Creative task to have students explore their school experience.
Create a time capsule with your class to remember the year. Often we forget about our experiences unless they are recorded. It will be interesting to have documentation of the past.
Classroom Time Capsule
Students create a time capsule for the class. Students fill out a questionnaire about their experience for the year. They will include a photograph of themselves on the questionnaire. As well, they may include a drawing or small trinket to accompany their questionnaire.
After all students complete the work, the teacher collects the questionnaires and records the data. He inputs the most popular answers on a master form. The teacher returns the students’ questionnaires and places the master form in the class time capsule.
The teacher will provide a cylinder or box for the classroom time capsule, and the students will decorate it. The date is printed in bold on the outside of the capsule. Each student in the class draws or writes their favourite saying on the time capsule, as well includes their name. After the time capsule is complete, a coat of watered down glue is placed over all the paper to seal the capsule.
Student Time Capsule
In addition, students will create their own time capsule container. Students should be encouraged to display the time capsule with images relevant to the year and their school experience. Inside their box they will include the questionnaire and any other items of significant to them. Some may wish to burn their favourite songs or add the school yearbook or their cross country ribbons.
Time Capsule Ceremony
Students have a ceremony to mark the end of their time together. Each student and the teacher will present their time capsule to the class and explain why they have chosen specific items for the time capsule. It is best for the teacher to model her personal time capsule other than the class time capsule to add a personal touch. The teacher may speak of adding the class photo to remember all their faces in the future as well as one word to describe each person. She may also add her favourite activity with the class or time of year.
Students are given five minutes or less to speak about their time capsule. The teacher may wish stagger the talks as they participate in other activities related to the time capsule ceremony. Another option is for students to have an open house and students peruse each others capsules.
Tips
Choose square or cylinder boxes that are stackable. They save space and can be displayed each year for other students to peruse.
Collect time capsules each year. At the end of your career you will have some great memories stored.
Time Capsule Ideas
Time capsule will include news reports of the world and the local community. Most importantly, the data collected will be in regards to the students experience such as their favourite subject, extracurricular activities, their principal, teachers, and friends.
Name of School
Grade Level
Teacher
Friends
Principal
Favourite Book
Favourite Subject
Worst Subject
Field Trips
School Dance
Fashion
Extra curricular activities
Sayings
Slang
Favourite Joke
Sports
TV Shows
Movies
Prime Minister/President
Current Events
Other
