What is a memory?
"A memory is something that sticks in your brain and heart and you always remember it." ~ Neala
" A memory is something that has always been inside you and you will always remember it until you die because you remember something for a very long time." ~ Daniel
" A memory is something you remember from a long, long time ago that is very special to you. It could be a very sad memory, a very happy memory, a very excited memory - any kind of memory!" ~ Eisy
The book Once Upon a Memory by Nina Laden inspired us to write lists of our favourite or most meaningful memories. We loved the sweet illustrations (they look like The Quiet Book!) and how the author reminds us of what once was and how the past helped create what was to come.
We watched clips from the movies Up and Inside Out. This helped us decide what makes a memory a "core memory"; one that has an emotional impact, affects change and helps to make us who we are. We shared our memory lists with our friends, categorizing our memories into groups that included family/friends, school, new learning, firsts and change.
After our sharing circles, we noticed that many of our memories were similar to our friends. Our memories not only seemed to fit into certain categories but many were very similar to each other. We thought about this question: If you could only choose a few memories from your life to share as part of your personal story, which would they be?
To organize our ideas in relation to this question, we began to develop personal timelines.
Like little historians, we used a graphic organizer to sequence the core memories of our lives in chronological order. Each memory had a story to go with it - usually attached to a specific emotion or important moment of change.
Coincidentally, the Grade 5/6 community was also talking about memories and had even watched the same clip from Inside Out that we did! It was a perfect opportunity to share our work with others. The older students asked us some great questions about the stories behind the memories and why we chose the ones they could see on the timeline.
As we continue to learn how stories of the past affect the present and the future, our understanding of timelines and the moments in time that shape a person will help us to understand how they impact entire communities and cultures.
"If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten."
~ Rudyard Kipling
~ Rudyard Kipling
