In my experience, the last week of school can be a tricky time for students (and let’s face it – for teachers, too!). The last week brings up all kinds of “big” feelings – excitement for summer break, the sadness of saying goodbye, and everything in between! As the year winds down, I find many students also start to “check out” well before the final bell, which can be a real challenge!

I don’t know if there’s a foolproof way to beat the end-of-year “blahs,” but I’d like to share what works best for me at this time of year. It’s important to me that end-of-year activities are meaningful, and maximize the remaining time with students. One task I really love for this is my End of the Year Memory Book activity. With a little bit of creativity, students can create a keepsake book that also allows them to reflect on how far they’ve come over the past year! Here’s how it works…

Activity Purpose:

The End of the Year Memory Book is the perfect way to end the year on a reflective note. As students complete each page in their personal memory book, they will reflect on their learning, as well as other significant highlights of the year! Students can personalize their book in any way they like, with colors and drawings that reflect their own unique qualities.

Materials:

One of the things I like best about this memory book activity is how low-prep it is! The end of the year is an incredibly busy time for teachers, and I think there is real value in a resource you can simply print and photocopy! Depending on the size of the booklet you want students to create, you can print the End of Year Memory Book in either full or half size.

You may choose to spread out this activity over a few days, focusing on one or two pages at a time. Or, you may prefer to staple all the pages of the book together and distribute them to students all at once for them to complete in their own order. 

Title Page:

Setting the stage for the book, the title page serves as a personalized introduction. Here, I like to encourage students to express their identity by attaching or drawing an image, along with their name and grade. This creative and individual touch sets the tone for the entire memory book.

If students have a tough time thinking of an image, encourage them to think outside the box! For example, they might like to create a self-portrait, draw a symbol that represents a special moment or event from the year, or even consider something more abstract!

Favorites:

The Favorites page is a place for students to reflect on their favorite movies, music, and books from the year, capturing a snapshot of their personal tastes and preferences. I like to think that if students ever find their End of Year Memory Book in the future, this page will give them a good idea of who they were at this moment in time!

In this section, students can expand on why they love what they love, and enhance their words with images and drawings.

Best Moments: 

Next, students can write about (and illustrate!) some of their highlights from the year. I think it’s important for students to understand that “highlights” can look different from person to person. For some, this section might commemorate a special moment at school while for others, special highlights might come in the form of a visit with a friend, something exciting that happened at home, or during an extracurricular activity.

As students complete this part of their memory book, I like to remind them that while special events might seem fresh in their minds right now, they can fade with time! To help them preserve their memories, invite them to use rich and vivid details, and include photos or drawings to enhance their descriptions.

Personal Connection:

Now it’s time for students to reflect on two impactful relationships they have formed over the course of the year. In the Personal Connection section, students identify and reflect on two people who have had a significant influence on their life over the past year. These individuals could be anyone who has offered guidance, support, or simply brightened their day! Students may wish to consider recognizing family members, coaches, teachers, friends, or any other person they feel a strong connection with.

Working on this section of the End of Year Memory Book might also inspire students to write a quick note of thanks to these individuals! If time permits, you might even like to formally extend this activity and support students as they express gratitude to those who have helped them throughout the year.

How I Have Changed:

One of the most moving and powerful sections of the memory book activity invites students to reflect on their personal growth and development over the course of the year. It always amazes me how much “growing up” students do over the course of a school year. Here, they can consider how they have changed (physically, mentally, socially, or emotionally) from the beginning to the end of the year. For example, a student might have changed their personal style significantly, or they might have tried out a new hobby!

As they reflect on how they have evolved, they can also consider whether they are satisfied with these changes. Photos, drawings, or other images can also help to convey these significant transitions.

Autographs Page:

Do you remember the excitement of receiving your middle or high school yearbook and collecting your classmates’ signatures? Recapture this feeling for your students on the final page of the End of Year Memory Book, where they can sign each others’ memory books, and share jokes, kind words, and other messages of friendship.

Completing the memory book activity could become a memory in and of itself. You never know – some students may keep their personalized booklet for years to come!

There you go! I hope this activity gives your students a meaningful opportunity to reflect on their year – and create a cool keepsake at the same time!

Looking for more memorable activities to try with your students during the last week of school? Check out my blog post on What to Do the Last Week of School in Middle School ELA!