I still remember my first class at university when one of our professors gave us a task to write a letter to our future selves. We were supposed to write predictions for the next 5 years and where we would be after we graduated. We had to then save the letters and come back to them after these 5 years had passed.
When I tell you my mind was blown at how much can happen in 5 years! Coming back to that letter was one of the coolest things I've done for myself. It taught me that life has its way of working out even if it's not how you imagined it. It also showed me how we can see our progress only by looking back.
So, I wanted to share this idea of creating a time capsule with your middle school or high school students and create a meaningful self-reflection experience. This interactive project allows students to reflect on their hopes, dreams, and aspirations, and then revisit them at the end of the year to see how much they've grown.
Benefits of Creating a Time Capsule
It's not only a fun and creative project, but creating a time capsule encourages students to reflect on their current lives, goals, and beliefs. This can foster self-awareness and personal growth. A time capsule will serve your students as a tangible reminder of a moment in time, preserving memories and experiences that might otherwise fade. Revisiting the time capsule at the end of the year provides students with a unique opportunity to see how their perspectives and goals have evolved. Also, if done as a class project, creating a time capsule can foster teamwork and collaboration among students.
How to Create a Time Capsule
Choose a Container: Select a sturdy container that can withstand the test of time, such as a cardboard box (if you are planning on storing it in a dry place), a metal tin, or a plastic bin.
Gather Items: Encourage students to contribute items that represent their lives at the beginning of the year. This could include personal items, drawings, essays, or photographs.
Write Letters: Have students write letters to themselves or their future selves, expressing their hopes, dreams, fears, and predictions.
Seal the Capsule: Once all items are collected, seal the time capsule and label it with the date.
Choose a Location: Determine a safe and secure location to store the time capsule until the end of the year.
Tips for Making the Time Capsule More Meaningful
Diversity is a big thing when it comes to time capsules, as it will make the students think hard about what is meaningful for them at the moment. Encourage students to include a variety of items in the time capsule to represent their diverse backgrounds and experiences. As this should be personal, have students choose items that have personal significance to them.
When discussing the future of the time capsule, decide on a specific date to open the time capsule at the end of the year. This will make it even more exciting, as the students will have something to look forward to.
And last, but not least - create a ritual! Make the time capsule creation a memorable event by creating a ritual or ceremony. You can also partner with other classes to create a joint time capsule, fostering cross-curricular connections.
So, what do you think? Are you going to try it? :)
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