October 20

The Gift

At the beginning of the school year our class created a purpose. You can see it as a part of our header on our Home Page. The kids worked hard on it. All students took part in making it. The words and phrases in the purpose were written by students in our class. Most importantly, our classroom purpose reminds us why we come to school each day. It’s at the heart of everything we do.

Recently, I was amazed by something that started happening in class. Every morning the class, or pairs of students recite the purpose. On one particular morning I couldn’t quite project it fast enough. Saya said, “We don’t need it Mr. Magill.” All the kids turned and faced me and Alex, our classroom TA started them. They said the purpose from memory. I was shocked. Now, it’s become a ritual in the class, kids all turn and face me to say the class purpose each day. It was one of the nicest gifts a class has ever given me at this time in the school year. It made me feel good that the kids were confident in their purpose and taking real ownership of it. Great job Portable People! You did it! Keep doing it. I know you will.

Class Purpose