For 2023
Something I liked to do with my students when we returned from Winter Break was to have kids choose a word to represent what each aspired to do/be the rest of the school year (and beyond, I always hoped).
We’d start by writing down the characteristics of the person we each wanted to become. We’d include character traits, identify this person’s best qualities and motivations.
Next, we’d make a list of words that would sum up our description or would conjure up an image of the person we aspired to be. Our list would include nouns, like “peace” or “joy;” adjectives—like “thoughtful” and “brave;” verbs such as “create” or “pause;” even prepositions.
Generally, students would end up with a very, very long list, which led to the third step: whittling down The List to the few words that resonated most. I encouraged students to look up the words in the dictionary and thesaurus in order to have a full understanding of each word and its nuances. I wanted my kiddos to spend time digging into the words, so they had more than just a cursory or fleeting recognition of the words’ meanings.
Once they winnowed The List into The Short List, I wanted students to really get to know the remaining contenders by turning them over and over in their hearts and minds. I wanted students to try them on in order to get a sense of what it would be like to intentionally pursue them.
Finally, the moment of truth arrived, and I asked kids to take a deep breath and choose. I reminded them there’s no right or wrong answer. They should simply follow any prompting they sense within themselves.
Those folks who were really into the idea of having a word as a touchstone for the year, took a great deal of time to make their choice. Many agonized over the thought they might pick the wrong word. Some picked any random word at all, like “baseball,” for instance, not recognizing that in their slapdash effort to fulfill a requirement, I would be able to see their lack of engagement. Still, there were those students who followed the steps methodically and thoughtfully, and if the truth be told, were probably happiest with their final word choice. There was a lot more to the process, but I won’t bore you with all of the details.
However, I’ll just note that from time to time throughout the rest of the year, I would see evidence of students using their word to guide their actions. By evidence, I mean they would tell me about their attempts and the results of those attempts. Those student-reflections let me know the exercise was not futile. That for some, it was worthwhile and meaningful.
At the start of this new year, one which finds me in a new job with a new purpose, with an aging parent, and a host of new challenges and fears, I am doing the exercise for myself.
The result— “Courage” is my word, along with its iterations.
My chosen word covers a lot of different areas in my life: Courage to be creative; Courage to plan a dream; Courage to build a new life; you get my drift.
We’ll see how things shape up and shake out. I’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, what’s your Word for 2023?
Karen
January 11, 2023