>  Character Education Lesson Plan Bank

Quote Bookmarks

Overview

In this lesson, students will learn good character by:

• Identifying the characteristics and qualities of good leaders and role models
• Examining the quotations on the character bookmarks and relating them to their own lives
• Developing the same characteristics in themselves
• Creating profound quotes themselves and making bookmarks

Materials

• Character Bookmarks (available for purchase on our website)
• Resources for research
• Stock card cut into 2” x 8”, one per student
• Art supplies 

Procedure

1. Distribute one character bookmark to each student randomly. Tell them not to turn the bookmark over, just look at the pillar side.
2. Group them according to the pillar they have on their bookmark and give them time to discuss what their pillar means to them.
3. After five minutes, ask a representative from each group to tell the class what their pillar means to them. Write their suggestions on the board.
4. Once each group has taken a turn, tell them to turn over their bookmarks. Ask them to discuss the quote and how it reflects the group’s initial ideas about the pillar.
5. Ask the class if they know the authors of the quotes. Write on the board the names of the authors and any information the class can give about each one.
6. Tell them they are going to do some research into the authors and how their lives and quotes reflect the values of the pillar. They can work in pairs or individually, depending on the levels of ability in the class.
7. Guide them to research sources such as the library or the Internet. You may want to provide some resources yourself. Tell them to write a one-page report on the person.
8. Allow the students a suitable amount of time to complete their research and have them submit for grading.
9. Once the research and writing is finished, tell them they are going to use the information they gathered to create their own inspirational bookmarks.
10. Refer to the values they discussed in the beginning of the lesson. Have them talk again about what each pillar represents to them.  
11. Explain (or have them identify) why the quotes are inspirational. Although it’s difficult to teach inspiration, try to get the students to think about why some quotes are inspirational and others aren’t.  Use examples of regular sentences by writing on the board a quote from yourself, such as “Open your books” or “Please listen.” Compare these examples to the bookmark quotes and have them identify the differences. Ideas can include:
    Inspirational quotes have a deeper meaning than regular quotes.
    Regular quotes are about daily events, inspirational quotes are relevant to how people live their lives.
12. When the class has understood the differences, have them think of their own inspirational quotes. Tell the students to write them down on a piece of paper and move around the class to help and offer advice.
13. Once all the students have created an inspirational quote they are happy with, distribute the card stock and art supplies and have them create their own character bookmarks.
14. Send a selection to our national office. We’d love to see their inspiring messages and artwork!

Language Arts

Standard 4. Gathers and uses information for research purposes

Level II Benchmark 1. Uses a variety of strategies to plan research (e.g., identifies possible topic by brainstorming, listing questions, using idea webs; organizes prior knowledge about a topic; develops a course of action; determines how to locate necessary information)