How do you capture the essence of a school year? Every year varies. Some years there are lots of projects, sometimes I can take a ton of photos or the teachers take photos, some times there is a plethora of field trips, shows, stuff, etc… Whatever your experience, there is always a story to tell about your child’s school year.

Here are some ideas on what to capture both in photos and/or words to characterize your child’s school year:

• the obligatory first day of school photo
• the school’s sign
• what your child likes in their lunch or what they eat from the cafeteria
• new clothes or school styles
• new back pack – why did they choose it?
• a picture with their teacher
• what the inside of the classroom looks like, posters, bins, class library, the backpacks lined up, markers, areas (reading area, make believe area, science area, etc.)
• Questions for your child – How old are you?, How tall are you?, Do you like your teacher? What are you excited about the school year? Goals for the year?
• the class photo
• your child’s professional individual photo
• drawings, art
• writing samples, stories, answers to questions
• what is classroom life like? do they sit groups, facing the board, at a big table, rug time?
• are there specialty classes? language? music? technology? library? science?, P.E.?
• what is popular at recess? what does your child like to do?
• photos of your child working on homework
• carnivals
• songs they sing, poems to memorize, etc.
• craft projects
• holidays, parties
• projects, making the project, presenting the project
• special days – like pajama day, spirit days, crazy hair days, etc.
• field trips
• sleep away camp
• science fair
• after school classes
• self – portrait
• rehearsing for a project
• book reports
• examples of tests
• strengths, weaknesses
• performances – a choir concert or a play ( include getting ready -nerves?excitement?)
• moments with friends – who are there friends? what do they like to do together?
• sports at school
• reward systems
• special events, – parent parties, picnics, end of the year party
• homework folder, binder, books, pencils, pens, etc.
• are they organized? or disorganized?
• daily schedule
• books read during the school year – reading logs, etc.
• awards, certificates
• report cards, notes from the teacher
• blog posts from the teacher
• trends – silly bands, colorful shoes, trendy toys ( Minecraft or Rainbow Loom)

This is a sample of the book I created for Harry’s second grade year. ( I know I am behind, but at least it got finished).

For this book I used the following:

• Alternated papers from Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals – Notebook Paper Pack No. 5  and Notebook Paper Pack No.7
• Bauhaus 93 font for the titles
• King font for the descriptions
• I created my own tapes