Below are some of my favorite quotes to use in literacy instruction. The words we choose to work with in instruction matters. The photo along with the words is important for many readers. I have used quotes like these in the following ways:
Writing into the Day: a shared inspiration for a short time of writing to start time together
Copywork: Some children/youth love to practice handwriting, cursive or print. Not only this, for some, self chosen copywork lifts the words, the vocabulary, the possible sentence structures, into one’s own awareness
Short text for reading instruction with older children/youth learning to read or children/youth learning English as a second language
Text for Socratic seminar
Text for mini lesson on conventions (ie use of punctuation, capitalization, etc)
Idea Box: I keep a file box with ever changing inspirations for writers to look through, including quotes, photos, poems, comics. They can select and glue in their daybook to write about.
Pass the quote: Each person starts with a different quote and writes a short response. At a timer or bell, this is passed to the next person to add to, while a new quote is received from the person on their other side. When your original quote returns to you, read everyone’s thoughts and write in your daybook about.
Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. -Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963
Do not expect to receive the love from someone else you do not give to yourself…The light of love is always in us, no matter how cold the flame. It is always present, waiting for the spark to ignite, waiting for the heart to awaken. -bell hooks, All About Love, 2000
I don’t see the desert as barren at all; I see it as full and ripe. It doesn’t need to be flattered with rain. It certainly needs rain, but it does with what it has, and creates amazing beauty. -Joy Harjo
In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people. -Wilma Mankiller
Photos are from Wikimedia and are all public domain.