So many wonderful and cute ideas are out there regarding preschool and kindergarten graduations. Here are a few ideas for throwing a successful school graduation:
Before Graduation:
-Pat on the Back: The week before the graduation, have each student bring in a white t-shirt. On the front of the shirt, the teacher can write the name of the student to whom the shirt belongs. The rest of the students will take turns painting the back of the shirt with their handprints. Then, teachers can take fabric paint in a different color and write the name of the student who made each handprint. This sends a great message of a job well-done and gives them a special keepsake. Children can wear their shirts during graduation.
-Don’t forget the mortarboard! Each student will need a square (approx. 12″ across) of poster board in the school/class color or a cut square of cardboard that will be painted in the school/class color. Once each child has a square, take another square of the same size and color and cut out triangles at each corner. Fold the corners up, tape in place (staples will catch in children’s hair so if they are used they should be covered with tape, also) so that a cup is formed that will fit on the children’s heads. Take either a pre-made tassel or heavy-duty string or yarn that has been braided and tied at the end to form a tassel and attach to the top of the flat square with a brad. Tape a piece of paper over the underside of the square so the brad will not catch in hair. Next, attach the “cup” to the large square.
Graduation:
-Welcome the parents to the classroom. Begin with a few graduation songs that the children have learned, such as “Welcome to Our Celebration” by Jean Warren found on Preschoolexpress.com.
-Slide-show their accomplishments: Create a power-point with all of the pictures that have been taken of the class throughout the year. If possible, it would be nice to have a first-day picture next to a graduation picture of each child. Or, you could make a video showing each child’s response to a question you asked them, such as, “What did you learn in Preschool/Kindergarten?”
-Read “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. Even if it is a little long, just skip some of the pages to fit time constraints. Use each child’s name at least once to make it more personal. This book fits the subject matter perfectly and is always enjoyable.
-Introduce each child as they march across the front of the classroom. Give them a rolled-up “diploma” and have the turn their tassel from the right side of their cap to the left side of their cap.
-Awards: Hand-out awards after each child has been introduced.
-End the ceremony with another song and invite the parents to walk around the room, look at all their children have accomplished, and have some refreshments.
