As the school year comes to a close, it is the perfect time to have your students create an end of year memory book. It makes such a beautiful keepsake for the future and keeps students busy on a meaningful activity while you work on all those end of the year tasks.
End of Year Memory Book Ideas
End of the year memory books can be as small or as big as you’d like. You can make a standard one for all of your students, or you can print out pages and have them choose the ones they would like to use. I generally like to keep them concise and standard.
Here are a few ideas of what you can include in the memory book.
1. All About Me
How fun would it be to go back in time and see what your favorite movie, tv show, color, or even snacks were when you were the age of the students you teach? Give students the opportunity to reflect on some of their favorites this year.
Give students the opportunity to make a few predictions into their future. What will they be when they get older? Where would they like to live? In the future, it will be fun to compare where they ended up.
2. Names
Do you remember the name of your principal and assistant principal? How about the names of all of your classmates of the grade you teach? While I remember the name of my assistant principal, Ms. Nixon, I do not remember the name of my principal. Fun fact: I also remember she loved owls. Not sure why that random fact stayed with me, but it did.
Looking back at a roster of names is not only fun, but it also helps trigger memories of those in your class. Have your students write each of their classmates names or print out a roster for them to glue into their memory book.
3. A Day in the Life
Have students record what a typical day is like. What time do they wake up at? What is their usual breakfast? How do they get to school? What time does school start at? What times does school end at?
4. School Favorites
Ask students to write some of their favorites about school this year. Who is their favorite teacher? Where do they like to hang out on school grounds? What is their favorite subject this year? What is their favorite school lunch?
Another fun fact about my elementary school years. My mom would pack us lunch every single day Monday – Thursday. Fridays were pizza and tater tots day. My parents let us buy lunch on that day. I loved getting in the lunch line to grab my tray with that little square-cut pizza and tater tots. Do you remember your favorite school lunch?
5. Books Read
Reading is a big part of the school year. We encourage students to find books or book series they enjoy reading. We also incorporate class novels throughout the year. Have students document their favorites of this year and document one the class novels they read.
6. Subjects and Special Areas
There is so much covered within the different subjects and so many experiences throughout the year in special area classes. Give students the opportunity to write about some fun memories they experienced throughout the year. Have them write down their teachers’ names and things they learned about in those classes.
7. Field Trips
What kid doesn’t love to go on field trips? It truly is one of the highlights of the year. Have students document the field trips they attended this year and some of the special memories experienced.
8. About My Teacher
Okay! THIS is my favorite option. You have worked hard this year to make it fun and memorable for your students. Have them document what has stuck with them this year. Have them reflect on a life lesson you have taught them that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.
You can even have some extra fun with this page and have them share what they’ve written with you. It will truly make you feel proud of all the wonderful experiences you have provided for your students.
9. Superlatives
Do you remember superlatives in high school? Have your students create their very own in their end of year memory book. Have them include topics such as the funniest, most artistic, and most athletic.
10. Current Events
What has gone on in your town or city this year? What eventful current events have happened in the country or world this year? Have students document some of these. Include things that would interest them such as teams that have won National titles or the prices of everyday items?
11. Autographs
Okay. I know I said the About My Teacher was my favorite, but this is a very close second. Give students the opportunity to sign autographs. First of all, seeing students write some nice things to each other is a feel good feeling. Secondly, watching students try to write their names in cursive makes me giggle.
You can definitely do a quick little lesson on how to sign their names in cursive. This would also make a fun end of the year activity.
If you’d like a fun, concise, done for you End of Year Memory Book, I’ve created one that you can use with your students. It is perfect for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. It includes 10 pages, 1 autograph page, and three different cover options.
