Lesson Plan #1

   Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday 

Duration:   Approximately 2 weeks

Objectives:   Students will:

• recognize that prejudice and discrimination has been a problem for African Americans in the U.S.A. For many years.
•  be able to identify contributions that Martin Luther King, Jr. made to society.
• experience discrimination in order to gain an understanding of its power.
•  recognize that feelings about discrimination can be expressed through poetry.
•  be able to describe something they can do to positively effect those around them.

Materials:   

*pictures of Martin Luther King, Jr.

*Research materials (See Book List and Internet Resources)

*green and yellow paper circles and pins

*poem

*butcher paper

*art supplies

Key Vocabulary:  

slavery, equal rights, civil rights, freedom, citizens, discrimination,

Procedures: 

•   Ask the students what they know about how African Americans have been treated throughout American History. Write their answers on the board.

•   Explain that for many years African Americans were slaves and that even after they were freed, they did not have the same rights as whites. Many people worked to get blacks equal rights. 

• Show students a picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. Explain that Dr. King worked for civil rights, the basic rights and freedoms of citizens.

•   Divide students into groups. Have each group research a specific time period in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. 

• For example, childhood, college, years in seminary, etc. Provide each group with books, such as the ones listed as resources. Have the school librarian help direct the students to additional, helpful information. 

• In their research, have the students answer the following questions:
• What most impressed you about Martin Luther King, Jr.?
• What event(s) stands out in your mind?

• Have each group share their findings with the class.
•  Give half of the students a yellow circle to pin onto their shirts, and the other half of the student's a green circle to pin on. Tell the students that when they go out to recess, the students with yellow circles may only play with other students that have yellow circles, and green circles may only play with other green circles. Also, section off a large portion of the playground that only those with yellow circles may play in. Tell those with green circles that they must always let those with yellow circles go ahead of them in lines. After a few hours, bring all of the students together and discuss how they felt during this activity. Discuss how it relates to how the African Americans were treated. Ask the students if they think anything had improved since Dr. King was alive.

•  Tell the students that one way to express your feelings is through poetry. Give the students the poem, "Martin Luther King Day." Read the poem together and discuss its meaning. Have students memorize the poem and recite it to the class when they are ready. Have students write their own poems, expressing their feelings about discrimination or Martin Luther King. Post the poems on a bulletin board or on the school webpage.
• After all of the activities have been completed, ask the students what they have learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. Ask them if they think it is important for us to recognize his birthday, and if so, why. Listen to their responses to see if your objectives have been met. Make sure all of the students are called on to respond during the discussion.

Assessment:  

Research findings will be assessed.

Poetry memorization and writing will be assessed.

Home Learning collages will be assessed.

Participation and responses during discussions will be assessed.

Teacher Made Quiz ( ANSWERS)

Home Learning:   

Ask the students what they can personally do to make a difference in the way people are treated. Brainstorm ideas and write them on the board. Have each student pick an idea. On several large pieces of butcher paper, have the students make collages of what they can do to make a difference. Students can draw, color, paint, paste or write their ideas. This allows students to let individual differences come together to create a whole, integrated poster.

Extension Activity:  

Ask the students to create a timeline slideshow of important events in Martin Luther King Jr.'s life using Kid Pix or Microsoft Powerpoint.

Have students create Thank You cards to MLK on the computer.