasing your diploma in a shadowbox. Shadowboxes add depth and dimension, allowing you to incorporate other meaningful items alongside your diploma. They are ideal for graduates who want an eye-catching display that captures their academic journey.
Personalization Ideas:
Include award ribbons, honor cords, medals, or lapel pins from your graduation ceremonies.
Customize the backing with school colors or opt for a timeless black felt background.
Add a small engraved plaque with your graduation date for a personalized touch.
Decorate a Custom Frame Yourself
Feeling crafty? Take a plain wooden frame and transform it into a personalized masterpiece. Decorating a frame lets you add a touch of creativity and make it uniquely yours.
DIY Decoration Ideas:
Paint it in your school colors or incorporate your high school’s or college’s mascot/logo and graduating class year.
Glue on seashells, ribbons, charms, or medals to create a themed frame—for instance, coastal decor for seaside universities.
Add 3D elements inspired by your academic field (e.g., small globes for geography majors).
Display Your Diploma with a Leatherette Award Board
For a sleek and classic option, consider a leatherette award boardfor personal and professional settings. This traditional frame style slips your diploma into an acetate overlay while exuding sophistication and professionalism. Pair them with certificates, awards, or framed graduation photos for a cohesive display.
Why Choose Leatherette Boards?
They suit office shelves or professional settings due to their timeless and minimalistic look; they also take up less space!
Available in multiple color options to match your interior decor.
Mount Multiple Diplomas on Engraved Plaques
For graduates with multiple degrees under their belt, coordinating engraved plaques offer an impressive way to display them together. This setup is perfect for academic offices or home study spaces, creating a showcase that celebrates your lifelong learning.
Tips for Displaying Multiple Diplomas:
Arrange your associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate diplomas side by side.
Add engraved plates beneath each diploma to note the degree type and graduation year.
Choose a wooden plaque kit for a substantial and cohesive display of each diplomas.
Mat and Frame Your Diploma Professionally
A traditional, professional framing style is always a trusted choice for showcasing diplomas in formal environments. A professionally matted and framed diploma is ideal for office spaces where a polished and authoritative tone is key.
Framing Tips:
Select Mat Colors: Black or cream mats are timeless and versatile, but incorporating school colors can add a personal touch.
Add a Protective Glass Cover: This ensures the diploma is safeguarded from dust and smudges.
Coordinate with Decor: Match the frame and mat to your room’s aesthetic for a seamless look.
Create a Diploma Collage Frame
Celebrate more than just the diploma itself by creating a collage frame that captures the spirit of your entire graduation experience. This option allows you to combine sentimental memories alongside your achievement, making it a wonderful piece for your home or work office.
What to Include:
Center your diploma in the largest mat opening.
Surround it with graduation photos, ceremony invitations, or programs.
Add keepsakes like your tassel or a personalized thank-you note.
Choosing the Right Frame Style for Your Diploma
When selecting the perfect frame, consider the wide variety of styles and materials available to match your personal preferences and budget. The right frame style can elevate your diploma into an integral part of your home or office decor.
Traditional vs. Modern: Traditional wooden frames evoke warmth, while sleek metal frames offer a contemporary feel.
Acrylic Frames: Lightweight and casual, acrylic frames are ideal for informal settings like dorm rooms or apartments.
Custom vs. Pre-Made: Pre-made frame options save time, while custom frames allow for unique, tailored designs.
DIY Diploma Framing Tips
Want to try your hand at framing your diploma yourself? Here are some tips to ensure a successful DIY framing project:
Use Acid-Free Materials: Prevent yellowing and damage by choosing acid-free backing and mats.
Measure Carefully: Precision is key to avoid gaps or uneven mounting.
Get Creative: Incorporate embellishments like stickers, small keepsakes, or personalized messages.
Save on Costs: Explore budget-friendly DIY kits or repurpose existing frames from thrift stores.
Where to Shop for Diploma Frames
Whether you’re looking for a custom frame or a simple DIY option, there are plenty of places to shop for quality diploma frames:
Online Stores: Browse e-commerce sites offering customizable frames that are known for their wide range of certificate frames and recognition products.
Local Frame Shops: Visit brick-and-mortar stores to compare materials and get guidance from experts.
Custom Framing Services: Ideal for unique diplomas or personalized designs that require professional care.
Explore PaperDirect’s collection to find everything from classic leatherette frames to engraved plaques that highlight your achievement.
Display Your Diploma with Pride
Your diploma is more than just a document; it’s a testament to your perseverance, dedication, and growth. By framing it thoughtfully, you’re giving your accomplishment the recognition it deserves while protecting it for years to come.
Whether you prefer a sleek leatherette award board or a sentimental collage frame, there’s a perfect option to match your style. Explore creative ideas, experiment with DIY options, or go for professional matting and framing to showcase your success.
Are you ready to make your diploma stand out? Browse the diploma frames at PaperDirect and turn your achievement into a keepsake that inspires pride and admiration every day!
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Making the Dean’s List is a big deal, and your school needs to produce a certificate worthy of the honor. While no national standard dictates what a Dean’s List certificate must look like and include, most schools follow a similar format to ensure they produce an official certificate that contains all of the essential information.
Information to Include
At the very least, your dean’s list certificate needs to include:
Title of the award, such as Dean’s List Award, or simply Dean’s List
Name of university or college
Name of recipient
Semester and year the certificate is being awarded
Official signature(s)
Certificates may be signed by the dean, deans from different departments, or other administrative members authorized to bestow the award.
Design Elements
For the most official, traditional look, it’s imperative to pay attention to several design elements.
School Logo or Seal
The school logo refers to an emblem that can be printed on the certificate, while the seal is created by a sticker or stamp that creates an imprint. One or the other is typically used on a dean’s honor list certificate, with the logo frequently appearing near the top center of the certificate and the seal often appearing in a bottom corner. Choose a Seal that comes with an embossed design or create your own with a blank foil seal and Custom Embosser.
Font
The font style sets up the overall vibe of the certificate, with the most official and traditional often using an Old English type font. For a less fussy look, a straightforward font such as Bookman Old Style can work. Use no more than two different types of font on the certificate to retain a crisp and clean look.
Font sizes can vary, with larger lettering for the heading and important information and a smaller font size for less crucial information.
Certificate Paper
A dean’s list certificate is not the place to skimp on paper. You will want to use high-quality paper designed specifically forawards and certificates. Attractive options for a dean’s list can include:
Border Specialty Certificates: Keep it simple and elegant with a light background enclosed by a foil accent border on 38-lb stock.
Charisma Specialty Certificates: Add a rich layer of color with a full-color option featuring 38-lb stock and a silver foil-accented design.
When finalizing your design, make sure you adjust your layout to account for any borders on your certificate paper.
These tips can help ensure your dean’s list certificate makes a stunning statement, providing a tangible testament to all the hard work and dedication that went into receiving it. To start creating your Dean’s List certificate today, browse PaperDirect’s certificate and recognition options.
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College can be an incredibly fun time for students, but it’s not without its challenges. Between juggling homework, theses, and job applications, your students are likely stressed out much of the time!
While you can’t help them manage their busy schedules, you can acknowledge their hard work and unique quirks with fun and meaningful awards. Try out some of these award ideas for college students to boost morale in your university.
1. Superlatives
Superlative awards are one of the most popular parts of high school. Almost anyone can recall at least category from when they graduated, like Best Couple, Class Sweetheart, or Most Likely to Succeed. You can easily adapt this concept for college. Try some fun ideas that poke a little fun, while still showing your students you know them as individuals. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Most Likely to Drink 5 Cups of Coffee in One Class
Most Likely to Wear Pajamas in Class or Most Likely to Wear a Suit to Class
Most Likely to Know the Answer to Every Question
Most Likely to Start a Debate Over Anything
Most Likely to Take Impeccable Notes
2. Awards for High-performing Students
Giving high-performing students a small award, either in class or in privacy, for their achievements is a gesture that can go a long way. Extra validation can make a big difference, especially during high-pressure times like midterms or finals. Hand out certificates acknowledging one of the following achievements:
Top Math/History/Biology Student of the Year
Top Grade in the Course
Highest Test Score
3. Rewards for Students Who Study Together
Students often study together during college – there’s so much work to be done, and it always goes faster when you’re in a group! If you have a student you know shows up to help support others during test prep, reward them for their willingness and ability to cooperate with others. Some ideas to help recognize their collaboration are:
Most Dedicated Study Group
Biggest Team Player
Best Group Project of the Semester
The Test Prep Dream Team
4. Awards for Students with Perfect Attendance
If your class is at 8 AM, then this is one of those award ideas for college students that should be mandatory! College students have a lot going on, so simply making it to class all the time is an achievement that deserves acknowledgment. Whether it’s a certificate or a gift card for the local coffee shop to keep them punctual, it’s a worthwhile thing to celebrate. Awards relating to punctuality can include:
Most Punctual
Most Likely to Be the First to Class
Perfect Attendance
Most Visits to Office Hours
5. Certificates for Students Who Audited the Course
Students audit courses for a variety of reasons, but since they don’t receive official credit, giving students who audit a class an award is worthwhile. While all students are pursuing their educations and broadening their horizons by attending college, there’s something extra special about students taking on a course just for the sake of learning. Reward students who often go unacknowledged for going above and beyond with a certificate of completion.
No matter what awards you choose to celebrate your college students this season, PaperDirect has the certificates, trophies, and other awards you need to thank them for their hard work – or dedication to wearing PJs to class. Browse our range of recognition products today!
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See Jane improve. Watch Sam excel. Then feel free to award each of them a certificate for doing their best in your elementary school classroom.
Certificates of appreciation or achievement can be an ideal way to recognize students for a job well done, whether it’s acing the spelling test, making momentous improvements in their math scores, or even showing compassion, kindness, and a positive attitude throughout the year.
As long as they’re not given out willy-nilly for no real reason, certificates can be useful tools that help motivate students, boost self-esteem, and provide recognition in front of their peers. When given for no apparent reason they can start to lose significance or meaning. You want certificates to help your students feel special when they’ve done something special and because they’ve truly earned it.
Check out what we mean with several examples below, complete with the wording you can use for your awards.
Certificate Wording for Elementary School: Basic Info
Before we dive into the examples, it’s essential to note the basic information that should appear on every certificate. This includes:
Name of student receiving the honors
Name of teacher, department, or school awarding the honors
Reason the student is receiving the award
Date and signature
Certificate Wording for Elementary School: Examples
Simple wording works best for elementary school students, and you can simplify some of the examples further by putting the teacher’s name, classroom, or school name at the bottom of the certificate instead of in the middle with the rest of the text.
Lastly, choose bright colors, upload a cheery image or two and your certificates can be ready for action the next time one of your students does something genuinely great.
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While most folks wouldn’t want to brag about being on a hit list or blacklist, making the dean’s list is a stellar achievement indeed. Bragging rights are definitely included with the honor, which means universities need to provide certificates that are worthy of being shown, hung and, perhaps most importantly, posted on Facebook or Instagram.
A brag-worthy dean’s list certificate consists of two key components:
Dean’s list certificate wording that sounds honorable, official and, in some cases, even poetic
Your dean’s list certificate wording can get as long and lofty as you like, although most follow a general template that includes the basic info.
Dean’s List Certificate Templates
Information for a dean’s list certificate template typically includes:
Name of college or university
Name of certificate or award
Reason certificate is being awarded
Name of recipient
Semester and year the certificate is being awarded
Official school seal and dean’s signature
Template Example 1:
Name of University across the top of the certificate
This Dean’s List Certificate is hereby awarded to
(Name of recipient)
for outstanding scholastic achievement in the (fall/spring) semester of (year).
The bottom of the certificate generally includes an official stamp of the school’s seal on the lower left and dean’s signature and title on the lower right.
Template Example 2:
Name of University across the top
Dean’s List Certificate/Dean’s List Award directly below name of university
This award certifies that
(Name of recipient)
Has achieved the honor of placement on the Dean’s List due to outstanding scholastic performance during the (fall/spring) semester (year).
School seal in lower left corner; dean’s signature and title in bottom right corner.
Dean’s List Certificate Wording
Once you have the general template down, you can play around a bit with the wording to create an overall message that best reflects the personality of your school. Items to consider include:
Name of Document
Dean’s List Certificate
Dean’s List Award
Dean’s List Honor
Dean’s List Recognition
Reason for Receiving Document
This (Name of document) is being awarded to (Name of recipient) due to:
Superior scholarly performance worthy of note and inclusion on the Dean’s List
Academic excellence as evidenced by achieving a GPA of 3.5 or above
Outstanding scholastic performance
Outstanding scholarly achievement
Scholastic excellence
Scholarly dedication and greatness
Superior scholarly achievement
Notable scholastic performance
Remarkable academic performance
Dean’s list certificate wording is typically pretty straightforward, although you can certainly add fanfare with the certificate’s coloring, border and other details. The overall vibe is to instill pride and recognition for a job well done – and a certificate well deserved.
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Kids love praise. Knowing they’ve reached a goal or completed a task motivates them to continue doing well. Although Sunday School classes may seem like a fun place to socialize with friends, play games and listen to inspiring stories, there’s a lot of learning going on too. Let’s celebrate it!
Here are four Sunday school recognition ideas to keep your youngest parishioners engaged and active in their religious studies.
Sunday School Growth Award
Progress should always be recognized and commended. The Sunday School Growth Award is ideal for students who’ve completed assignments and projects in a timely manner and shown a deep understanding and appreciation of the lessons they’re learning. These children are often eager to learn more, ask questions and have a genuine interest in growing within the congregation.
Heavenly Cooperation Award
Do you have students break into groups to learn songs and verses together? Take note of the children who work exceptionally well with others. They deserve a Heavenly Cooperation Award. Let them know how much you appreciate them being helpful and friendly to the other children in their group. This award will inspire others to be just as cooperative in the future!
Religious Leadership Award
As Sunday school students get older, they often take on leadership roles within the church. Some teach younger students, volunteer to be a teacher’s assistant, or conduct special lessons for other classes. The Religious Leadership Award is for those students who go above and beyond to help others as a mentor and role model to other students.
Finding Faith Award
Every Sunday school teacher knows of a few students who are working on finding their place in the church. This award should be presented to students who’ve experienced a defining moment and have newly accepted their faith. This award is perfect for presenting during the final class of the session or during a ceremony with family and friends present.
Do you need paper certificate to print your Sunday school recognition awards on? Paper Direct has a wide variety of festive, fun certificates to make your presentation perfect.
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Successful teachers know that middle school recognition ideas are more than just simple certificates; they are tools that mean the difference in academic success.
One of the most important aspects of teaching middle school is creating a positive environment. It is also the most challenging.
Teachers know that in order to support student advancement, they need to battle such things as student burnout and lack of motivation on a daily basis using the most effective tools available to them— with recognition ranking at the top.
Everyone loves recognition, including students. That’s why genuine recognition is so important and valuable in the classroom.
If you are looking for some fresh ideas to recognize your students, here are some of our favorites.
Observational Awards
One of the best ways to show students that you are tuned-in is by awarding recognition based on observations. Keep a list of positive achievements of each student, especially ones not directly related to scores. Here are some observational ideas:
Most insightful answer
Most creative essay
Best application of the lesson
Outstanding demonstration of leadership
Demonstrating inclusiveness
Outstanding determination
Daily Positivity
Organizational Awards
Most cooperative lab group
Best demonstration of problem solving
Successful time management
Best use of tools such as asking for help, study aids, library
Most willing to try new things
Productivity awards
Most complete classroom notes
Best demonstration of humor
Most enthusiastic
Class/school spirit
Most interactive
Fostering class discussion
Most compelling question
Stump the teacher
Art that inspires
Incredible computer skill
Reading for fun
Patriotism
Fostering unity outside the classroom
The best thing about using observational awards for middle school recognition is that the list can go on forever because unique student achievement never ends.
Beautiful certificates are lasting and meaningful for students, they help improve the learning environment, and help shape a positive future for the students.
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One of the most momentous times in a young adult’s life is their senior year of high school. It represents the transition to adulthood and is the culmination of years of hard work. One of the ways to acknowledge this special achievement is by incorporating senior recognition ideas into the celebration.
Senior recognition ideas help graduates know that their efforts were noticed and worthwhile. It also helps them know that they are truly valued and provides wonderful inspiration for their future endeavors. If you want to celebrate your senior, here are some memorable recognition ideas:
Newspaper Ad
Surprise your senior with a congratulatory ad in the local newspaper. Not only is it a great way to shout from the rooftops, the newspaper also becomes a precious keepsake.
T-shirt Quilt
If you’re unfamiliar with what a T-shirt quilt is, be sure to check them out! Basically, you compile all of your student’s T-shirts from over the years (Soccer clubs, committees, homemade, etc) and create a quilt. It’s the perfect gift for remembering a high school career without lugging all their T-shirts around.
Senior Year Certificates
There is no better way to call out special achievements than with certificates of merit. Certificates can be casual and fun, or even something inspiring!
Slide Show
Slide shows can be the perfect mixture of showing your senior how far they’ve come, while getting to slightly embarrass them while you brag! Play the slide show for your senior year graduate after his/her final exams, the day of commencement, or during your at-home graduation party.
Photo Album
Mark the milestone with a photographic timeline of lifetime achievements. To make it extra special, have friends and family add captions about their memories of the graduate during your family’s graduation party.
Graduation Trophy
Customize a trophy with something special about your graduate. You can make the inscription funny or serious. Either way it will be a special reminder of their accomplishments as well as how proud you are of them.
Gift Card
Take your recent grad dorm shopping to buy funky chairs, shag rugs, and mini fridges. Also, be sure to stock them up on their favorite snack for college.
Senior Trip
Whether you take them on an extravagant trip over seas or a weekend camping trip, having one last “hoorah” with your special senior before Senior Year is over is important.
The senior year of high school is filled with endings as well as new beginnings. Senior recognition ideas help make every moment of this time stand out.
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You love your students, and they each bring something special to the classroom. This year, thank them for being uniquely them by creating end-of-the-year awards. Every student loves to be appreciated, and these awards will do this that! Here are some unique ideas for elementary student awards:
Elementary Student Award Ideas
Math Whiz
Historian
Kickball Champ
Future Picasso
Rocket Scientist Award
Best Line Leader
Best Handwriting
Fashionista Award
Harry Potter Award (for anyone who truly loves Harry Potter)
Mr./Miss Congeniality
Class Clown
Grammar Master
Reading Rockstar
Tetherball/ Wallball champ
Didn’t Miss a Thing (attendance)
Mascot Award
Little Einstein Award
Future Pop Star
Rising Star
Best Dancer
Most Likely to Become President
Next Stop: The NFL
Soccer Star
Olympics Bound
Smile Award
Best Sense of Humor
Receiving these fun awards are sure to boost confidence and morale in the classroom and are a great way to end the school year. Purchase quality certificates from PaperDirect and show all your students what rockstars they really are.
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Spring is nearly here, which means the end of school is nearly here. With summer so close, you might notice that your students are starting to get daydream in the classroom. From elementary schools to high schools, finding ways to boost student morale will help them reach the end of the academic year without a drop in grades or a loss of interest.
1. Plan a Field Trip
One way to get students excited about learning again is to get them out of the classroom. Plan a field trip to a museum or historical site that is relevant to what your students are studying.
If you have a tight budget, visit a public park and learn about the native plants and animals.
2. Hold an Awards Ceremony
Create award certificates that recognize student’s achievements each week or month. Hold a short awards ceremony at the end of certain days or weeks to hand out the certificates. Giving out an award for perfect attendance, top test scores, or most creative essay will encourage students to keep working hard, even as spring fever sets in.
3. Get Interactive
Think of ways to get students involved in what they are learning. If you’re studying an historical event, have students act it out. Some popular activities include: The Oregon Trail and Student Government.
4. Focus on Interests
Students are more likely to pay attention if what they are learning interests them. Try to tie the lessons into contemporary students’ interests or assign projects that relate to their individual interests.
5. Set Goals Everyday
Keep students going through each school day by asking them to set a small, achievable goal at the beginning of each lesson. The students can share their goals with others or keep them private if they prefer.
6. Offer Extra Credit
Some students love the sound of extra credit. Offer the chance to earn a few extra points on a test or essay by asking a particularly challenging question. If the students answer correctly, they get a bonus. If they don’t, it doesn’t hurt their score.
7. Ask Students How They Are Doing
Get a read on your students by asking them how they feel at the start of class. If students are having a bad day, they can give you a thumbs down sign. If they’re having a good day, they can give a thumbs up.
8. Add a Game
Games make class time go faster. Students learn while having fun. One of our favorite ideas is to have a Jeopardy! style contest in which students have to answer class-relevant questions in the form of a question.
9. Be Encouraging
Always have a kind word to say to your students. They might not get the answers right all of the time, but keep in mind that they are trying.
When student morale is high, your students are more likely to engage with you and to do his/her best. And when everyone is getting involved and doing their best, grades will soar–giving you more opportunities to recognize their success. Implement any or all of the above ideas to boost student morale at your school.
When it comes to students, a little award can go a long way. Whether you’re emphasizing behavior or trying to motivate students to be good friends, awards for students should be part of your day-to-day teaching, outside of the awards for academic achievement that are built into the school year. As you consider creative ways to award your students, consider these five award ideas for students:
The “Faithful Friend” Award
Reward your more social students with their very own “Faithful Friend” award. When you see students going above and beyond for friends, consider awarding them. This is behavior you want to encourage, as being a good friend is a valuable life skill, so have a stash of “Faithful Friend” awards to hand out.
The “Happy Helper” Award
Teachers and educators want to foster a sense of community in the classroom, and one way to do this is to encourage your students to help in the classroom. Rewarding those who help with an eager attitude will create a community of helpers. Add some “Happy Helper” student awards to your stash.
The “Excellent Effort” Award
If you’ve been teaching for long, you know that all your students are different, and they all learn differently. Sometimes, a simple “good job” or “excellent effort” goes a long way to boosting a student’s confidence in the classroom. When you catch them giving their all, they should be awarded for this, even if you can’t give them an “A” on the grade card. Reward them for their effort with an “Excellent Effort” certificate showing them that you noticed.
The “Classroom Creativity” Award
Creativity is sometimes stifled in the midst of the daily grind of the school year, but you want to foster it in your students. Purchase some “Classroom Creativity” award certificates to give out to those students who show superior creativity in art, imaginative play, or writing activities. The more you reward creativity, the more it will grow.
The “Class Citizen” Award
Do you have a student who is careful to follow the rules? This student may not get much positive reinforcement from peers, especially if he is apt to tattle. Reward the good behavior, while working on the tattling at another time, with the “Class Citizen” award. This will show that you value a student who pays attention to the rules and tries to follow them, and it might encourage other students to follow.
Students who do well academically are rewarded many times throughout the school year. You can ensure that others get awarded for their strengths as well with these creative award ideas for students. Ordering them couldn’t be easier with the help of PaperDirect. Simply find the award you love, customize it for your specific category and order conveniently online!
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Kids achieve great things in the classroom, and it’s about time their brilliance is rewarded. When generic honor-student bumper stickers aren’t enough, it’s time to get creative. Give your star students the personalized recognition they deserve. PaperDirect has a plethora of award ideas, including certificates of recognition and awards for excellence, special achievements, and simply for going above and beyond the call of learning.
Unique students deserve unique awards. Simply choose a template, then tweak the layout, color scheme, fonts, and other design elements to bring out your child’s personality. Who says certificates of recognition have to be stuffy and serious? Change the title to something creative and whimsical. Toss in your student’s nickname. Reserve a special space for an inside joke. Add photos of your child and images of his or her favorite things to make it an award to remember.
What if you have a bunch of overachievers on your hands? Choose a template to foster group cohesion and team spirit, then give each award a unique finishing touch to boost your kids’ confidence as individuals. Whether your kids are eight or 18, they’ll be happy to have their accomplishments acknowledged.
Once you’re finished designing the award, you can choose to print straight from your desktop, or order a custom print. Pocket-sized or poster-sized, fridge or framed, PaperDirect has a variety of colors, sizes and textures to make your awards pop, all custom-designed and delivered straight to your school or home.
At PaperDirect, It’s as much of a joy to design student awards as it is to hand them out. Proper encouragement is crucial in any endeavor, at any age. A well-designed award tells students that they are appreciated and capable of great things, and inspires them to keep going above and beyond.
While the graduation ceremony itself is the official way to recognize a student’s accomplishment, there’s usually not space for all of the student’s friends and family to attend. That’s why so many families host a graduation party afterwards to celebrate together and give guests a chance to interact with the graduate, not just watch him walk across a stage. Incorporate some of these creative ideas into your graduation party.
Use the School Colors: Anybody can throw a generic graduation party full of black mortarboards and gold diploma scrolls, but you can personalize yours by using the school colors in the theme and decorations. Choose graduation party invitations with the school’s colors in the border, decorate with streamers and balloons, and even incorporate the school mascot if you can.
Set up a Photo Booth: Rather than creating a display with memorabilia from the student’s educational career, encourage guests to use the items as props in a photo booth. Create an area at the party with a camera or laptop set up to take pictures and let guests pose with old sports jerseys, textbooks, backpacks, and trophies.
Make Graduation Cap Treats: You’ll need plenty of finger food at the party, and one creative type is designed to look like a graduation cap. Make miniature ones with small peanut butter cups turned upside down topped with a chocolate square and fruit roll up tassel, or larger ones out of an upside down cupcake with a graham cracker on top and frosting tassel.
The graduation party should be a fun event, with lots of laughter and reminiscing about the student’s time in school. Start planning well in advance, and use PaperDirect to create custom graduation party invitations and graduation announcements to spread the word.
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“If you don’t get those grades up, I’m taking away privileges!”
If you’ve ever uttered these words – or others like them – you’re definitely not alone. As parents, finding the best ways to help your children succeed in school can present a challenge.
But while attempting to change your kid’s behavior by threatening to enact punishments may be a completely natural parenting fallback – and, let’s face it, sometimes just a whole lot easier – it’s actually not the best way to help a struggling student.
Though it may seem counter-intuitive, offering rewards is actually a more effective method of getting your kids (or students) to do what you want.
Here’s why.
Skinner’s Box
The year was 1948, and psychologist B.F. Skinner had a problem. He was trying to do something that many felt impossible – train pigeons. After all, pigeons aren’t exactly known for their staggering intellectual capacity.
After much trial and error, Skinner discovered that if the pigeons received positive reinforcement – in the form of a treat — every time they did what he wanted them to do – which was pushing a tiny lever — the birds learned the desired behavior very rapidly.
Skinner named his method “operant conditioning” – and the fields of psychology, education and behavior management were never the same!
The Power of Positive Reinforcement
If positive reinforcement can work wonders on a bunch of pigeons, just imagine what it can do for your student! Positive reinforcement can be something tangible, like a sticker, a lollipop, or a special certificate acknowledging their improved effort.
Positive reinforcement can also be intangible, like a hug or a smile. Praise is effective, too. When offering verbal positive reinforcement, be specific. Tell your child exactly why you’re proud of them, such as:
“You got most of your spelling words right this week! I can tell you’ve been working hard.”
“I can’t wait to tell the family about the good grade you got in math. How wonderful!”
“Your teacher told me that you’ve been trying harder in class. I’m so proud of you!”
Positive reinforcement works best when it’s delivered immediately after the desired behavior takes place, or at least as close as possible. Best of all, you don’t have to wait until your student’s behavior is absolutely perfect in order to offer positive reinforcement; in fact, you should reinforce every incremental step in order to encourage continuing progress.
Studies show that random rewards are the most effective way to change behavior –so mix it up! Reward all positive behaviors with a smile or a hug, and dole out the special stuff, like treats or certificates, at random intervals. Above all, be consistent and emphasize positive reinforcement over punishment.
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Teachers, are you running out of ideas for student recognition awards? PaperDirect has you covered! While Student of the Month, Most Improved, and Highest Grade Point Average are wonderful award certificates to hand out, there are a lot of creative ideas out there for recognition awards for students of all ages.
Most teachers have such busy schedules that the thought of having to come up with one more creative task can be daunting. PaperDirect is here to help. We have award certificates that can be customized to award anything you choose. Our huge variety of styles will allow you to find certificates you really love. Just fill in the name and date and you have creative recognition awards the students will really appreciate!
Academic Award Ideas
Instead of awarding students for good grades or most improved classroom performance, try these unique award ideas and make any changes necessary to fit the age of the student:
The Albert Einstein Award (future brilliant scientist)
The Lewis and Clark Award (most excited to try explore something new)
The Deep Thinker Award (best problem solver in the class)
The Survivor (the one who never gives up)
The Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost Award (the best poet in the class)
The William Shakespeare Award (best playwright in the class)
Candy Bar Student Awards
The Butterfinger Award (the kid most likely to drop things or break things)
The Payday Award (the kid who forgets his lunch money)
The Three Musketeer Award (always surrounded by friends and supportive of others)
The Almond Joy Award (always happy and optimistic)
The Snickers Award (the class clown always making others laugh)
The Milky Way Award (the student who loves astronomy)
The Watchmacallit Award (the student who forgets the names of things)
The $100,000 Bar Award (the student most likely to be a millionaire)
Other Creative Recognition Awards
The Dale Earnhardt Award (the student who speeds through the hallways and is always told to slow down!)
The Emily Post Award (the most well-mannered student)
The American Idol Award (the kid who loves to sing)
The Bobby Flay Award (the future chef in the class)
The Edgar Allan Poe Award (the kid who loves a good horror story)
The Rolex Award (the student who is always asking what time it is or who watches the clock)
The Patrick Mahomes Award (future football star)
The Dr. Phil Award (the kid always giving advice)
The Anderson Cooper Award (the student who loves current events)
The Barbara Walters Award (for the student who loves asking personal questions)
The Justin Bieber Award (for the student who just loves to perform)
The Joe Biden Award (for the kid who wants to be President)
The Florence Nightingale Award (for the student who loves taking care of others)
This is just a short list to get your creative juices flowing. PaperDirect has hundreds of recognition award certificates for kids. With our “Print Right Now” option, simply customize your certificate and print them out on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper in any color you like. PaperDirect certificates are designed to print on our Perfectly Plain 28lb paper.
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With the new school year just a few weeks away for many students in the United States, it’s time for teachers, other school personnel, and parents to begin thinking of ways to reward students for good grades, improved behavior, better attendance, a more positive attitude, and increased effort, just to name a few. There are a number of student achievements that can be acknowledged with a certificate that you can design and print (with a little help from PaperDirect) in no time at all. Whether you want to print a single certificate or a large number at once, PaperDirect can help you produce lovely, professional-looking student award certificates for all types of school achievements for children of all ages!
Design Your Own Student Achievement Certificates
Standard certificates are inexpensive, and PaperDirect has student achievement templates available to download allowing you to print certificates in a matter of minutes because the layout and wording have already been done for you. All you have to do is put the recipient’s name and date on the certificate and print it out! With the ease and convenience of designing and printing your own student award certificates, what, at first, may have seemed like a daunting task, is a breeze!
Templates for Student Certificates
PaperDirect has templates for virtually every occasion, and if you have a student achievement that requires a certificate of appreciation template that is not featured on our website, making changes to templates is easy. And the certificate design templates are to the exact specifications of the paper so there they will come out perfectly every time.
To really jazz up student achievement certificates, you can order certificate frames for them. Not only do the frames look great, but they will preserve the quality of the certificate, so it can last forever. Low cost, ease of production and flexibility with the student achievements templates make giving student award certificates one of the best parts of a very challenging job!
PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for all your student (and employee) recognition needs. If you need ideas on how to recognize students for a job well done, check out these PaperDirect blogs:
With the new school year quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about ordering top performer trophies for your star students. PaperDirect has a large selection of trophies of all shapes and sizes, and they can be engraved with whatever message you need. Being recognized for a job well done is a very good feeling, and it’s so very important that children of all ages receive some sort of recognition when they do well or even just put forth their best effort but don’t necessarily “win” top honors. Getting a trophy not only inspires the recipient but affects those around the recipient as well.
Even when a student tries to appear too “cool” to receive a trophy or acts like he doesn’treally want it, it’s a natural human emotion to feel pride when you’re rewarded for doing a good job. It’s normal to feel proud
of accomplishing something or being the best at something. Even the coolest kid will probably rush home to show off the trophy and display it in the living room or bedroom with a huge smile on his face. No one is too cool to get a trophy, no matter how hard they try to act like it’s no big deal.
Custom Engraved Top Performers’ Trophies (and Plaques)
With PaperDirect, after you choose the trophy or trophies you like, you can add an engraved logo and the text of your choice to our custom trophies and plaques. You can put the name of the recipient, the date, and the specific name of the award such as “Most Improved Student,” “Highest Math Grade,” “Best Attendance,” or “Most Helpful.” If you’re the mother (or father) of a senior in high school, you may be asked to help out on the graduation ceremony or what is called the Senior Superlatives Night. This is a fun ceremony in which senior are recognized for being the “Funniest,” “Most Likely to Succeed,” “Best Personality,” Prettiest Eyes,” “Best Couple,” “Most Athletic,” and “Best Friends.”
With PaperDirect’s custom engraving, the top performers in your school will have something they can keep forever–something that will become more meaningful to them with each passing year.
Check out these stylish top performer trophies and note the variety of styles and designs PaperDirect offers. With custom engraving on all trophies and plaques and easy online ordering, PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for student recognition and motivation ideas that really work.
If trophies are a bit out of your budget range, there are creative, inexpensive ways to reward students. Check out these PaperDirect blogs for some ideas:
Coming up with creative student recognition ideas can be a challenge with each new school year. PaperDirect is here to help. If you’re a veteran teacher, or even if you’re a rookie, you may be struggling with student recognition ideas so you don’t give out the same old rewards that are given out each year and have come to be less meaningful to the recipients. The first step in the process of buying or making creative student recognition “prizes” for the new school year is to spend some time getting to know your students.
Show Interest by Asking Questions
Many teachers, on the very first day of school, ask their students to fill out a questionnaire so they can find out what their students are “into” when they’re not in school. If you have not tried this, you will find yourself amazed at what some of your students do in their free time. Many have jobs, fascinating hobbies, interesting family lives and other things going on that you’d never suspect had you not shown interest through your questions. Of course, you must be careful to not ask personal questions concerning religion, ethnicity, political beliefs, etc.
If you’re a new teacher, have a veteran teacher review your questions just to make sure they’re “politically correct.” What you may consider an innocent question, such as “What does your father do for a living?” may be a sore subject with a student and cause him/her to shut down and refuse to answer any other questions. Be as neutral and benign in your questions as possible. To be safe, you can make the questionnaire optional or emphasize that the students answer only the questions they feel comfortable addressing.
Match the Reward to the Accomplishment and Student
PaperDirect has a large selection of award certificates, plaques and trophies that you can engrave or design with special messages to your students. Whether it’s most improved, best attendance or highest grade, be sure the reward matches the accomplishment and the student’s personality. If you think a student will find a certificate or plaque corny, then that’s where the creativity must come in. Here are some creative student recognition ideas to get the new year started off right:
Buy the student breakfast
Award privileges to the student (leaving early, running errands to other classrooms, time in the library or media room)
A homework pass
Ice cream party at end of day
Pizza party
Gift cards to favorite hangouts and restaurants
Hand-written thank you card
Positive phone call home to the parents
Lunch with the principal
Lunch off campus
Lunch delivered to the student compliments of the school or teacher
Creative student recognition ideas need not be expensive. Some of the most meaningful rewards for well-deserving students don’t cost any money at all! Check out these PaperDirect blogs to get more ideas about student recognition for the new year:
Teachers know that in order to support student advancement, they need to battle such things as student burnout and lack of motivation on a daily basis using the most effective tools available to them— with 
