Favorite Memories about School Days
Getting Started: Introduction
Step 1: Read the introduction to immerse yourself in the essence of this workshop and discover what it has to offer.
We have a wide range of memories about our days in school, covering our experiences with the physical spaces of schools, the technologies for learning (e.g., pens, pencils, paper, books, projectors, whiteboards, blackboards, videos), the clothes we wore, many classroom discussions,
projects, classmates, teachers, extra curricular activities, and more. In this workshop, we will first discuss questions about a robust range of memory categories. Then each of us will write a favorite memory, and everyone will be invited to share that memory with the group.
Exploring Perspectives: Reading Quotations
Step 2: Read the quotations below and reflect on the ones that resonate with you, drawing connections that inspire and deepen your understanding.
“In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.”
Tom Bodett, American writer and humorist
“High school is what kind of grows you into the person you are. I have great memories, good and bad, some learning experiences and some that I'll take with me the rest of my life.”
Giancarlo Stanton, American athlete
“To this end, the greatest asset of a school is the personality of the teacher.”
Julius Erving, retired basketball player
“What I remember most about high school are the memories I created with my friends.”
J. J. Watt, American athlete
“My mother never gave up one me. I messed up in school so much they were sending me home, but my mother sent me right back.”
Denzel Washington, actor
“I used to write stories. Handwriting stories in school were a big deal for me. That's kind of what I did.”
Shawn Mendes, musician
Reflect and Express: Discussion and Writing Questions
Step 3: Begin exploring your family’s past and weave it into a captivating story—one that brings cherished memories, untold experiences, and generational wisdom to life. Use the questions below to guide your storytelling.
Which of the quotations above resonate with you most? Why?
What are your most vivid memories about your first year in school?
In your first year, what was your teacher like?
What was the classroom like?
What do you remember about the building?
What do you remember about the playground?
What learning experiences stand out most from your first year of school?
What did you do during recess your first year in school?
Who were your closest school buddies in your first year?
What are your most vivid memories of the rest of elementary school?
Who was your favorite teacher in elementary school? Why?
What was it like to make the transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high school?
What are you most vivid memories of middle school or junior high school?
Who was your favorite teacher in middle school or junior high school? Why?
What was your favorite subject in middle or junior high school? Why?
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