The end of the school year can be a time of reflection. I like to help my students reflect by having them make a Third-Grade Book of Memories.
They start out recalling and recording what they were thinking and feeling before they ever met me as well as their feelings on the first day of school. Then they answer questions like “What is my favorite subject?” or “What is my favorite related-arts class?”
On other pages they recount memorable events or special days in third grade. They do a short write-up about each one and draw a picture of it. We remember all the books we have read aloud, and they comment about their favorites. Then they pick which classroom behavior contest they enjoyed the most. And at the back of the book is a blank page for autographs of friends. All year long, I accumulate my students’ writing projects in a special folder for each of them. These become the final entry in their books.
The memory book is something they can take home to share with their families about things that have happened in our classroom. I think it is something parents will look back on for years to come.
What do you do in your room to help your students remember your class?