Our Centers for Ethics:

Weekly writing prompt

Write or discuss it! Foundations for Life gives teachers an easy way to improve students' critical thinking and composition skills. Each of these weekly prompts comes with a maxim illuminating an ethical issue. Students can analyze it and apply it to current events and their own lives, through discussion or writing. Each prompt also references at least one of the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. As a result, students can easily tie the author’s words to community values. Suggestions for using the prompts:

• Read the biographies in the Teacher’s Resource.
• Present the maxim to the students.
• Briefly discuss:
  •   What did the author mean?
  •   Can you think of ways the statement applies to something in your life?
• Point out the Pillar related to the maxim.
• Present the writing prompt to the students and have them answer these questions in their draft book or other format.

Elementary level

"Never look down on people unless you’re helping them up."
— Marva Collins, African-American educator (b. 1936)

Focus Pillar: Citizenship
Your principal has told you that many students at the school are getting into gangs. Write an article for the school newspaper persuading students not to join gangs. Include the following:

• Strong topic sentence and opening paragraph
• Facts and details to support your argument
• Conclusion providing practical information

Secondary level

"Doing the best at this moment puts you in the place for the next moment."
— Oprah Winfrey, African-American talk-show host, actress and entrepreneur (b. 1954)

Focus Pillar: Citizenship
The dropout rate at your school is very high. Write an article to convince students that staying in school is crucial for success. Include the following:

• Strong thesis statement
• Writing directed towards your target audience
• Strategies for students thinking about dropping out
• Analysis of opposing arguments (why it’s OK to drop out)
• Strong conclusion telling students where to go for assistance

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