What’s that Perspective – Quotes Version

An important part to advisory is to getting people to talk about their perspective and to help students to hear others perspectives.  The advisory is a microcosm of society where respect for individual uniqueness and the diversity of experience and perspective can be fostered in a safe place.  Activities that help us to explore: What makes us different? What makes us the same? Why do we believe the things we do and make the choices we make

Some Random Quotations:

• “Anger is always – always – fear in disguise.”  Spider Robinson
• “We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.” Anne Frank
• “Education is not preparation for life, it is life itself.” John Dewey
• “If you don’t understand yourself, you don’t understand anybody.” Nikki Giovanni
• “One cannot learn to swim in a field.” Spanish Proverb
• “Don’t forget to swing hard, in case you hit the ball.” Woodie Held
• “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Ghandi
• “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for something.” African Proverb
• “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the onlu thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
• “Reject mediocrity. Your current frequencies of understanding outweigh that which has been given to you to understand.” Saul Williams
• “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” Jimi Hendrix.
• Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself.  ~Rita Mae Brown
• “Problems worthy of attach prove their worth by fighting back.” Paul Erdos
• “I never wanted to be famous.  I only wanted to be great.” Ray Charles.
• “I must govern the clock, not be governed by it.” Golda Meir
• “The downhill path is easy, but there is no turning back.  Christina Rosetti.
• “Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete.  If you’re alive, it isn’t.” Richard Bach
• “People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the star, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.” St Augustine. 
• A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
• All generalizations are bad.  ~R.H. Grenier

You can use any quotations, maxims or proverbs you like.  It works well with proverbs from around the world as well as a fun way to start to talk about different cultures.

Activities:

1. Print out quotes, cut strips (one quotation per strip) and give to students randomly.  Ask them to journal about the quote – What does it mean to them?  Do they agree or disagree? If they do not connect with the perspective, find someone in the advisory who does and ask them why they do? Write their experience in the journal.
2. One activity is to type the quotes up on sheet size paper (one per sheet). Tape the papers to the wall and have students read them all, then go up and choose one that strikes them the most. Once they have chosen it, they should connect in pairs (with someone they don’t usually work with). Read the quote to the person, explain what it means to them and why they like it. Reflect on what in their life history might connect them to this. Then the other person does the same.  After a few minutes, each student will report out for their partner. Good listening is essential.   (As an extension, at the end, you can give students the opportunity to trade in their quote for another. What would that other one be and why?)