Words to Think By

Be a learner first; become a Master second; and remain a student forever.
Life's Secret Handbook

Quotes have been used in the classroom forever. One of the reason's I like to use them in my classroom is because it gives the kids something to think about and write about. I want to share a list of some that help kids think, but are easy enough for them to figure out. When the quotes are way over their heads, they get frustrated and feel incapable. Try these with your kids and see what you think!

It is what you learn after you know it all that counts.
John Wooden

If you are not happy here and now, you never will be.
Taisen Deshimaru

Only those who dare, truly live.
Ruth P. Freedman

The brighter you are, the more you have to learn.
Don Herold

We can never have enough of nature.
Henry David Thoreau

Is not life a hundred times too short for us to bore ourselves?
Friedrich Nietzsche

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
John Wooden

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.
Charles Dickens

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read good books.
Mark Twain

Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking.
J.C. Wells

For a free download of the quotes and a Scoot sheet, click here. Simplify the process by copying the sheet on the front and back of a single sheet of paper.

Cooperative work:  Put students in small groups and play scoot. Put the quotes on posters around the room. Have the groups of three or four discuss each quote and write a small statement about the meaning of the quote.

Individual work:  Make a book with one quote for each page. Have students illustrate each quote and write down what the quote means.