Senior Memory Book Assignment - Brewer's College Prep



Senior Memory Book Assignment

This is more than just another writing assignment – it is a project. It will take the entire school year to complete, and most of it will be done outside of school. There are 16 chapters to construct; these will be submitted bi-monthly. Each block of chapters will have a specific due date and set criteria; one entry due every two weeks. As each block of chapters is returned to you, you will revise it if necessary and keep it in an attractive way in a large binder or photo album. The entire album will be turned in at the close of the assignment for an overall project grade.

Each chapter needs to be typed, double-spaced with a minimum of one page/250 words typed in New Times Roman 12 font. Hand written entries will not be accepted. Each page should have no less that 250 words. You will need to proofread and edit before turning in for a grade. When you submit your final project, you may also want to include pictures, items you have collected over the years, examples of your schoolwork, etc. Creativity is always rewarded.

CHAPTER 1 – “My Heritage”

Due Date: Wednesday 8/20

Write a description of your ethnic background, being sure to include both parents’ genealogy. Do some research. Things you may want to use or include are important or unusual persons in your family, family history pamphlets from family reunions, etc., library or internet research on your family name or on the country from which your ancestors came.

CHAPTER 2 – “Before I Was, There Were …”

Due Date: 9/3

Make or obtain a family tree chart. Then write a brief description of your family tree; tell about folks who were around before you were born: grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and older siblings. Interview at least three people in your family who were living before you were born and include quotes from them in your chapter.

( Extra credit: Have one of your relatives write a brief reflection about your family before you were born (such as your parents’ marriage, births of older siblings, etc.)

CHAPTER 3 – “The People in My Life”

2 bios. minimum, Due Date: 9/17

This chapter will be a collective biography. Write a biography of at least two family members. Interview family members about what it was like for them growing up and how things are different now than they were back then.

( Extra credit: You may include as many additional biographies as you want; in fact, this is a section that you may want to keep coming back to throughout the duration of the project to add more information.

CHAPTER 4 – “Family Lore”

2stories minimum Due Date: 10/1

Collect at least 2 family stories from a variety of family members. These can be about you or about someone else in your family. You may want to try to find one story about each member of your family, or you may want to write, either via e-mail or regular mail, to that person. Encourage the person to be as detailed as possible and even to provide pictures if possible (photocopies are fine).

Put the five stories together in whatever logical order you feel is best, and then write an introduction and a conclusion. If you write the story in that person’s voice, identify the teller and his/her relationship to you.

( Extra credit: Have one or more family members write out their own stories, in addition to the five required. Have the person write it in his or her own handwriting and sign the reflection. This would be especially meaningful from older relatives.

CHAPTER 5 – “Suddenly, I Became Me”

Due Date: 10/15

When and where were you born? Were there any unusual or humorous circumstances surrounding your birth? How was your name chosen; what does it mean? What was going on in the world on the day you were born; with whom do you share a birthday? What were the first couple of years of your life like? (Look back at your baby book – first tooth? first word? first step?) What memories do you have of your first five years, if any? What are some of those stories your mom tells that you wish she wouldn’t? Some resources you might check are your baby book, photo albums, and family members.

CHAPTER 6 & CHAPTER 7 – “School Bells”

Due Date: 10/29

Write about kindergarten through Grade 3 – first day jitters, fears, anticipation; learning to read and write; special friends, teachers; school programs (did you play a tree in a school production?), etc. Tell about where you lived during this time and the schools you attended. Include favorite childhood activities you enjoyed during this period of your life. How has your family changed from Chapter 5? This is a good place to include some of your early schoolwork or artwork when you put the final book together.

Chapter 7 – “More School Bells” –

Cover grades 4-6 – you are the top guy on the totem pole in elementary school. Or did you move and have to start all over again with new friends and teachers? You start making “best friends”. Discuss how you have changed since your early school years. How have you changed physically? Remember those Bugs Bunny teeth we all seemed to have in fourth grade? What new hobbies and activities were you becoming interested in? How has your family changed in the past few years? Check out your photo albums, school memory books or elementary yearbooks to help you remember, or ask your parents.

CHAPTER 8 – “I Grew Up Here!”

Due Date: 11/12

Write about your home and neighborhood. You may have moved around a bit; if so, include information about all the homes you’ve live in. Describe your bedroom over the years. How did your space change as you grew? Describe the colors, decorations, etc. of your various rooms. Was there one special hangout or secret place that all the kids went to? Check with your parents and friends, and look at old photos of places you’ve lived.

CHAPTER 9 – “Junior High: Growing Pains, Crushes, and Being a Good Sport”

Due Date: 12/3

Okay, you’re not a “little kid” anymore. Cover grades 7-8 How was your first day at junior high? How did the work change that year? Did you still like school? Write about the first crush you had. Who was it? What happened to that person? Did you become active in sports during this time? Which ones? What were some of the “growing pains” that you went through during this pre-adolescent time in your life? Your body was beginning to change; girls outgrew boys. This was a clumsy period – how did you ever survive it? How did your relationship with friends and with the opposite sex change? Tell about your teachers, friends, activities, successes, heartbreaks, accomplishments, etc.

CHAPTER 10 – “I Wish I Could See _______________ Again!”

Due Date: 12/17

Tell about a childhood friend, neighbor, or teacher that you have no contact with anymore, but would like to see again. What was your relationship with that person like back then? What happened to change that? Why would you like to see this person now? What would you tell that person?

CHAPTER 11 – “Besides My Parents, There Was …”

Due Date: 1/14

Write about the one most influential person, other than your parents, in your life. I know this is difficult to do, but don’t waffle here and try to select more than one. Do some soul searching and choose the ONE person who has been the MOST influential. Tell why you chose this person.

CHAPTER 12 – “New Kid on the Block”

Due Date: 1/28

This is your freshman year: “Wanna buy an elevator pass, Kid?” “Hey, don’t mess with me or I’ll stuff you in a locker!” Wow! Remember those days when YOU were the new kid and it seemed as if everyone else was a whole foot taller than you? Remember coming to the BIG school and thinking you would never find your way around? How was your freshman year? What were some of your anxieties? How was the transition from junior high to high school? What were some of the myths you heard about high school? Were any of them true? How did you manage to “fit in” to high school life – pep rallies, ballgames, homecoming, clubs, new subjects, new teachers, new building, new friends? No one likes to do this, but find your freshman yearbook or a photo album and look at your picture.

*CHAPTER 13 & CHAPTER 14 – “Sophomore and Junior Year”

Due Date: 2/11

Do the same thing you did with freshman year. Only now you are a little more comfortable. Write about learning to drive, beginning to date, getting that first job, becoming more involved in school, etc.

Prom, class rings, moving up the class ladder – still not at the top but within sight of it. Write about your junior year. What were your best and worst subjects? Teachers? Did you join any new teams or clubs? Did you get your senior ring? Your senior portrait? How did it turn out?

CHAPTER 15 – “At Last, I’m a Senior!”

Due Date: 2/25

Write a reflection of your senior year so far – paying those dues, choosing graduation invitations, getting measured for cap and gown, having your own parking spot! How did it feel to go through all those “lasts” – last time for summer reading (grin), last fall pep rally, last Spirit Week, last football game? Was it everything you expected, or was it a little different? How did YOU treat this year’s freshmen? What are you feeling now, as you get ready to embark on a new chapter of your life?

EPILOGUE – “If I Could Live My Life Over Again, I Would …” OR “Why I Would Not Change Anything About My Life”

Due Date: 4/1 – (This is not an April Fools Joke)

Write at least a thoughtful, reflective paragraph. I would not change a thing is not acceptable. The length is up to you.

That’s it. Now it’s time to put the finishing touches on your book as a whole. Add pictures and mementos. Decorate the outside to reflect who you are. Be creative and have fun! Remember, this is your legacy!

If your Senior Memory Book is complete and shows some creativity and thought, your final grade will be no less than an 80. The more thorough and the more creative you are in decorating your book and pages and sections with drawings, pictures, photographs, stuff cut out of magazines, newspapers, or brochures, the higher your grade will be. Any book that does not contain all 16 chapters will receive a lower grade, no matter how fancy it is. Any book that is a bunch of “junk” will not receive a grade.

COMPLETED PROJECT DUE DATE: 4/01/2015

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