Our Centers for Ethics:

Weekly writing prompt

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May 3 - 9, 2009 Mother's Day is May 10 This holiday, celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May in the United States and in many other countries, is a bonanza for florists, chocolatiers and gift shops. But how many moms wouldn't agree that it really is the thought that counts? Use this week's prompts to help students give the gift of gratitude and appreciation.

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.

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Elementary level

"If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it."
– Mother Teresa, Albanian-born Indian missionary nun, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1910-1997)

Focus Pillar: Caring
Mother’s Day reminds us of something we should do every day: let our mothers and grandmothers know how much we care about them. Write a letter to your mother or grandmother letting her know how much you appreciate her. In your letter, be sure to mention the following:

• Something special that she has done for you lately
• How you are going to show you care on Mother’s Day
• Why you are proud of her

Secondary level

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
– Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi, leader for independence of India, pioneer of nonviolent civil disobedience (1869-1948)

Focus Pillar:Citizenship
Write a letter to your mother telling her of a character trait (choose from one of the Six Pillars below) that she has passed on to you that will help you make the world a better place. In this special letter, be sure to include the following:

• Which of the Six Pillars your mother has modeled
• How you plan to improve life for your family, friends, school or community
• Ways you are going to show appreciation on Mother’s Day

The Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship

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