Our One Word Journey in 6th Grade

 As the new school year begins, setting the tone for a positive and purposeful year is essential. In our 6th-grade classroom, we embraced this idea by diving into the book One Word for Kids by Jon Gordon, which encourages children to select one word that will guide them throughout the year. The concept of choosing one word is simple yet powerful. It gives students a focal point, something to inspire and direct their actions, decisions, and mindset as they navigate the challenges and joys of the school year. It’s not just about picking a word; it’s about finding a word that resonates with them personally—a word that will help them become the best version of themselves.

We began by reading One Word for Kids together as a class. The story's message encouraged the students to reflect on what they want to achieve, how they want to grow, and what kind of person they want to be. After some thoughtful discussion and personal reflection, each student selected their word. The choices ranged from "Courage" to "Kindness," "Focus" to "Perseverance"—each word uniquely meaningful to the student who chose it.

Once the students had their words, it was time to bring them to life. Each student created a poster featuring their word, accompanied by an image that symbolized its meaning. These posters are now displayed in the hallway, serving as daily reminders of the intentions they've set for themselves.

But we didn’t stop there. To make their words even more personal and accessible, the students also had the opportunity to create bead bracelets featuring their word. These bracelets are not only a creative expression of their focus word but also a tangible reminder they can look at whenever they need a little extra motivation or encouragement.

As we move forward through the school year, these words will be a guiding light for our students. They’ll serve as a reminder of their goals, values, and the positive attributes they want to cultivate. In our classroom, we’ll revisit these words often, checking in on how they’re helping us grow and how we can continue to embody them in our daily lives.