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The year 2015 has drawn to a close, but the academic year is only half way through. While assemblies have already taken place and awards have been distributed, classes will start up again soon and schools will be planning their next awards assembly before they know it.

But with assemblies taking place every year and the same awards being given out time and time again, it’s easy for kids to lose sight of what to strive for. Kids, especially elementary school aged kids thrive on positive reinforcement and rewards, so how do parents and teachers keep them focused on what’s important? Here are just a few ideas to change up next year’s awards assembly:

1.  Reward Good Character

Educators are big on encouraging academics. Assemblies almost always reward students for their excellence in different subjects, but they often forget to push other important traits such as helpfulness, determination and compassion—traits all too important to forget.

2. Make it Interactive

Sitting still is a bit of a challenge for a lot of kids, especially if they’re required to sit even longer for any reason besides learning in a classroom. Kids can get antsy and even bored during awards assemblies making them a not-so-fun event they are required to attend. Activities such as sing-alongs (depending on the student ages), magicians and animal shows can make for more excited and engaged students.

3.  Let Students Participate

Involving students with events like these is a great way to help students become more interested in the material of the assembly. Including student groups like choir, drama clubs and other performing arts can also help students feel like they are an important part of the event whether they’re being awarded or not. It can also help tremendously as—chances are—students would rather see their peers up on stage than hear the regular assembly speeches of adults.

4. Give Them an Award They’ll Always Remember

Most awards for students come in the form of paper or ribbons. But whether the award is meant to last for years to come or not, awards like these are special to kids and often something they hold on to for a long time. So why not reward the students who deserve it with their very own plaque build to last for many years to come? Visit www.presentaplaque.com to order plaques for your next big assembly.