As a high school teacher, you might be wondering how you could create a safe, warm, productive, and caring learning environment within your advisory class. I know that this was something I struggled with. I actually didn’t look forward to my advisory class. Not because my students weren’t sweet but because I never knew what to do with them. I wasn’t sure if my getting to know you activity actually built a classroom community. I actually dreaded advisory and twirled my thumbs as I watched the clock hoping for the bell to ring (lol).
Fortunately, after some time, I created a 6 Word Memoir Getting to Know You activity that allowed my students to feel more comfortable with each other and that I actually enjoyed doing.
If you’re looking for a community building activity that will help students learn more about themselves and each other, continue reading this post!
You can also purchase my 6 Word Memoir Getting to Know You activity. This resource includes complete activity procedures. If you’re not interested in purchasing, no worries!
This post will help you recreate this activity for your classroom.
What is a six word memoir?
You might be wondering, “What is the world is a six word memoir?” Well, a six word memoir is six words that a person chooses to reflect a part of their life. Since it is impossible to describe a person’s entire life in six words, people choose a particular part of their identity to describe in six words.
For example, if I were to write a six word memoir about being a mom, my six word memoir would be:
“Always tired, but must stay awake.”
For a six word memoir, people do have to make an actual sentence, but can also choose 6 words that describe them. For instance, “happy, chill, funny, sweet, relaxed, adventurous” can also be a six word memoir.
Getting to Know You Activity Steps
The first step to setting up this activity with students is to explain to them what a six word memoir is.
After explaining to students what a six word memoir is, you could provide them with a few examples. I would go over 3-4 different examples.
You can make these examples up or you can google some examples.
Step 2 – Writing The Six Word Memoir
Next, give students some time to choose their six words. Students can use paper or a computer to choose their six words. I would give students about 25-30 minutes to write their six word memoir.
Step 3 – Decorate!
After students have written their six word memoirs, you could have them decorate their six words. They can color in or draw pictures around their six words. If students have access to a computer, you could have students use Canva to design their six word memoirs.
Step 4 – Presentations
There are few ways you can have students share or present their six word memoirs.
Option 1 – Gallery Walk
You can post completed memoirs on the wall and have students participate in a gallery walk. For the gallery walk, you can have students walk silently around the room for about 5-10 minutes. Then you could have students return to their seats and call on volunteers to share out what they liked or learned about the six word memoirs.
Option 2 – Volunteers
For option 2, you can simply have volunteers come to the front of the room and share their memoirs with the class
Option 3 – Anonymous Share out
The third presentation option is to display the six words memoirs anonymously on the project or board. Then, call on a volunteer to read the memoir out loud. Next, call on volunteers to share positive characters or things about the memoir. After volunteers have shared positive things about the memoir, you may have the owner of the memoir “claim” their poster by raising their hand. If a poster isn’t claimed, that’s okay! Move on to the next memoir.
This activity is a great way to build community in your advisory class and helps students get to know each other. It is also a great activity to do after winter break.
You can also purchase my ready-made Six Word Memoir activity.
Happy teaching!
