Some kids have already gone back to school this week and more are headed back next week or the week after. Mark this start of the new year with a memory box or memory letter a la “Eighth Grade.”
Elsie Fisher in “Eighth Grade.” (A24)
One of the sweetness of the movie is when Kayla opens the box her sixth-grade self left for her leaving-middle-school self. And then (spoiler) her eighth-grade self leaves a box for her leaving-high-school self.
What would your kids put in a box for them to open at the end of the school year? What would letter would they write to themselves?
Here are some questions to have them answer: (If your kid is a kid with some anxiety, only ask the positive ones, perhaps.)
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What are your hopes for this school year?
What are your fears about this school year?
What field trips or school events are you looking forward to? Which ones are you dreading?
Who are your friends? Who would you like to get to know better?
What’s your favorite thing to do after school?
What advice do you have to give yourself for this year?
What do you think your teacher/teachers are like?
What did you wear on the first day of school or what’s your favorite outfit?
What’s your favorite song?
What’s your favorite movie? What’s your favorite movie?
Include these things:
First day of school photo
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Picture of your favorite movie or book.
A flash drive with your favorite song.
A wrapper of your favorite snack food.
A letter to yourself.
Your first assignment in a class.
The first week of your school agenda.
Your class schedule.
Pictures of your lunch box or your backpack when it was new.