"Dear Me" is a poem by Shel Silverstein written in the form of a letter to himself. Use this poem in class to start students thinking about what they would like their future selves to remember most about the fourth grade. Assign students to write their own "Dear Me" poem or letter and include these in a memory book. You can begin the year with the Silverstein poem and revisit it near the end of the year. Students can write themselves a letter at the beginning of the year about what they hope fourth grade will be like and then respond to this letter at the end of the year. You can include both pieces in the memory book.
One method to create memory books is for students to create pages which the teacher collects and compiles into a single volume. You can copy and bind these pages so each student has her own memory book with each of her classmates' pages included. Give students access to scrapbook pages as the background for their memory page and have them put a photo of themselves on the page. Allow them free reign to add whatever else they would like, or give them requirements for what items to include. For instance, ask for a blurb about their favorite lesson, their most memorable moment and at least two drawings to represent their fourth grade year.
For a more formal memory book, create worksheet templates for the students to use. You can make a single page to be compiled in a class book, or create many pages for each student to fill out in his own individual book, which his friends can sign and write messages in. Potential worksheet ideas would be a page with space for the students to draw themselves with their teacher, a page with space for students to write a paragraph about their favorite subject of fourth grade, and a page for photos from throughout the year. You could also include a page with a list of sentences for the student to complete, such as, "I liked sitting by _______ best this year," "My favorite subject this year was ______" and "One thing that surprised me about fourth grade was _______."
In addition to making a yearbook-style album for students to sign, a teacher will enjoy having a book to remember her class by as well. Have each student write a letter to the teacher explaining what they thought about fourth grade and compile these into a book. Alternatively, have students draw a picture that includes the teacher as well as something that symbolizes the school year for them.