This is a cool assignment I do with my freshmen every year (this year the 7th graders are doing it). I've done it as well, and I enjoy going back through and reading it every once in awhile.
Here are the directions:
1. You make a list of all the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper.
2. For each letter of the alphabet, you brainstorm three or more words which can be proven autobiographical (i.e. names of places you've lived, visited, or want to go; names of people with whom you associate/to whom you are related; words which describe you or your life in some way; memories you have of events, people, places, things; etc.). The rule is anything you write about has to be autobiographical.
3. About once a week or so, write a one-page memoir about one of your words. Choose only one word from each letter list (the one you can write best about). Begin each by saying something along the lines of "A is for Alaska," or "S is for sisters". I had my students do a drop cap with the letter on their final drafts. It looks really cool all typed up!
4. Write one memoir for each letter of the alphabet.
When it is complete, you'll have a 26 page autobiography. If you're a scrapbooker, you can find photos to go with each memoir and create a beautiful portfolio. If you'd like to see mine, just ask! :)
One idea I've had is to adjust it for my own children. Have them either write or dictate a short paragraph or a couple of sentences about each letter, then draw or find pictures they can use to illustrate their autobiographies. It'd be interesting to see what they remember and think about their lives so far.
Here are the directions:
1. You make a list of all the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper.
2. For each letter of the alphabet, you brainstorm three or more words which can be proven autobiographical (i.e. names of places you've lived, visited, or want to go; names of people with whom you associate/to whom you are related; words which describe you or your life in some way; memories you have of events, people, places, things; etc.). The rule is anything you write about has to be autobiographical.
3. About once a week or so, write a one-page memoir about one of your words. Choose only one word from each letter list (the one you can write best about). Begin each by saying something along the lines of "A is for Alaska," or "S is for sisters". I had my students do a drop cap with the letter on their final drafts. It looks really cool all typed up!
4. Write one memoir for each letter of the alphabet.
When it is complete, you'll have a 26 page autobiography. If you're a scrapbooker, you can find photos to go with each memoir and create a beautiful portfolio. If you'd like to see mine, just ask! :)
One idea I've had is to adjust it for my own children. Have them either write or dictate a short paragraph or a couple of sentences about each letter, then draw or find pictures they can use to illustrate their autobiographies. It'd be interesting to see what they remember and think about their lives so far.
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