We're in the homestretch.
The countdown is underway... only 26 days until Summer Break!
We can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Every year is different and yet the same as well. You start the year all cheerful and excited. The holidays in the beginning help you to push through. Then there's the hope of Spring Break to looks towards... and finally the long stretch until Summer Break!
Somehow any craziness that happens throughout the year is blocked out and hidden away as you just put your head down and fight through the last weeks to finish. Then by some secret magic or maybe a hidden talent we teachers have, the summer refuels our bodies and reenergizes us to start all over again! Yes, we're probably a bit crazy to do this job day in and day out. It's draining, frustrating, and tiring every day. But, OH SO REWARDING!
So, how do we make it through these last weeks while maintaining our sanity? FUN and EXCITING activities of course! Every year I always looked forward to creating a Memory Book for students to fill out and reflect upon our year.
Somehow students have the AMAZING capability to remember all those funny, embarrassing, and nothing to do with academics, moments that happen in our classrooms. It's in activities like these that we're reminded of all the JOYS of teaching, and therefore reminded of how it's all worth it!
Over the years I've mix and matched and recreated pages to put together for an end-of-the-year Memory Book for my students and their families. I say their families because I included A LOT of pictures, art work, and other 'memorabilia' that create more of a keepsake of our year together.
After starting to create resources on TpT, I knew I wanted to create a new Memory Book so others would have the chance to create these keepsakes for their students as well. I'm hoping to add on to this resource with activities to complete throughout the entire school year, and not just remembering at the end of the year, but that'll have to wait until I have more free time. AKA Summer Break!
So, what did I come up with? 14 different pages to complete as the end of the year comes to a close. Each Memory Book includes a cover page for your specific grade level as well. Simply print the pages and staple together for an easy NO PREP activity to use in the last weeks of school.
OR.. you can step it up a notch and create more of a 'keepsake' for your students and their families by completing the cover first and then laminating and binding them into a booklet with the pages inside. This option takes just a little prep on your part, but a handy volunteer can easily laminate covers if possible, as well as binding the booklets! Then they're ready to hand out and have students work on the Memory Book pages inside.
Here's a 4th grade Cover example:
After coloring:
Here's a 6th grade Cover example that's been laminated and bound into a booklet:
Memory Book pages: (includes 2 autograph pages not pictured)
Memory Books are a fun way to wrap up at the end of the year. Students enjoy filling out each page with their memories and reflect on all their learning. It helps to give closure to the school year as well and beginning to think about next year.
Having independent work that students actually want to complete is invaluable at this point in the school year! Am I right?
Here's the link to check out this resource and start incorporating this fun activity to your end of the year traditions. Plus it gives students and their families a keepsake to remember the year. Win win!
Let me know if you check it out and how it works? Are there pages you would like to have added? Let me know that too, and I can always revise to make it better!
Thanks for reading this far... enjoy the rest of the school year teacher friends. We can do this, we're almost there!
Find your balance,
Shelby
