Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Identifying with a Hero

Students will

* participate in read aloud and in inquiry-based research activities.

* compare and contrast their lives to the early life of Martin Luther King, Jr., through their journals (using pictures and words as developmentally appropriate).

* share their journals with an authentic audience.

* explore various sources of information about Dr. King and share the discoveries of their research, recording them on a class KWL chart.

* create art and plan a party to celebrate Dr. King’s birthday.

Evaluating Web Sites for Bias

Students

* become familiar with checklist they use to evaluate Web content for bias.
* use the checklist to evaluate two Web sites from very different sources.

Dr. King’s Dream

In this lesson, students will learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Students will listen to a brief biography, view photographs of the March on Washington, hear a portion of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and discuss what King’s words mean to them. Finally, they will create picture books about their own dreams of freedom for Americans today.

CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of America’s greatest leaders. He felt very strongly about the rights of Black Americans. He felt that everyone, Black or White, should have equal rights. The right to work and make an honest living, the right to vote, the right to a good education, and the right to use all public places. Martin believed in using love instead of hate to settle disagreements. He was a very influential leader, one who will always be remembered and honored in this country. This is possible because in 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill declaring that beginning in 1986, the third Monday of every January would be celebrated as a national holiday known as Martin Luther King Day.

Being Treated Equally

To let children experience prejudice first hand, in reference to Martin Luther King Day.