Comments on: Presentation Awards - Do They Motivate Kids To Learn?

By: Emma.

Emma. — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:56:21 +0000

Oh yeah, and I’m not surprised about some kids avoiding it… I always felt awkward being singled out that way.

By: Emma.

Emma. — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:54:47 +0000

I’m probably too late… but for what it’s worth. Overall, I don’t think they motivate kids to learn, especially if they focus on achievement rather than effort. Personally, I think there’s way too much focus on rewards and punishment, and too little on engaging, relevant, individualised learning.

By: river

river — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:31:09 +0000

I never enjoyed awards day at school; probably because I never won any…

Could your local bookstore perhaps be motivated to order in a book that the award recipient would love to have? Child goes to bookstore, presents certificate, and asks for the book he or she wants, to the value of the certificate. Of course it would take much longer to gat the prize this way, so probably not such a good idea.

I don’t have any other ideas.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:38:38 +0000

I don’t know about what sort of budget you have, but what about awards that give an experience — like lunch with the local head-honcho of whatever they excelled in, be it sports (a local sporting celebrity), debate (the local mayor), reading (the owner of the local bookstore), etc.
You could get your local paper to take a photo and do a little write-up about it.
Then you’re combining CELEBRITY (which is exceedingly [over-]valued) with the prize.
What do you think? Would it work where you are?

By: Kelli

Kelli — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:28:50 +0000

Sports awards - maybe vouchers for a sports shop or some equipment. Citzenship & contributions to the school community.

I think it is important to have awards that recognise academics, sports and also things like being a good community member, especially for those kids that aren’t academically brilliant or are pretty sporting.

Prizes are tough. OUr school has Katherine’s Prize, which I think is a trophy and is awarded to a year 4 or 5 student who has contributed to the school - it is named after a student who died quite a few years ago & her parents contributed a prize. There is also a corner in the library named after her & so the kids really love this on.

I always liked book prizes, but then I love books. How about vouchers for cool stuff, like bowling, or DVDs (I am assuming you don’t have a cinema), things they can use in the holidays.