The Memory Book and Mural
We have been creating stories that we want to share with our community. These stories are significant as they have a message or an important idea to communicate to the reader.
The students used a story planner to help them decide on the important elements of their story.
Then, they wrote their stories and shared them with the class. After making changes and editing their writing, they were ready publish their work. Many of the students decided to create their own short stories. These stories will be included in a Grade 2A Memory Book.
The class had discussed the idea of creating a collaborative piece of art or artifact, that communicates our stories and culture to the community. We had a large piece of canvas in the classroom. We wondered how we could use this piece of canvas to create an artifact.
- How big should it be?
- How would we draw on it?
- Where will we display the mural?
We made a plan. The students shared their ideas and perspectives. What if each student drew a picture from their story, on the canvas? We would have 16 stories!
The students wondered how big each section would need to be. One student measured the width of the canvas and shared his suggestion for dividing the canvas.
The students agreed that each section would be 35cms. wide. But what about the length?
The students began to suggest different lengths. 45cms in length? 50cms. in length? We created a chart to document the data as the students voted for their choice.
Then, we drew two of the most popular measurements on paper.
Next, the students voted to decide on the best length.
An agreement was reached. Each section of the canvas would be 35cms. X 55cms.
We will have 16 sections and 16 images that share what we value as a community.
We are finally ready to divide our canvas and begin to draw our stories to create the mural.
We have a plan to guide us as we create together.
The students used Book Creator to publish their short stories. These stories will be included in a Grade 2A Memory Book.
Here are a few published books:
Each student painted an image on a mural that represented their individual story. The students enjoyed this collaborative project that tells a story about the culture and values we share as a community.
Our Learning Story continues…
The students have been working on their short stories, which will be included in the final Memory Book. They have followed the writing process, moving from their draft to their edited and published versions.
These books are now displayed in the G1 and 2 corridors along with our learning stories.
We took some time to share these stories with each other.
We have followed our initial plan, created our stories and are in the process of creating our class mural. We gathered to discuss our ideas for the Memory Book.
- What about a title for the book? How will we decide which one to choose?
- How would we organize the different stories?
- Where will this book be displayed?
The students continued to share what they thought our next steps would be. Some suggestions included:
- author interviews
- page numbers
- a blurb
- a contents page
- photographs of the authors
- headers
- images and diagrams of planners and the mural painting
We know that these decisions need to be made as a group, as this is what we ‘value’ in 2A.
22 February 2021
We gathered to reflect and update our plan. We went through the process we have followed and thought about our next steps.
The students have all created their individual stories for the Memory Book.
Out next step was to discuss and come to an agreement on the look and feel of the book, starting with the front and back cover. The students decided that they wanted to create both a hard copy and an electronic version of the book.
The students decided to vote on the colour of the front and back cover. They suggested a table would be a useful tool to document our data. Two popular choices emerged. Green and Purple. 
Yet another table was created to help us decide which colour would be used for the front and back cover. 
Next, we voted on the different titles the students had suggested. A clear winner emerged. The book would be titled ‘2A Memory Book‘.
The process documented
30 April 2021
The Memory Book – Final Steps
Our next step in creating the Memory Book was to decide on the layout of the stories. The students suggested that the stories should be presented in ‘alphabetical order’ (student names).
They shuffled their bodies, standing one behind the other, organising themselves into the correct space.
When the students checked their list, they realised that they had not included the 3 students that had left NIS at the end of the last semester. The adjustments were made.
Then, we included the final page with the ‘Author Interviews’. Each student decided what they wanted their readers to know about them and their stories. The interviews were included with photographs of the authors, as suggested on the plan. 
Next, the students dictated the information that would be included in the blurb, on the cover at the back of the book. They discussed their ideas, deciding on the most relevant information that would hook the readers. A photograph of the mural was included on the back cover.
Then, the page numbers were included, and the contents page was created.
The Draft Memory Book has been completed. We were ready to send it off to the printer!
The Memory Book and Mural Project encouraged the students to see themselves as authors, illustrators, readers, and decision makers. Through this journey, the students developed an awareness, and an appreciation for different forms of expression. They have worked collaboratively to create artefacts that celebrate the culture, values, and community of Second Grade.
Students “We have 41.2 RMB left over money from the Memory Books sales. We want to give the money to the 4 school charities:
- 10 RMB for Hopeful Hearts
- 10 RMB for Ting Ting School for the Deaf
- 10 RMB for Pfrang
- 11.2 RMB for Amy Yang Fund
Thank you for giving us the money to buy the Memory Books.”
Theme:
How We Express Ourselves 2020-21
Central Idea:
Communities come together through expressions of culture.
Lines of Inquiry:
- Ways cultures are expressed (Form)
- Similarities and differences of expression (Connection)
- Why we communicate cultural stories (Perspective)
Key Concepts: form, connection, perspective
Related Concepts: Expression, communication
