Famous Quotes:

1. Samuel Clemens’s words are often quoted. Read some of his statements and discuss their meaning with the students. Below are some selected quotes.
   
   "Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest."
   
   "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
   
   "Whatever you say, say it with conviction."
   
   "Comedy keeps the heart sweet."
   
   More are available at:
   
   www.cmgww.com/historic/twain/about/quotes2.htm
2. Many of the quotes deal with character issues. Discuss positive character traits such as responsibility, honesty, kindness, generosity, courage, tolerance, and respectfulness. Ask students to choose a character trait that they feel strongly about. Have students compose their own statements that show the importance of demonstrating that trait or teach a lesson about the chosen trait.
3. Students can make posters of their statements, with credit to themselves, to hang in the classroom or around the school. Or they can obtain plain brown grocery bags and decorate the bags with their statements. Give the bags to a local grocery store to pack customers’ groceries.

Standards: NL-ENG.K-12.1 Reading for Perspective; NL-ENG.K-12.2 Reading for Understanding; NL-ENG.K-12.11 Participating in Society; NSS-USH.K-4.1 Living and Working Together in Families and Communities, Now and Long Ago