“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ~ Dr. Seuss, Oh The Places You’ll Go!
Here’s a great family activity for sharing around the dinner table. Every Sunday we choose a quote-of-the-week to share throughout the week, and it is really fun!
I originally got the idea from the Mensa website and printed their page of quotes from the teacher resources. We have used some of their ideas, but also have found many on our own. We each participate by coming up with quotes, and some of our family send favorites to us as well. It is such a simple idea, but so fruitful in its results. Some very interesting conversations have arisen from these quotes! Friends, internet searches of famous quotes, and books are wonderful resources for finding appropriate material to draw from.
We write our weekly quote onto a 3×5 recipe card and keep it on our table. We seem to end up talking about these quotes, and learning things about some of the people who said them. Sometimes we write questions or little bits of information on the backs of the cards, as well as the date. This is a very enriching, ongoing, free activity for almost any age. I think teenagers would like it as well as little ones and adults. And, for those who feel that really little kids wouldn’t benefit from this activity, I strongly disagree! It is not important for kids to understand exactly what every intelligent quote means. Just being a part of family discussion and interaction is incredibly stimulating!
We started Family QOTW back in September and it is still rolling strong in our household. Here are some examples from the past months:
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you’ll be criticized anyway.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
“Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” ~Basil King
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ~Oscar Wilde
“A life spent making mistakes is not only honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing” ~George Bernard Shaw (thanks for that one Grandma!)
“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” ~Vince Lombardi
As Captain has suggested, it will be fun to look back at this collection of quotes one day. I agree! Thanks for reading and good thoughts to all.
Carpe Diem! Karen
Kartwheels 
A solid idea for families! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for your comment 😉
You don’t even make it sound annoying 🙂 ha ha
Ha ha! I suppose it could be quite annoying if it were a “forced” thing! Love the comment, thanks!
Mommaloaf likes this!
Kudos, Mammaloaf! Love the name, by the way!
My daughter and I are still SO in love with your blog! I keep trying to make comments on your posts from my iPhone, and I write you these long things and they get deleted. Just never have time to sign on to my computer or post anything on my own blog. You are truly an inspiration to us transplanted Californian, fellow-homeschoolers over here on the east coast! Our daughters are on parallel learning streaks too (for example, mine was totally obsessed w D’aulaire’s book of Greek myths when you did that post). Anyway, keep ’em coming! We love it all! Thank you for being there…
Oh thank you so much for your kind words! I love to think of our Eastern US neighbors doing some of the same things. I hope you and your daughter have a most wonderful winter! I imagine it is getting cold in your neck of the woods. We have family upstate in NY and visit there yearly. I must admit that I love all the green! Thanks again for taking the time to comment! Karen
Thank you for sharing this 🙂 Izabel
🙂
Family sharing is so important–be it poetry, quotes, reading from books, new ideas–exchanging is vital. As a teacher I appreciate your efforts at stimulating young minds. Sometimes when homeschoolers transfer to high school they are woefully lacking in motivation and ability. Sounds like you are preparing your children quite well for the future.🏆
Thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it!