Most of you have probably already passed this milestone this year. Here in the Northeast, school goes quite a bit later and that big crazy October snowstorm really pushed our last day back even further! Our last day is Wednesday of this week. It’s a big day here as my oldest is leaving elementary school and headed to middle school next year. My “baby” moves out of the ranks of lower classes and into the big time – he’ll have state tests next year in third grade. Where has the time gone?
Even if you have passed this annual turning point, there is still time to document the end of the school year with pictures you already have or you could even stage some! I tend to not actually be there when the kids get out of school on the last day. I snap pictures of them at the school when I pick them up from aftercare or even drag them down to the front of the school a few days later. Here I just snapped a photo of them on our front porch with their backpacks on!
layout by Celeste Smith
Some of my favorite school pages are the pages that show the first and last day of school. It's amazing to see how much children have grown and changed in the course of a school year. These pages are great places to write about academic accomplishments for the year - perhaps your child learned to read or became a multiplication whiz? Physical growth coupled with academic growth - a great journal prompt! Look at how much Paula, Kathy and Christa's children grew!
layout by Paula Gilarde
layout by Christa Paustenbaugh
layout by Kathy Martin
Another option is to interview children about their year and put it on a page. Some questions you might include:
What was your favorite subject?
What was your favorite special?
What was your favorite part of the day?
What was your favorite lunch in the cafeteria?
What was your favorite school event?
Who was your favorite teacher?
Name on thing you learned in Math.
Name one thing you learned in Science.
What was your favorite book this year?
Who were your friends in class?
What are you looking forward to this summer?
I found this great list of 40 questions online. Check it out if you want some different questions!
Erin Sweeney had her daughter answer a series of questions. Then thanks to a great teacher who provided a DVD filled with photos from the year, Erin was able to match up photos to her daughter's answers.
layout by Erin Sweeney
Or take an idea from our resident mini-album queen, Monika Wright and create a mini-album. Allow your child to write his or her own thoughts about the past school year!
mini album by Monika Wright - more details on her blog!
Don't forget the classic bus shot on the last day or perhaps you can snap some photos of your kids jumping for joy or maybe capture a shot of your child with his/her teacher or best friends? Kathy Martin snapped a photo of the bus in her neighborhood.
photo by Kathy Martin
Paula was able to incorporate teacher photos and poignant journaling about finishing the year on this sweet page about her daughter. I love the number in the last photo too - so clever!
layout by Paula Gilarde
Every year, I try and snap a photo of my boys holding up their fingers to indicate that they are now in the next grade. We take this photo at the beginning of the next year as well. I wish I had started this in first grade for my older boy, but I didn't snap the first one until a couple years ago. At least, Sam will have a full set!
layout by Celeste Smith
I just love the Whiz Kid digital kit from Audrey Neal that I used on my page so much. Wouldn't this kit also be great for July 4th or any academic layout? Audrey is an amazing designer and her kits are always versatile and jam packed with great elements and word art. Her kits make pages come together so quickly!
Audrey graciously offered to give one Whiz Kid kit away to one lucky write. click. scrapbook. reader. Leave your name below and I'll pick a winner this evening. Until next time - happy scrapping!