This is a read aloud lesson plan designed for students in kindergarten.

Synopsis (from dust cover):

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta Georgia. He was one of the outstanding Americans of the twentieth century. This biography introduces the life and ideals of this great leader in the fight for Civil Rights.br> Dr. King dreamed of a world free of hate, prejudice, and violence. “I have a dream,” he said in one of his speeches. “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they won’t be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Note: Any time of the year is appropriate to learn about MLK. Please do not feel required to study him only during the month of January.

Objectives:

• recall at least three facts about Martin Luther King, Jr.
  
• learn a song about Martin Luther King, Jr. (optional)
  
• attend to a story
  
• discuss the difference between fiction and non-fiction books
  
• identify a biography asa book about a person's life
  
• write a descriptive story about a neighbor
  
• define the vocabulary words:
  • Civil Rights
    
  • Boycott

• Copy of A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.
  
• Chart paper and markers
  
• Copy of "Once There Was a Man Named King" by Greg and Steve (optional but strongly recommended
  • This song is found on Holidays and Special Times by Greg and Steve
  • This CD is available at Greg and Steve's Website
  • This song is sung to the tune of "Michael Row the Boat Ashore." The lyrics tell the story of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life
  
  
• CD player (optional)

• Prepare a "T" chart on chart paper. At the very top, write "Martin Luther King, Jr." At the top of the left side of the T, write, "What we know." At the top of the right side of the T, write, "What We Learned."
  • Please note: While a regular K-W-L chart may be used, kindergartners often struggle with identifying what they want to know, so the class will be more successful with this model.
• Display chart. Read the title of the chart. Ask students what they already know about MLK. Record what students say on the "What we know" side of the chart.
• Tell students that this is a good start, but we need to know more about this very important man. Point out that the other side of the chart says, "What we learned." Explain that the class will fill out this part of the chart after reading a book about Martin Luther King, Jr.
• If you are going to teach the song, explain to students that they will also be learning a song about MLK.
• Display cover of book. Discuss what they see on the cover. Discuss that this book is going to talk about MLK when he was a young boy.

• Point out that MLK liked to do the same kinds of things they like to do.
• Make "I wonder" statements:
  • I wonder how I would feel if somebody said I couldn't play with my friends.
  • I wonder how afraid I would be if somebody threw a bomb at my house.
  • I wonder how hard it was for MLK to stay peaceful when people were threatening his family.
  • I wonder what it would like to be such a difference.
  • I wonder what it would have been like to be at MLK's speech.
• Ask students if they ever heard of Rosa Parks before. Limit discussion, but allow students to talk a little about her if they know who she is.
• Talk about why James Earl Ray shot MLK

• Allow students to talk about feeling sad if they do.
• Re-read the "T" chart on what students know.
• Ask students what they learned about MLK> Chart their answers until chart is full.
  • If the opportunity presents itself, go back to the book and double-check a fact. Explain that good readers go back and double check when they aren't sure of something.
• Tell students that there is a great song that talks about MLK. Play the song for the students.
• We will spend the next two weeks learning the song. Then we will ask if we can sing the song during morning announcements (or other time that is appropriate at their school).
• Practice the song at least two times a day for the next two weeks. Break the lines down for the students. Keep each practice session to between 5 and 15 minutes.
  • Use practicing the song as a sponge activity:
    • boys practice while girls are going to the bathroom, and vice verse.
    • Practice when lining up to go to lunch or specials.
    • Allow students to listen to song in the listening center.
    • Practice any time there is a small window of time.
• Make arrangements with office to sing the song during announcements or during time that is most appropriate for your school's schedule.
• After performing, discuss how it felt to perform the song.
• Discuss that the class should be proud to have performed the song. Discuss the various facts they now know about MLK. Review the "T"chart again to review facts they have learned.

• Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
• My Dream of Martin Luther King by Faith Ringgold
• My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Christine King Farris
• I've Seen the Promised Land: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Walter Dean Myers
• I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.
• If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King by Ellen Levine
• Martin Luther King Jr. by Lucia Raatma

• Student participation
  
• Teacher observation
  
• Class discussion
• Completion of T chart
• Learning song
• Performing song
• Recall of learned facts about MLK