How to Get Your Kindergartners Excited for First Grade

1. 'Notebook Paper' Shirts

Not only is this a fun activity for your kids in the classroom, but it's also something parents will certainly appreciate as a memento of the end of their child's kindergarten year and get them ready to transition into first grade.

Use this tutorial to easily turn plain white T-shirts into "notebook paper" for each pint-sized member of your class. During your end of the year celebration, instruct your class members wear their shirts and then- in yearbook fashion, have everyone sign each other's! Don't forget to wear your own! 

2. Red Carpet Roll-Out Awards Ceremony

This little activity gives personalized attention to each and every member of your special kindergarten class before they move on to the first grade. All you need supply-wise is a big piece of red paper (the teacher who created this idea used red butcher paper) and some paper award certificates, which you can make here for no cost. 

During your end of the year celebration, use the red butcher paper to make a red carpet that each student must walk one-by-one before "officially" becoming a first grader. At the end of his or her walk, present him or her with a special award that recognizes an individual achievement. See the idea's inspiration here.

3. "I'm a First Grader!" Photo Shoot

Several teachers have come up with ideas to get soon-to-be graduated Kindergartners excited about the first grade by giving them an individual photo shoot. If you're feeling creative and have extra time on your hands, you can make this adorable picture frame that says "I'm a Kinder Graduate!" and snap pictures of your graduates holding it to frame their faces. Check out one teacher's frame here. 

For an easier way if you're restricted on time and resources, you can simply use heavy duty construction paper to create a thought bubble that says "I'm a First Grader!" which an example of can be seen here. 

4. Ready for First Grade Bulletin Board

Let your kids help create your "Ready for 1st Grade" bulletin board.

Using some paint, get your bulletin board started by painting enough flower stems for every child in your class. Have them finish the "flowers" by dipping their hands in paint and pressing them above the stem to make their own hand-print flowers.

Use coffee filters, which you can have your kids tye-dye individually, and make butterfly wings for butterflies to accompany the flowers.

Finish off the board with the words "Spring Up... We are Ready for 1st Grade!"

See the example of the teacher who created this bulletin board idea here for more inspiration. 

5. "Jump Into First Grade" Gift

What child doesn't love a present? One great idea for an end-of-the-year party favor to get your kids excited about their transition into first grade is to gift them a jump rope.

Make a simple and inexpensive jump rope a great gift by putting a gift tag on each one that says "You are ready to jump into first grade." Not only is it sweet, it's a great way to get kids moving with his or her own jump rope. Check out a teacher's example here. 

Compiled by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

04/22/2015