I teach different groups of gifted kids, so I try to find ways to connect us. One of those is by blogging. Each week my students write a Slice of Life and comment on each other’s blog posts on Fanschool (formerly Kidblog).
Another collaborative project is our daily quote of the day. We often pull quotes from the 365 Days of Wonder, a companion to the book Wonder by R.J. Polacio. My first student of the day begins the Jamboard. We recently got the use of a Promethean, so she pulls it up on the board and taps out the words with the pen. Together we choose a background image. And throughout the day, each student adds a personal response to the quote. Their response also goes in their notebook as a creative notebook page they can decorate for themselves.
I love this little ritual for a few reasons. One, it gets us talking first thing, analyzing the quote, thinking about what it means, and sharing our responses. But I also love how my students are influenced by the positive message in the quote. They are just happier when we do this. And that makes me happy, too.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love the idea of a quote connecting diverse students throughout the day.
That is such a great way to get students talking, thinking and looking for the positive.
I love quotes myself and should share them more with students.
What a wonderful ritual. I think I could benefit from a quote a day and the student responses are so revealing.
What a wonderful daily ritual. Things like this make me wish for longer days with my students – more time to contemplate things like this.
I love this and if I were teaching would so be stealing it! I love the variety of responses, from a restatement of the quote to “yo hapinazz!” Thank your students for me — they made ME happy today!
Beautiful ritual, Margaret. I bet the students will remember beginning their days this way for a long time to come!
This is a perfect ritual for your class. I’m a firm believer in finding the happy.
What a lovely routine!
This is such a wonderful way to use Jamboard. The first few months of school my co-teacher and I had a morning jamboard and asked students questions such as what is your favorite food, what would you do if… They loved it. Great share.
Thanks for sharing this slice of your classroom. Such a lovely ritual, and I must say I love Chloe’s “sparks of hapinazz”
I love the opportunities you provide your students for deep thinking.
I’d love to be in your class!
I love quotes, too! What a meaningful routine you’ve created. Thank you for sharing – you’ve inspired me to try this.