Who doesn't love a good photo album/memory book? Looking back on years past and feeling nostalgic about great times... Because of my nostalgic spirit, I created a "Memory Book" for my students last summer. This past year {2013-2014} was the first time I implemented it and...it was a HIT!!! I am excited to share more about it with you today.
In years past, I would find myself taking 10,000 pictures of my kids and then paying $10,000 to get them printed off. I would try to come up with let's say 20 or so photos per kid. Like I said-$10,000 to print them! I would cut up a bazillion pieces of construction paper and make little "scrapbooks" for the kids. They would get to glue their pictures in and I'd have to laminate the covers and figure out a way to get a hole punch through 20-some memory books. All while thinking of the ever-growing end-of-year to-do list. I knew there had to be a better way to capture those memories throughout the year, without spending a fortune, and without spending lots of time. That's when "Makin' Memories" was born!
Here's how it works: I print off the memory book pages for the year {you can do one month at a time if this stresses you out!}. Each month, I distribute ONE page {for that month} to my kids {this is a whole-group activity}. I pass out patterns {where necessary} and craft supplies and they create that month's memory page. The crafts are simple-no paint, just scrapbook paper, glitter pens, and of course, googly eyes and pom-poms! We let the pages dry and I file them away. Repeat for every month. Come May/June, BAM! You have an entire year's worth of memories! Yes, there are a few photos included...1st day, last day, etc...but this project only costs pennies compared to what I had been spending! So back to May/June-I put the books in order {great time to recruit an older student!}, have the kids decorate a cover, and use the binding machine {or stapler or yarn} to hook those suckers together. I distribute them during our Poetry Cafe at the end of the year and both parents and kids alike cheer! It's amazing. Why didn't I think of it sooner?
Below are some photos from the memory book! Take a peek! I know you will love it as much as I do!
xo
Megan
In years past, I would find myself taking 10,000 pictures of my kids and then paying $10,000 to get them printed off. I would try to come up with let's say 20 or so photos per kid. Like I said-$10,000 to print them! I would cut up a bazillion pieces of construction paper and make little "scrapbooks" for the kids. They would get to glue their pictures in and I'd have to laminate the covers and figure out a way to get a hole punch through 20-some memory books. All while thinking of the ever-growing end-of-year to-do list. I knew there had to be a better way to capture those memories throughout the year, without spending a fortune, and without spending lots of time. That's when "Makin' Memories" was born!
Here's how it works: I print off the memory book pages for the year {you can do one month at a time if this stresses you out!}. Each month, I distribute ONE page {for that month} to my kids {this is a whole-group activity}. I pass out patterns {where necessary} and craft supplies and they create that month's memory page. The crafts are simple-no paint, just scrapbook paper, glitter pens, and of course, googly eyes and pom-poms! We let the pages dry and I file them away. Repeat for every month. Come May/June, BAM! You have an entire year's worth of memories! Yes, there are a few photos included...1st day, last day, etc...but this project only costs pennies compared to what I had been spending! So back to May/June-I put the books in order {great time to recruit an older student!}, have the kids decorate a cover, and use the binding machine {or stapler or yarn} to hook those suckers together. I distribute them during our Poetry Cafe at the end of the year and both parents and kids alike cheer! It's amazing. Why didn't I think of it sooner?
Below are some photos from the memory book! Take a peek! I know you will love it as much as I do!
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Megan
Very cute!
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