Documenting Friends (freebie)

While most teacher brains are already gearing up for a new year, this post is all about the end of the year.  Sorry about that.  As I'm running out of posting options, this one got drawn out of the hat, so I'm going with it.

During the last week of school, my kids interview each other in little booklets.  I can't take credit for the idea.  I found it years ago in a teacher magazine.  Here's a copy of the original.

(Click on the picture for your own copy.)

The booklets are half the size of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper and are filled with several of the interview sheets.

I don't have a picture of the cover, but this is kind of what it looks like.  At the moment, it's missing a picture of my class that takes up most of the space.  That's what makes the cover worthwhile.  I also copy it on colored paper.

(Click on the picture for a copy of my updated version.)

I recently updated the interview sheet.  The most significant change is that I replaced "address" with "phone number." (Addresses are complicated for first graders.)

Anyway, my kids really enjoy documenting the lives of their first grade friends.  It's a nice way to end the year and say a temporary goodbye to friendships that will hopefully last longer than our nine months together.  


P.S.  I suppose this could easily be used at the beginning of the year as well, especially for those grade levels who begin the year with accomplished writers and readers.

(Click on the picture to visit more blogs with freebies today.)