Peccadillos

This fun activity analyzes some of Stonewall Jackson's famous peccadillos and requires students to analyze and write about one of their own peccadillos, or, a peccadillo of an anonymous friend, book or movie character, or athlete.

 
Lesson:
Introduction (10–15 minutes):
  • Begin with a class discussion: "What makes a person unique?"
  • Introduce the word peccadillo and write the definition on the board:
    A quirky or eccentric but mostly harmless habit or behavior.
  • Share examples, including those of Stonewall Jackson (e.g., riding with one arm raised).
  • Group Activity (10 minutes):
    • Ask students to brainstorm famous characters (real or fictional) known for strange or unique habits.
    • List them on the board as examples: Sherlock Holmes, Luna Lovegood, Michael Jordan, etc.
  • Writing Activity (20–30 minutes):
    • Distribute or display the "Peccadillos" prompt.
    • Students choose whether to write about themselves, someone they know, or a character from media or history.
    • Encourage them to explore the possible origin of the peccadillo and how it’s perceived by others.
  • Sharing & Reflection (10–15 minutes):
    • Invite volunteers to share their paragraphs aloud.
    • Discuss: Are peccadillos always negative? Can quirks be strengths?
    • Optional: Create a class display or "Wall of Quirks" with illustrated peccadillos.

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    Other Uses:
    Writing Groups - This activity serves as an excellent tool for enrichment-based reading or writing groups in language arts or social studies.
    Morning Work - The activity takes most students about 30 minutes to complete, making it an ideal solution for morning work.
    Homework - This activity is a great way to assign homework in social studies or language arts.