It is (or should be) a class that invites reflection, an intense focus on language, and exploration of the wonder and power of dialogue and conversational inquiry.
If Americans mislabel themselves as members of the middle class, perhaps it is because we know instinctively that a strong, robust middle class is a reflection of a healthy political and economic system.
Groups of children are even invited to take part in another aspect of the traditional pilgrimage - that of silent reflection - something which might seem an onerous task with a class full of chatty children.