Senior Memory Book 2015
College Bound English
During this semester, you will create a Senior Memory Book. It will consist of your thoughts and
memories from throughout your life. The final project will be due on December 14th, but you
must begin work on it now in order to complete it on time. You will turn in one chapter per week
from now until the final due date.
The final book must be presented in a hard-backed, loose-leaf binder or approved scrapbook.
The size of your binder or scrapbook will depend on how much you want to put into your book.
You will need to decorate your binder, so you might consider buying a notebook with a clear
cover you can slip pictures or such in.
I will check on your progress every week. You need to write your chapters on the following
schedule. Each chapter counts as a daily grade. The completed book will receive a project
grade.
Writing schedule (all dates fall on Fridays unless otherwise indicated):
Chapter 1: August 21
Chapter 2: August 28
Chapter 3: September 3 (Thurs.)
Chapter 4: September 11
Chapter 5: September 18
Chapter 6: September 25
Chapter 7: October 2
Choice 1: October 9
Chapter 8: October 16
Chapter 9: October 22 (Thurs.)
Chapter 10: October 28 (Wed.)
Chapter 11: November 6
Chapter 12: November 13
Chapter 13: November 20
Choice 2: December 4
Completed book: December 14 (Mon.)
Your book MUST include the following 13 chapters:
Chapter 1: “Who Am I?”
Who are you? Where do you live? What are your life goals? How do you expect to reach these
goals? What do you look like? What clubs or activities are you active in?
Chapter 2: “Before I Was, there Was...”
Your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older cousins and siblings, and anybody who may
not be a relative but who has helped to pave the way for you and your family
Chapter 3: “Suddenly, I Became Me”
Earliest memories: people, places, events, all those cute things that you did when you were little
that your mother, father, grandparent, etc., tells you about
Chapter 4: “School Bells”
Your earliest years in school--kindergarten through third grade--learning to read, special school
programs, special teachers, and special friends
Chapter 5: “More School Bells”
Grades fourth through sixth--more difficult school work, friendships change
Chapter 6: “I Grew up Here”
Describe your town, neighborhood, community, and/or house
Chapter 7: “My First Crush”
That first crush in elementary school or junior high. Don’t be afraid to reveal names.
Chapter 8: “Junior High” (or “Middle School”)
Getting accustomed to being the “big kids”; new teachers, friends, activities, successes, and
heartbreaks. Don’t forget to include 8th Grade Recognition.
Chapter 9: “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things”
Favorite movies, books, or music at different times in your life: childhood, junior high, and now.
This would also be a good place to include the price of items like gas, groceries, etc.
Chapter 10: “Friends Forever”
Highlight friendships that have really meant something to you throughout your school years. You
might focus on one friend through all these years, several people you have called “best friend”
at different stages in life, or a group of friends that have always been there for you.
Chapter 11: “High School: The Early Years”
Your freshman, sophomore, and junior years--the highlights, troubles, successes, heartbreaks,
friends, teachers, coaches, etc.
Chapter 12: “At Last, I’m a Senior”
Your senior year--just like chapter 11--but you might want to talk about upcoming events such
as prom and graduation
Chapter 13: “If I Could Live My Life all over again, I Would...”
Reflect on things you would change and on the times you would love to live over again so you
could enjoy them once more. Think about any regrets you have or decisions that you once
doubted but proved to be right. This is probably the most difficult chapter to write, but it is the
one you will value the most when you look back on this project.
You MUST include at least TWO of the following chapters (though you may certainly choose to
add extras):
“Hide and Seek”
Describe in detail some of your favorite games to play as a child.
“I Wish I Could See _____ again” or “I Wish I Could Meet ______”
Tell about a childhood friend who you no longer have contact with but would like to see again or
tell about a celebrity you would love to meet
“I’m Really in Love this Time”
Who has been the “love of your life” so far? What makes this relationship so special to you? Has
it lasted? Will it last?
“Let’s Take a Vacation”
A memorable trip you have taken with friends or family or a vacation you would love to take
“First Set of Wheels”
What was it like to get your driver’s license and your first vehicle? Was your first car or truck
everything you hoped it would be? How would you improve it?
“Play Ball!”
What high school sports have you participated in? How successful have you been in these
sports? What sports or teams do you enjoy watching?
“Giving Back”
Many students make giving back to their community a top priority in their lives. How have you
given back to yours, and what kind of impact has that had on your own life?
“Break a Leg!”
Different plays or theater productions you’ve been involved in.
“Hi Ho, Hi Ho. It’s off to Work I Go!”
Your first job. Where is it? What are your responsibilities? Did you get a job because you
wanted one or because your parents told you you needed one? What do you like and dislike the
most about it? Have is given you some insight into what you ultimately want to do as a career
(or what you absolutely do NOT want to do)?
Your final book must include 15 chapters, 13 with assigned topics and 2 chosen by you. The
final book needs to be illustrated throughout (a minimum of 10 illustrations is required). The
illustrations may be photographs, drawings, computer-generated, or pictures cut from
magazines. However, I do not want a book full of “junk”. Make sure everything you include is
relevant to the project. Be creative! You will also need to include a title page with your name
somewhere on it, your acrostic poem, your 100 things list, and a table of contents in the final
book. Also, your name needs to appear somewhere on the outside of the book; it may be on the
spine or the front cover. Please make it easy to find so your book will be easy to identify. Part of
your overall project grade will be based on your effort and attention to detail. Above
all...HAVE FUN!