If someone asked you what your core values are, you would probably be able to identify them fairly easily. However, if someone asked you why those values are important to you and how they were instilled within you throughout your life, you may have to think about it for a bit.
For the 2nd year, our 8th grade students are tackling these questions through a reflective writing project, “This I Believe” essays. The essays are based on the 1950’s radio series of the same name, in which individuals from all walks of life wrote and shared essays that discussed how their past experiences shaped their core values
Since early September, 8th graders have worked in their TARGET advisory classes to identify their core values and examine how their past experiences are linked to these values/beliefs. It has been a challenging project; however, we are hopeful that it has also been impactful.
Throughout the writing process, students have explored questions such as,
- How did you learn that it is always best to tell the truth?
- When did you come to believe that it is better to be kind than right?
- How did you learn that failing at something can make you stronger?
However, the project does not end when the essays are completed. Rather, 8th grade students are assigned a date to read their essays aloud during chapel. We believe that it is important not only to identify your core values, but also to share them with others. Students’ parents are invited to attend and hear their child share the life experiences that have shaped their beliefs. At the end of each speech, the student presenter is welcomed outside to ring “Penny” the bell – a new tradition, established this year.
We look forward to sharing excerpts from the speeches through the coming months.
“God answers everyone’s prayers the way that prayers need to be answered, not the way you want them to be answered. This I believe”
