In English class, students on the Orange Team read several essays by prominent individuals, as well as ordinary people, who shared their beliefs about life and core values. This short unit was designed to help students identify a main idea in an essay and analyze essay structure prior to writing their own. Moreover, students were also asked to consider the important people and events in their lives that have helped them create their core values. Each student's main idea, representing his or her core value and excerpted from each full essay, was placed on a bulletin board in the hallway. Please enjoy seeing what sixth graders believe.