I am always trying to find ways to get my students to “think deeply” about the world around them. Getting students to do this can be quite a task for some, yet I have found that something as simple as a one-sentence quote can have them making connections they never knew were there!
“Quote of the Week” is something I have slowly implemented into my routine. I try to choose a meaningful quote my students can relate to, by someone who has changed our world in one way or another.
Here is how it works…
On Day One…I display a quote on the board (without the author’s name). I then ask my students to write their ideas/thoughts about the quote. I ask them to focus on what they think it might mean. This is a nice exercise for my students because there really is no “wrong answer”. I encourage them to write whatever is on their mind.
On Day Two…I reveal the author of the quote. We discuss the person, and I usually provide some background knowledge if needed. Again, my students write about the quote, but this time focusing on WHY they may have said it. I encourage my students to think about the person, and what may have been going on at the time. I want them to use real examples and facts to support their ideas.
On Day Three…I ask my students to connect the quote to their own lives in some way; “What can you learn from this quote?”; “Does this quote make you think of a past experience?” I want them to make connections and explain why and how they connect!
In addition to the writing component of this activity, I also allow them time each day for sharing. Whether is be a quick “turn and talk to your partner”, or a whole class discussion, I try to give my students time to talk about their ideas as well.
Here is the form I use each week. You can pick it up for FREE, right here :o)
Check out my Pinterest board dedicated to quotes that can be used in the classroom!
Here are a few great quotes to get you started!
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” — Thomas Edison
“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” — Dalai Lama
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” — Albert Einstein
I would love to hear how you use, or plan to use, quotes in the classroom?