How can you enrich your students’ education and bring in multiple viewpoints? Use back to school quotes!
Why You Should Use Quotes
Quotations are a fantastic way to listen to the voices, vantage points, and experiences of people outside the walls of your classroom.
We all benefit from hearing the perspectives of others.
Many famous quotations come from important figures in literature, politics, science, or history. They are eyewitnesses and experts!
Quotations often represent the best way to express a viewpoint; they are typically short, eloquent, and memorable.
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How to Use Quotes in the Classroom
You can use quotations in the classroom in several ways.
Morning Inspiration
Quotations encouraging a growth mindset or a positive outlook are wonderful ways to start the day.
You can include one per day in your morning routine.
Writing Prompt
Use a quotation to get your students to think.
Pick a quotation and ask your students to agree or disagree with what is stated (and then explain why they agree or disagree).
Debate Prompt
Older students love to debate!
Pick a quotation that is debatable, and give your students a few minutes to prepare an informal debate.
They don’t have to agree with the side they are asked to argue; it’s excellent practice to consider and defend a different side.
Lesson Opener
The right quotation can spark curiosity and make students think. It’s the perfect way to start a lesson!
You can ask questions like:
- Do you know anything about this person?
- Can you express this quotation in your own words?
- Do you agree or disagree with what is being said (and why)?
Newsletter Filler
If you send home a classroom newsletter, quotations make terrific content. Put in one each week!
Bulletin Board or Wall Art
Quotations (especially back-to-school quotes) can inspire and motivate your students.
Display some on the walls of your classroom!
How to Share Back to School Quotes
There are several ways to share back-to-school quotes with students.
Write Them
This one is the most obvious: write the quotation on the whiteboard.
Speak Them
You can also tell your students the quotation.
If you choose this option, speak slowly so your kids can absorb what is being said.
It may also be helpful if you repeat the quotation.
Display It Digitally
If you use Powerpoint in your classroom, you can always include a quotation in your slides.
You can also include a quotation in electronic communication with your students and families.
List of Back to School Quotes
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” —Malcolm X
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” —Zig Ziglar
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” —Martin Luther King Jr.
“I believe that education is all about being excited about something.” —Steve Irwin
“You are always a student, never a master. You have to keep moving forward.” —Conrad Hall
“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn …and change.” —Carl Rogers
“The most important learning is the ability to accept and expect mistakes, and deal with the disappointments they bring.” –Fred Rogers
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is the real work of childhood.” –Fred Rogers
“The ability to speak exactly is intimately related to the ability to know exactly.” — Wendell Berry
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” –Benjamin Franklin
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” –Albert Einstein
“If you learn from defeat, you haven’t really lost.” — Zig Ziglar
“Learn continually. There’s always one more thing to learn.” — Steve Jobs
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” — Albert Einstein
“I’ve always loved the first day of school better than the last day of school. Firsts are best because they are beginnings.” ― Jenny Han
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” ― John Dewey
“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” – Charles Dederich
“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.” – Taylor Swift
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai
“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb
“The road to freedom –here and everywhere on earth-– begins in the classroom.” – Hubert Humphrey
“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” – Oprah Winfrey
“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy- I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.” – Art Williams
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss
Using Back to School Quotes in the Classroom
Aren’t you inspired after reading that list of back-to-school quotes?
Pass on the enthusiasm, inspiration, and curiosity by sharing some back to school quotes with your students!