On the last day of school in June all of us in our classroom brainstormed a huge list of words on the board. What did we want to be in 2013/2014? Beyond goals, how did we want to visualize ourselves? How did we want to be described? What descriptors would be a fit for each of us? We each chose five words. We wrote them down and signed the paper. We also asked a witness to sign.
Most of us were returning to spend the year together again for 2013/2014 as our Grade 2/3 class was becoming a Grade 3/4. Over the summer, someone switched schools and some new students moved into the neighbourhood. By the end of week one in September, we had become a Grade 2/3/4 class with 8 new students. We invited our new students to also take part in this exercise sharing our words and coming up with a few more.
With photographs of us, these words are going to be posted on the walls of our cloakroom. We will see them when we arrive each morning and as we grab our coats and bags at the end of the day. Our words will surround us as we learn and grow. Will these words feel right at the end of the year? Will they be motivational? Will they inspire us? Confuse us? Make us reflect and think? We don’t know yet. We do know that we felt pride and confident choosing our words and happy to share and celebrate them.
If you visit us, please look out for our photos and words in our cloakroom. If you follow our learning journey from afar, here are some lovely examples.
*****
Fun
Calm
Focused
A Writer
A Leader
*****
A Teacher
Brave
A Reader
A Learner
A Listener
*****
Kind
Passionate
Peaceful
Giving
A Thinker
*****
A Reader
Creative
Brave
A Leader
Myself
*****
Independent
Brave
Compassionate
Helpful
A Reader
*****
Creative
Brave
Focused
Patient
Organized
*****
Brave
Calm
A Reader
Respectful
Kind
*****
Creative
Patient
Helpful
Calm
Fun
As the teacher of all of these young students, I was amazed at how brave many of these word choices were. There was real vulnerability in the writing down of words that have big importance. Some quiet children chose the word Talkative. Children who struggle with impulse control wrote that they would be Calm. Learners just beginning to read wrote the words A Reader as did voracious readers who devour books. Our classroom community values many things and this also came through in the choices: Mindful, A Leader, Creative, Kind . . .
These words will visit us everyday, I am not going to ask the students to revisit their choices and evaluate later in the year. I don’t want these words to be intimidating. This process is not about living up to a goal. This process is about choice. We all have the ability to choose who we are becoming. The words we have chosen celebrate this power. My responsibility and my joy will be to support these choices all year long.
Happy 2013/2014 everyone! What will you be?
Would you like to share your 5 words in the comment section? We would love to read them!
Here are mine and Miriam’s (Miriam is my brilliant Student Support Worker who shares these wonderful children with me):
*****
Connected
Thoughtful
A Learner
A Reader
Passionate
*****
Creative
Artistic
Imaginative
Patient
Connected
There's a Book for That 
In 2013/2014 I will be Joyful, Calm, Connected, A Learner, A Reader, A Writer (I know that’s six but…)
Well writers need editors! Six is extra inspired! Thanks for participating!
In 2013/2014 I will be encouraging, loving, creative, passionate, and energetic.
🙂 Perfect.
Wow that was really awesome!!! Those are great goals and you guys can totally succeed!!!
Inspired by YOU in 2013/2014 I will be: encouraging, connected, kind, creative, passionate
What a beautiful list, my Bean.
Carrie, you forgot to say “awesome”!!!!!
We are all pretty awesome! That is true! Thanks for reading.
This is a beautiful idea – not only building self esteem but building vocabulary too! Love it! Here’s my list: In 2013/14 I will be: curious, inspired, creative, thoughtful and grateful! Thanks, Carrie!
So true! It does enhance and build vocabulary. Your list is very you. I love how THOUGHTFUL is something you continue to build. Your thinking always inspires.
ah Carrie you’ve inspired me again. I’m grateful to learn a new way to think about things. I just love how you say you will not revisit the words with the students 🙂 This year I aspire to be creative, humble, passionate, careful, and present.
Thanks Jeannie. I’m glad that message stood out to you. These are our visions, not obligations. We don’t have to measure up against them! Love your list – particularly the word PRESENT.
I love, love, love this project. Thank you for sharing. Here are my FIVE: In 2013/2014 I will be A WRITER, KIND, ORGANIZED, GRATEFUL & a RISK-TAKER.
I love all of your LOVE! Thanks for participating! Isn’t GRATEFUL such an important word?
What a fabulous idea, Carrie! In 2013/2014 I will be grateful, compassionate, mindful, a writer, and patient. Thanks for being such an inspiration!
Thanks for participating! It’s my students that are the inspiration 🙂 They were so thoughtful in their choices. I love that you also chose MINDFUL. That is a very important word in our room!
Once again, I feel so emotional after reading your blog. I love this project and think that these little people are so amazing. What will I be in 2013/ 2014? Patient, loving, thankful, enthusiastic, involved… and always a reader. I would love to see the kids and teachers at Mateo and Milo’s school do this project. Imagine seeing all of the smiling faces and inspirational words on all of the walls in the hallways and classrooms of every school!
ENTHUSIASTIC is a wonderful choice! Wow, can you imagine – so true – it would be beautiful to have an entire school do this!
What an amazing project to inspire children, and adults too, to become more aware about how they want to life their lives!….. Ths year, I will be focused on the present, patient, a thoughtful listener, a catalyst for change, and a loving supporter.
So pleased that this was inspirational for you. Thanks for sharing your list! It is a powerful one.
I’m so inspired by everyone’s comments. I’m going to add “hopeful” to my list!
Well, I am so inspired by sharing this 2013/2014 year with you, that I would add content, optimistic and promising! We are off on a wonderful adventure with these children.
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Carrie….aren’t you marvelous? And creative? I am going to be: alive and aware, mindful and caring, active and patient.
Love, May
Beautiful, beautiful things to be! ALIVE and AWARE! So lovely
What a terrific idea, Carrie. I’m planning to be: a writer, a reader, grateful, helpful, and kind. Love reading everyone’s words! Thank you!
It is especially nice to see all of the amazing idea in the comment section. Children were thrilled to see their words up in our cloakroom today. Thanks for sharing yours!
I love this!! Just finished reading rump and found your website!!
I am so pleased you arrived here and found something interesting!