Whats a Memory?

Activity
Created by Donna Drasch and Rebecca Pilver

Book Title: Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge

Author: Mem Fox
Illustrator: Julie Vivas
Activity Objective:
To have students make connections to, and identify with, characters in the story
To understand that all experiences are not the same, but that they give us
information and feelings that are transferable
For students to be able to express and write about some of their own
experiences
Materials:
The Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge picture book and the five different kinds of
memory forms (The forms use copies of a few of the illustrations by Julie Vivas from the
picture book.)
Procedure:
Read the book aloud to students. At the end of the story, ask the children what they
thought the story was about. After that discussion, ask them how the books characters
answered Wilfred Gordons question, Whats a memory?
After all five answers have been given and written on the board or flip chart, discuss the
memories Wilfred and Miss Nancy had that were elicited by the five definitions of what
makes a memory. Discuss the different characters from the convalescent home and ask
students if the characters remind them of anyone they know or if they have older
people in their lives who they can describe like Mem Fox does by one strong attribute
such as voice or mannerism.
Ask students what they think the author wants readers to know and understand about
the relationship between the characters and what part memories play in the story.
Have students give passages from the story as support. Besides helping to get
someones memory back, in what other sort of situations could sharing important
thoughts and feelings be helpful? How and why?
To make sure that the students realize that just like Wilfred Gordon, one doesnt have to
be old to have memories, ask them to remember and give examples from their own
lives of something from long ago.

Created by Donna Drasch and Rebecca Pilver A GetReal! Project 2007

Pass out copies of the five different memory writing forms to students asking them to
write about a memory that they think fits the feeling stated on the page.
Example: Something precious as gold, young man, something as precious as
gold?
To Wilfred Gordon, it was his football, to Miss Nancy it was the day she met
Wilfred Gordon and all the secrets they have told. Give a personal example of
this also, in my case it could be the locket my mother gave to me when I
graduated from high school that had belonged to my grandmother.
When completed, students are asked to share some of their memories with the class.
List the types of feelings connected with the memories that are shared. Have them
reflect on the idea that feelings (happy, sad, frightened, etc.) are what usually help to
create long term memories because feelings, good and bad, have strong emotional
responses that register in our brains.
Extended Activity
Students can continue to fill out the memory writing forms during the course of the
school year (on their own time and following scheduled activities) and

compile them into a book of memories to be taken home and saved, or given to
someone as a gift.

create a personal timeline of their life using the memories as significant

benchmarks that helped them become who they are today.

develop a few of these small moments into more detailed memoirs/personal

narratives or I Am From poems.

Created by Donna Drasch and Rebecca Pilver A GetReal! Project 2007

Wilfred called on Mr. Tippett who was crazy about cricket.

Whats a memory? he asked?

Something that makes you cry, my boy, something that makes you cry.

Wilfred called on Miss Mitchell who walked with a wooden stick.

Whats a memory? he asked?

Something that makes you laugh, my darling,

something that makes you laugh.

Wilfred called on Mr. Drysdale who had a voice like a giant.

Whats a memory? he asked?

Something as precious as gold, young man, something as precious as gold.

Wilfred called on Mr. Hoskin who told scary stories.

Whats a memory? he asked?

Something from long ago, me lad,

something from long ago.

Wilfred called on Mrs. Jordan who played the organ.

Whats a memory? he asked?

Something warm, my child, something warm.