What was your middle schooler's learning passion? Was it digging into the history of other countries? Diving into young adult literature? Or maybe it was that first introduction to algebra that turned on her learning light bulb? Whatever it was that made her want to put her thinking cap on, this activity helps her celebrate her favorite subject with a twist-on-a-classic yearbook. Rather than pictures of clubs and social activities, this yearbook will chronicle your eighth grader's adventure in learning.
What You Need:
- Blank journal
- Pen
- Glue or tape
- Markers
- School assignments, tests, or notes
- Awards
- Pictures and photos
What to Do:
- Ask your child to choose her favorite subject from middle school. Encourage her to think about key factors, such as her favorite project, most inspiring teacher, and the interesting topics that she was introduced to in various classes.
- Once she's decided, invite her to design the cover to look like a textbook for her chosen subject. She should try to personalize it, and avoid making it look identical to the actual textbook. Instead, help her brainstorm symbols that represent the class content. For example, a math yearbook might have equations or geometric symbols on it, while a foreign language book could display pictures of the native country where the language is spoken.
- Have her arrange the book chronologically, and help her out with this task. This will help her see how her learning and work has progressed over the year (or years).
- Find additional extras to include in her subject yearbook. She can choose to add in exams, papers, homework printables, class notes, report cards, special projects, or photos taken in the class or on a field trip. Use tape or glue to hold each item in place.
- Now, ask her to make small notes on each page in reference to the assignment or other school work that has been added. She can also draw images that remind her of the different projects or topics she learned.
- As an optional extra, have her include a brief write-up that answers at least one of the following questions:
- What did I learn in this subject?
- Why did I like this subject more than the others?
- How did my teacher help me to learn in this subject?
- What did I do during the school year in this subject?
Follow-up this project by having a discussion, or writing up a response to how this subject will help her in high school, as an adult, or in a career.
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