One Word: 2021 Edition

Dear Teacher, 

Happy 2021! I have never been so happy as to see 2020 disappear. Who would have guessed the year that we had? School closings due to a world-wide pandemic, teaching remotely, a toilet-paper shortage, curb-side delivery, wearing masks, hand sanitizer galore, and the blessing of lots of family time! 

Last year I began the one-word tradition instead of resolutions and both my students and I loved it! 

What is the One-Word Tradition? 

In stead of creating resolutions, you pick one word to focus on for the entire year. You then set your goals around this one word. This becomes your purpose, motto, and mantra for the year. As it is not something lofty, you are less likely to kick it to the curb!

FIT 2020

My husband and I choose a word together for the year. Last year our word was FIT.  We wanted to be physically, spiritually, financially, and emotionally ready for the year ahead. Who would have guessed how we would have been put to the test with this word. We often found ourselves asking "Does ----- FIT into our lives?" Yes, we kept it. No, we tossed it. 

It was the first time either of us were successful with our New Year's resolutions we loved it so much... it is now a tradition. 

BELIEVE 2021

​When we began searching for our word for 2021, one word seemed to follow us everywhere. It was as if it was begging us to choose it and so we did. 

BELIEVE (Verb) - (1) a confident attitude toward God's involvement in your life; (2) to accept something as true or genuine; (3) to have faith, confidence, and trust. 

​In 2021, we will believe that all things are possible, that the path that our lives are taking is the right one. We will believe in the strength of our marriage and faith. We will believe that life will return to a pre-pandemic normal. 

In The Classroom

In my classroom. I ask my students to pick a word that will support them throughout the remainder of the school year. It can be anything that they believe will help define and shape the year ahead. My students love this activity and enjoy sharing their words. We then create subway art with our words and hang them in the front of the room as a reminder of what word they are working toward. 

This year, we skipped this activity as my students are all remote. I miss building and sharing this tradition with them. So many of my favorite classroom traditions have been put aside. I believe that soon we will be able to share these together again. 

Until Next Time. 
​Misty