Winding down the school year is so bittersweet. The school year has had its challenges and juggling all the teacher things is hard work (and we are all looking forward to summer break) but….your class has become a little “family” and it’s always hard to say goodbye. Create a class yearbook to capture all of the memories of a great school year.
To end the school year on the BEST note, I have students reflect, collaborate, and write down all of the memorable events, lessons, activities, and fun things our class did throughout the year. We collaboratively put all of these amazing memories together to create a special digital class yearbook.
My students LOVE creating their very own class yearbook and it’s an easy, fun project for the last few weeks of school.
Step 1: Collect Memories and Photos for Your Class Yearbook
First, we begin brainstorming a list of memorable events from the school year and then I have students work together in groups to add to the list. I gather all of the photos from the school year and create a folder in my Google Drive and share the folder with my students.
Step 2: Student Yearbook Pages for Your Class Yearbook
I send a Google Slides link with template pages for each student to create their own yearbook page. Students insert a picture of themselves (either one from our Google folder) or one of their own. They fill in the template to add their favorite subject, special, book, song, school memory, and their goals for the next school year. When they finish their page, students share it with me or submit it as an assignment in Google Classroom or other LMS.
Step 3: Class Yearbook Pages
To complete the yearbook pages, we create pages that include photos and text about field trips, things we learned, our school, having fun, and special events. I like to create student groups and assign a class page topic to each group. The groups present their completed page to the class for feedback and suggestions. Since this project is digital, we are not limited to a set amount of pages and can add as many class pages as we need to make sure that all of our best memories are included.
I have my students download their student pages and the class pages they created as jpegs. They place these images into a Google Folder that I have created and shared with the class.
Step 4: Class Yearbook Cover
Finally, create a yearbook cover. I like to print out a cover page and have students sign it. Then I scan it and add it to the Google Slides. You can also have a group of students collaborate to create their own cover design OR you could have a class contest to design a cover.
Last Step: Creating the Finished Class Yearbook
I take all of the student slides, classroom pages, and cover page and put them all together to create our Digital Class Yearbook. This does take a little bit of time but it isn’t difficult to do. I create a force copy link to share with my students and their families.
A Digital Class Yearbook is a fun end-of-the-year project and makes for a meaningful and memorable keepsake for your students and families!
You can find an easy to use Digital Class Yearbook in my TPT store:
Want a free End of Year Memory activity? You can use this printable page on its own for an end-of-the-year activity or use it for your students to plan their yearbook page.
For another fun and easy end-of-the-year activity, check out my End of Year Digital Flipbook. Have your students create a digital brochure with Google Slides for your next year’s class!
I’d love to hear about the special things YOU do with your students to make the end of the year special. Leave a comment below with your favorite ways to end the year!
