ALEX Lesson Plan

Martin Luther King, Jr. for Early Elementary

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  This lesson provided by:  
Author:Amy Gandy
System: Muscle Shoals City
School: Howell Graves Preschool
  General Lesson Information  
Lesson Plan ID: 4165

Title:

 Martin Luther King, Jr. for Early Elementary

Overview/Annotation:

This lesson is an adaptation of a lesson in Character Education Made Easy. It helps early elementary students (especially kindergartners) learn about the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr., why he is remembered, and the problems he worked to change.

 Associated Standards and Objectives 
Content Standard(s):
Character Education
CE (1995)
Grade: K-12
1 ) Courage
Character Education
CE (1995)
Grade: K-12
5 ) Fairness
Character Education
CE (1995)
Grade: K-12
6 ) Respect for others
Character Education
CE (1995)
Grade: K-12
9 ) Self-respect
Character Education
CE (1995)
Grade: K-12
13 ) Tolerance
Social Studies
SS2010 (2010)
Grade: K
Living and Working Together in Family and Community
11 ) Identify symbols, customs, famous individuals, and celebrations representative of our state and nation. (Alabama)

Examples: symbols—United States flag, Alabama flag, bald eagle (Alabama)

customs—pledging allegiance to the United States flag, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner"

individuals—George Washington; Abraham Lincoln; Squanto; Martin Luther King, Jr.

celebrations—Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Veterans Day

Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
SS.AAS.K.11- Identify and recognize the symbols, customs, individuals, and celebrations for our state and nation.
Social Studies
SS2010 (2010)
Grade: 1
Living and Working Together in Family and Community and State
5 ) Identify historical events and celebrations within the local community and throughout Alabama. (Alabama)

Examples: Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Boll Weevil Festival, Montgomery Bus Boycott, Black History Month (Alabama)

•  Differentiating between fact and fiction when sharing stories or retelling events using primary and secondary sources
Example: fictional version of Pocahontas compared to an authentic historical account

Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
SS.AAS.1.5- Engage in class conversations about Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Boll Weevil Festival, Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Black History Month.

Local/National Standards:

  

Primary Learning Objective(s):

Students will develop an awareness of the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. and how he worked to foster tolerance and respect for others.

Additional Learning Objective(s):

Students will discuss the meaning of fairness. Students will discuss the meaning of self-respect. Students will discuss the meaning of courage.

 Preparation Information 

Total Duration:

0 to 30 Minutes

Materials and Resources:

some type of candy (one piece for each child) picture of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Technology Resources Needed:

none

Background/Preparation:

Students should have already had the character education lessons on fairness, courage, and self-respect.

  Procedures/Activities: 
1.)Give half of the class a piece of candy.

2.)Tell those with candy to come near the front. Those without candy are to sit in the back.

3.)Tell those with candy they will get to play today. Those without candy do not.

4.)Ask students with candy how they feel. Ask one student with candy how they feel that their friend does not have candy and will not get to play with them.

5.)Ask students without candy how they feel.

6.)Ask students if they think this is fair.

7.)Tell students about the inequality of blacks and whites during Martin's lifetime. Discuss how African-Americans had to sit in the back of buses, drink from different water fountains, go to different schools, etc. Discuss whether this was fair.

8.)Have a student who did not get candy come and tell you how they feel and what they think you should do about it.

9.)Tell students that this took courage. Discuss how Martin felt about his people. Discuss how he had a lot of courage to come forward and tell about his feelings.

10.)Give all the children who do not have candy a piece. Tell the children that after Martin and many others stood up for themselves and worked peacefully to change the unfair laws that everyone became more equal.

11.)Eat the candy!!! Read Young Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I Have a Dream" (First-Start Biographies) by Joanne Mattern, or Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King by Jean Marzollo, the reinforce to class discussion.

12.)After eating the candy, sing "The More We Get Together". Several of the Greg and Steve music collections have appropriate songs: We All Live Together, Vol. 1, "We All Live Together," Holidays and Special Times, "A Man Named King," and We All Live Together, Vol. 2, "The World is a Rainbow," are good ones.

  Assessment  

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will listen to the children's discussion for assessment of understanding.
Students may also be asked to write (or draw) in journals about how they would feel if they were Martin.

Acceleration:

The lesson could be extended by reading and discussing additional books or viewing videos on Martin Luther King, Jr.

Intervention:

Students who need extra assistance could have the concepts explained one on one by the teacher.


View the Special Education resources for instructional guidance in providing modifications and adaptations for students with significant cognitive disabilities who qualify for the Alabama Alternate Assessment.