5th Grade Guidance Class- Memory Banks

ON THE BOARD I WRITE:

“Our words and actions today create memories that will fill others’ memory banks tomorrow.”

Students are asked to think about acts of kindness, respect, or helpfulness that have taken place in the classroom recently.  Many students gave each other compliments on things that they have noticed.

Then I hold up the Memory Bank.  This represents the “memory bank” each of us has inside.  The things we say and do now will go into people’s memory banks, sometimes forever.

Students pair up and then are asked to think of a time they were treated in a mean way, sharing with their partner what happened and how it made them feel without using real names.  Then students are asked to think of a positive memory that’s stored in their memory banks of someone who was kind to them. 

Lastly, students think about their own place in other people’s memory banks.  I ask them how they would like to be remembered by others.

WE have the power to create positive memories of ourselves through kind words and actions.  If we treat someone in a hurtful or unkind way, how will we be remembered?

HAVE STUDENTS CLOSE THEIR EYES: IMAGINE IT IS 10 YEARS FROM NOW.  THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU NOW ARE REMEMBERING YOU BACK IN 5TH GRADE.  WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO BE ABLE TO SAY ABOUT YOU?  HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED BY THEM?