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Are you in the final weeks of the school year? Is student motivation starting to slip as Spring Fever takes over your classroom?I have just the solution to keep those students motivated… a First Grade Quality stamp. You won’t believe how powerful that expression can be.
This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links, which helps to support the blog.
My secret to maintaining student motivation can be summed up in two little words:
FIRST GRADE.
There is something so magical about that phrase in May. All I have to do is mention the next grade level and my students sit a little taller, look me right in the eye, and fold their hands in their laps. I’m not kidding!
(In fairness, I think I have the sweetest students ever, but still… it IS pretty amazing!)
I am an opportunist, so I use this expression whenever I can. Here are just a few classroom tasks that I have successfully motivated my students into doing their best at:
We actually made this little concept map together in class when we brainstormed what is so special about First Grade work and First Grade behavior.
I recently decided to take this mindset to the next level and have a little fun on Vistaprint. I made a custom stamp for my classroom that says “First Grade Quality!” Now, instead of a handwritten message from me acknowledging a job well done, my students get a VERY official-looking stamp on their paper. What’s not to love?
Of course, giving their best effort on assignments is only half the job of a kindergartener. They also need to bring their best behavior to school each day. And I don’t need to tell you how difficult classroom management can be during the final weeks of the school year. Fortunately, I have a great solution to that problem as well. Yes, it involves the words “First Grade.”
You can read all about it in this blog post or purchase a set of training badges in my shop. These are such a game changer.
I’m a former kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home mom. I still love sharing ideas and resources to make teaching easier, so you can focus on what really matters in the classroom. When I’m not working on the blog, you’ll find me chasing kids around the house with a cold cup of coffee in my hand (some things never change even once you’re out of the classroom!)
©2021 Kinder Craze. All Rights Reserved.
90 Responses
Our last day is June 26th in NY. I have a K/1 bridge class so these stamps are perfect.
I love, love, love this!!!! Our last day of school is May 21st.
Even if I don’t win I’m going to whip one of these up for myself— great, great idea, Maria!!!
Brittany
Closing the Gap… in a Cute Outfit!
My last day of school is May 24th, but we might have a snow day tomorrow in Missouri, so who knows. Yikes!
Wow! That would be something for a snow day this late in the year and SO close to the end of the school year! Craziness!
Just today, I asked my students if our line was kindergarten line or a first grade line. I too and using 1st grade as a motivator.
I forgot…we get out May 31st!!!!!!
What great idea…I’m with Brittany, I may have to whip one up myself too. Our last day is June 7th.
Terri Izatt
KinderKapers
June 28 is our last day. That sounds like forever!
Priscilla
dearmswong@hotmail.com
Last day for kids is June 21st. Last day for teachers is June 24th. LOVE the stamp – what a great idea!!
Our last day is May 30.
Oh, my word! What a great idea! I always pull the “show me you’re ready for first grade card”. I also use it in the hallway around the first grade teachers, and my students always straighten up and walk so nicely!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Carolyn
Nurturing Noggins
I obviously need to go back to first grade for not following directions. Our last day of school is May 29th.
We’re in school until June 19th this year – HOORAY for no snow days to make up!!!
Last day is May 31! Can’t wait 🙂
What a great idea! Kudos!!
I am done with school May 31st. I can’t wait!
I thought June 6 was a great date to be done until I saw all of you done in May! I teach K and have been reminding my kiddos to act like First graders. 22.lrosloniec@nhamail.com
Our last day is May 31!!!!!!!!
Our last day is May 30th! so close!
Our last day is June 11th! I try not to count down because then it seems to take even longer!!! My kinders are rocking it this year…showing the first graders how to walk quietly in the hall!
Our last day is June 6!
June 7th. My kids would love this!
Crystal Shepherd
lucytumnus@gmail.com
The lamppost in 1st grade math
Our last day of school is May 24, half day! So ready to be on the boat this summer but will miss this wonderful class!
June 7th is the end of the school year.
My last day of school is June 21st. dbednarsk@yahoo.com
Our last day is May 23. Love your idea!
Michelle
mcoop1125@gmail.com
My last day is June 7th, 24 days to go.
If I win, I would really need the 2nd grade stamp. I didn’t realize there were 2 rafflecopters and started filling out the first 1. Then I saw the second grade 1. oops!
That stamp is great! I am always using that terminology at the end of the year.
Jessica
Tales of a First Grade Teacher
My last day is either May 23 or 24th.. I can’t remember right now! I love this stamp. It’s too cute!
Sarah
Love this stamp!!! msemmasedventure@gmail.com Last Day of school is June 14
I LOVE the stamp! I NEED that stamp! LOL! Thanks for the opportunity to win! My last day is June 6.
Ѽ Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
luvyorkies@gmail.com
Our last day of school is May 30. So close!
Awesome idea! I also use the first grade card the last month of the school year and have noticed a great improvement in student effort/work. Never thought of making a stamp. Thanks for sharing! Our last day of school is June 6th.
This looks great! Our last day is June 7….
kellybrown28021@gmail.com
My last day is June 4! ilovekdgt@gmail.com
Sara
Polka Dot Kinders
It’s so true!! They really do sit alittle bit taller when you mention 2nd grade 🙂 would love this!
Ashley Sanderson
Flying High in First Grade
And my last day is June 7! Can’t come fast enough!
Our last day is June 20th….still a while to go!
Lslouka@msn.com
Our last day is May 22nd!!!
Our last day is June 11. We were on strike for two weeks in October so our year is running late…
Love the stamp! What an awesome idea! 😀
This is such a great idea! Love it! -Sarah Doyle
my last day of school is june 24th! love these stamps!!!!
katie.neustadter@gmail.com
What a fun giveaway! We are out on May 31st!
-Andrea
simmonsa1@sfusd.edu
cielobella@aol.com
I love this stamp! My last day is June 7th!
Cheryl
crayonsandcurls(at)gmail(dot)com
Crayons and Curls
Fun stamp idea! The students’ last day for us is June 13.
lorepuckett at verizon dot net
Our last day is May 28th for our students but May 30th for teachers! 🙂 veronica.varela@live.com
May 29th and then I start tutoring for the summer on June 3rd. I will have to get my classroom cleaned out quick! Alicia
My last day is May 31. Almost there!
Shibahn
Mrs. Landry’s Land of Learning
What a great idea for getting them a little more motivated at the end of the year. Our last day is the 23rd of May. I hate saying goodbye to my little ones.
Cute idea! Our last day will be May 24th.
My last day is May 23rd! 14 Days!!!
Oh my gosh, this idea is brilliant!! Thank you! I seriously need this stamp! Our last day is June 13th – can’t wait!
Molly
Lucky to Be in First
May 22nd! Woohoo!
Mandi
MOORE Fun In Kindergarten
May 23rd I think!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
Love this idea…my kids were being loud in the hall and saw one of the first grade teachers and straightened right up because I told them he was looking to see who was ready for first grade. We are done May 24th– Wahoo!
What a great idea! I love the stamp! I also tell my kinders that if they don’t act like big kids, they won’t get to move up to first (like I’m really going to fail them…haha) Our last day is May 31st!
Melinda
melchase@live.com
How Cool, I teacher kinder the last day of school June 6, 2013.
Grace
gbinelo@binelo.com
May 29!!
What a GREAT idea!
Our last day is June 6
Super fun idea. My kiddos would LOVE this! Our last day is May 31
I love this idea! My kids would so love it!!! Our last day is June 6th.
I am teaching overseas this year and our last day is June 20. I would love to motivate my kids for the last 6 weeks!
The kids are done on the 24th. My last day is the 28th.
MY last day is June 5th! My school’s is June 7…I’ll be in London on my school’s last day…Woot!!
Jenny
Owl Things First
We have 15 days to go, and I CAN’T WAIT!
Dina
dnhabc123@comcast.net
Our last day is June 26 wahhhh so far away!
Justwildaboutteaching.blogspot.com
June 29th! KILL me now! I need this stamp because I have a long way to go!
My last day of school is May 31. We are going to go strong until May 30! The first grade quality stamp sounds awesome!
Cindy
We don’t end until June!! 4 more Mondays!!:)
Amanda
Mrs. Richardson’s Class
My last day is May 24th and I have 15 days left. Then we have post-planning after having a three day weekend! UGH!!! Love the first grade stamp!
Deb at Fabulously First
Only 3 weeks left for me! I hope I win!
Linda
AroundtheKampfire
June 5th for kids…. June 7th for teachers! Although I need a few extra than that for myself!
Daina
Sticky Notes & Glitter: A First Grade Adventure!
Summer Vacation officially begins on June 15th. Last day with kids will be on June 6th. Closing Service in June 7th…then end of the year meetings.
Deb81992@yahoo.com
Last Day is June 12th for students, June 13th for Staff
Last day is May 24th
Student last day is June 7th Teachers June 11th
Love this idea. Students’ last day in June 5th and our last day is June 7th.
Our last day is June 6. Love this idea for the stamp.
lmm
lorimoore@satx.rr.com
May 25! WHOOP! WHOOP! wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail.com
June 6th! Im a kindergarten teacher so this would go great!
May 30 is our last day of school, last work day is June 3 and we go back 7/30
Our last day is on June 6th… and it ends with a gigantic school wide carnival and field day!
My last day is May 30th…Then I start summer school two weeks later.
May 24th!! Thanks for a great giveaway. Such a great idea.
April
Wolfelicious
kreitzer29@hotmail.com
I accidentally entered for the first grade stamp too and then realized there was the one for second grade which would be the one I would need if I won! What an awesome idea… I think this idea with definitely motivate my students! Our last day is June 7th! rmitchell@asheboro.k12.nc.us
I saw this on pinterest and hate that I missed it. I love the idea!! What font did you use for the Keeping em motivated phrase? I love it!! Thanks for this fab idea!
Ashleybowlesreed@hotmail.com
Maria, I was just on Vista Print and tried to make one of these. But I couldn’t get the word First to be as large as yours is. Can I ask what font and size you used?
This is my first year teaching and I love this idea to use with my Kinders!! I just downloaded the badges to begin tomorrow. I would really love the stamp but even if I would win, I’m not sure it would be in by our last day, May 20th! Luckily I will be teaching kindergarten again next year so I may have to look into getting me this stamp, no matter the outcome of the raffle!! Thanks for all the great ideas!! 🙂
What a fantastic idea! Last day with kids is 6/10.
I also use first graders as a motivation, but you moved it up a notch. What a great idea.