One Word Project 2022

I ran across this One Word Challenge on line last year and really liked the concept. The project/challenge is based on a book that explains how focusing on "one word" for the year helps to simplify what we really want to accomplish. In all fairness I haven't read the book but I did buy the student version of it. It is a picture book meant to be read to students at the beginning of the school year so I am not sure it would work for a new calendar year.

The word I chose this year is "Notice". The idea is to "notice" more of the small things I tend to overlook. It is a reminder to myself that positive things, ideas, and actions don't always come in "big" sweeping moments.

Last year I chose "Focus" and ordered an Etsy washer bracelet that I wore most of the year to help me remember. Etsy has fancier bracelets if that is something that appeals to you.

I thought the overall idea of choosing "one word" would make a good back-to-school idea for the New Year. There are a ton of "one word" lesson plans, word lists, and pictures on line to help get you started.

I made my graphic above using Google Drawings in Tony Vincent's Classy Graphics online course. I could have easily made it in Google Slides, Adobe Creative Cloud, or Canva as well.

In my Google Drawings template thought about what icon would represent "Notice" and landed on glasses (although I could have used magnifying glasses or binoculars as well). I googled "posters with glasses" to help generate some ideas and came across this retro looking poster which I used as my color inspiration for my graphic.

Students can easily do the same thing (they may need to brainstorming icon ideas with their classmates). Their representation of their word doesn't have to be digital it can be done on paper with their reasons for the word on the back. It would make a very cute hallway display.

A friend of mine made her "One Word" graphic for her word "push". She used hand icons to representing pushing and I liked that she included what that meant for her in her hands.

Here is my attempt at using Adobe Creative Cloud (free for educators and we have it deployed district wide for students and teachers). I used a "book cover" template (Lifestyle of our Pets) as the inspiration for the two others (icons versus Adobe stock pictures) but I could have easily used any of their templates.

If you attempt with your students, or on your own, I would love to see your "One Word". Please feel free to comment below or tag me on Twitter @atechcoachlife.

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