Martin Luther King jr lesson us history modern civil rights

How Martin Luther King jr. inspires kids today

As part of looking up different things about the state of Georgia I found out that Martin Luther King Jr. is from there.  So, was Jackie Robinson, but I ended up deciding to study Jackie Robinson for New York, since that’s where the team he played for was from. Ahhh the tricky questions you have to answer when looking at your history lessons.

But, here’s the dilemma I’m running into for famous people.  Do you study them for where they were born or where the thing they’re famous for happened?

See, Martin Luther King jr. was born in Georgia, but his famous “I Have a Dream” speech happened in Washington DC, and many of his activist things happened in other states.  So, you can see my dilemma.  But, after all was said and done I left him in Georgia.

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Martin Luther King Jr. what's your big dream

Martin Luther King jr.: Martin’s Big Words

Martin's Big Words Martin Luther King jr picture biography

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. breaks down the concepts of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech for a kindergarten level.  Back when I was teaching public school I used this book with my first and second graders.  After reading Martin’s Big Words, the kids were each given a slip of paper.  On the outside, they wrote, “I have a dream.”

I know, very original. I could have worked with the kids I had and did something active like MLK Yoga.

Martin Luther King jr I have a dream

My kids’ dreams should come as no surprise to you.  That is Superman.  His dream is to be a clone trooper with TWO guns, on the other side of the ship is a friend who only has 1 gun.

Batman wants to be Iron Man, and he’s going to fight bad guys.  Princess drew PONIES!

Martin Luther King jr dream

It’s important to dream big.

Side note: Man, I jinxed myself telling Jeff on the phone just now that the kids are napping.  Oh well, I guess that is the end of my writing time.

Now the other, older kids mostly had dreams like “defeating sickness,” or other noble dreams.

Martin Luther King jr lesson us history modern civil rights

More US history lessons


Comments

7 responses to “How Martin Luther King jr. inspires kids today”

  1. I love this – kids dreams are so fun to listen to. Anna wants to be the first on Mars 🙂

  2. Brimful Curiosities Avatar
    Brimful Curiosities

    My son hopes to fly in a rocket.

  3. MaryAnne Avatar
    MaryAnne

    Your kids are awesome. Emma is like Anna – she wants to be the first on Mars. Maybe they'll go up there together, someday =)

  4. Christy Avatar
    Christy

    Great project. C's class spent a day learning about MLK and they each wrote their own dream too. His dream was for a world where no one litters.

  5. JDaniel4's Mom Avatar
    JDaniel4’s Mom

    I think I would want to be Iron Man too.

    Thanks for linking to Read.Explore.Learn.

  6. Sandra's Fiberworks Avatar
    Sandra’s Fiberworks

    I also have two boys who are just starting elementary school, but I don't have the little girl, but we do have the other in common!

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