Throwback Post and Some Reminders
Happy Long Weekend!
It's another 3-day weekend! And as I settle into my mid-winter relaxation mode to celebrate, I am reminded of why we have this holiday. Read a snippet from my MLK Day post from last year to be reminded, and to see what my class did to celebrate his courage.
Originally posted on January 19, 2013:
"As we all know, MLK Day is on Monday, and while we enjoy having a three-day weekend, it is important to commemorate such an inspirational historical figure. I make sure every year to celebrate Dr. King's life with my students, usually starting out reading Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. I use this opportunity to discuss issues of inequality, prejudice, and racism. It is a heated debate, but I think children deserve to know the truths of our history. It does them no service to shelter them for the realities of life. This is one of my favorite read alouds of the year, as it allows for really meaty and philosophical discussions.
During our discussion of the book and the activity, we discuss the illustrator, Bryan Collier's technique and what the images make us think of. We discuss how the pictures make us feel and compare them to other techniques illustrators use. We discuss why the artist may choose mixed media collages instead of paintings or sketching. After our read aloud and discussion, we create our own images of MLK using the illustrator's technique of mixed media collaging.
I provide the students with different scraps of paper, ranging from tracing paper, construction paper, scrapping book paper, to paper with heavier textures. I use an image I created as an example for the students.
After creating the collage, students are provided with a quotation from the book. You could allow the students to choose their own quotations, but I find it easier for my students to have a quotation chosen for them, as I see fit based on their abilities. One variation I have done in years past has been to have students write what the quotation means to them. This year, I nixed that extension to focus more on what the quotation means explicitly, based on my students needs this year.
This is always a fun activity and incredibly meaningful discussion topic. I have found that as Black History Month rolls around, my students are eager to have more of these discussions on inequality and segregation, and are itching for opportunities to debate these topics and fight for equality!"
It's another 3-day weekend! And as I settle into my mid-winter relaxation mode to celebrate, I am reminded of why we have this holiday. Read a snippet from my MLK Day post from last year to be reminded, and to see what my class did to celebrate his courage.
Originally posted on January 19, 2013:
"As we all know, MLK Day is on Monday, and while we enjoy having a three-day weekend, it is important to commemorate such an inspirational historical figure. I make sure every year to celebrate Dr. King's life with my students, usually starting out reading Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. I use this opportunity to discuss issues of inequality, prejudice, and racism. It is a heated debate, but I think children deserve to know the truths of our history. It does them no service to shelter them for the realities of life. This is one of my favorite read alouds of the year, as it allows for really meaty and philosophical discussions.
During our discussion of the book and the activity, we discuss the illustrator, Bryan Collier's technique and what the images make us think of. We discuss how the pictures make us feel and compare them to other techniques illustrators use. We discuss why the artist may choose mixed media collages instead of paintings or sketching. After our read aloud and discussion, we create our own images of MLK using the illustrator's technique of mixed media collaging.
I provide the students with different scraps of paper, ranging from tracing paper, construction paper, scrapping book paper, to paper with heavier textures. I use an image I created as an example for the students.
After creating the collage, students are provided with a quotation from the book. You could allow the students to choose their own quotations, but I find it easier for my students to have a quotation chosen for them, as I see fit based on their abilities. One variation I have done in years past has been to have students write what the quotation means to them. This year, I nixed that extension to focus more on what the quotation means explicitly, based on my students needs this year.
This is always a fun activity and incredibly meaningful discussion topic. I have found that as Black History Month rolls around, my students are eager to have more of these discussions on inequality and segregation, and are itching for opportunities to debate these topics and fight for equality!"
This year, I went a slightly different route. My kiddos are much younger this year (K-2 instead of 4-6), so I had them do a more "guided activity" while still incorporating topics on equality, strength, and "dreams" for our world.
Before our activity, we read the book I mentioned above. Afterward, my students expressed interest in watching his actual speech, which we found on YouTube. I was nervous about how some of my Littles would respond to the black and white coverage of the "I Have A Dream" Speech, but only one of my kiddos confessed she thought it was boring. Not bad.
Then, it was time for some hands-on learning...
I used Color Me Kinder's great MLK Craftivity this year. It turned out so cute! Naturally, I didn't take a single picture of my students completing the craft, and then my para sent the final products home before I could nabbed a picture at the end of the day.
Click on the image below to head to Color Me Kinder's adorable craftivity, if you are planning to do more MLK instruction next week. Super cute for grades K-2!
What MLK Day activities do you do in your classroom?
Also, make sure to check out the Favorite Teacher Giveaway hosted by Miss Lifesaver and Middle School OCD! EVERYBODY WINS!
DON'T FORGET: Link up with my new (and first) linky for classroom management tips and tricks! I'd love to read all about how you manage your classroom :)
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Thanks for the comments! I look forward to reading them :)