English/Language Arts
Explore speeches and oral presentation
Speeches are a unique form of media message that require a style of writing that allows comprehension by a listening audience. Have your students explore the elements that are needed for a speech to be effective. Check out Scholastic’s Writing with Writers speechwriting activities for more ideas.
Explore allusion/symbolism
The speech Dr. King delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Using the location as the beginning symbol, discuss with students why Dr. King might have made this choice - what was he hoping to symbolize? What did the location allude to? Dr. King’s speech, linked in the Minute, is full of symbolism and allusion. Break this speech into smaller sections and have students examine the language and discuss its deeper meaning and significance.
Explore letter writing
Author Nathan tells the reader of a visitor to the Lincoln Memorial who sent a letter to his representative which resulted in the marking of the spot of Dr. King’s speech. Use this Minute to introduce your students to the elements of a letter, as well as how to write persuasively.
Social Studies
Explore the first amendment - freedom of speech and freedom to assemble
Dr. King’s speech was only possible because of the first amendment to the US Constitution. It covers a wide swathe of rights - the right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and a system that allows grievances to be heard. Have students do some critical thinking about what these rights mean and why they are critical to our nation’s freedom. See if they can find both small and large examples. Introduce them to Tinker vs. Des Moines to help them make the connection of how these rights directly impact their daily lives.
Explore social justice
Social justice is a big concept that can spark vigorous debate over the meaning of equitable distribution of wealth and resources in a society. Start small and ask students to think about fairness in your classroom. What resources are available (do not forget your time as one of the most valuable) and how can they be shared among all constituents? Does fair have to mean equal? Sometimes? Always? Never? How do we ensure that people’s rights are protected? These discussions help our students to understand the role of good citizenship.
Explore the Civil Rights movement
Most students are aware of the Civil Rights Movement but have very little actual detailed knowledge of the scope and sequence of key historical events. Think about starting by having your students each create an illustrated definition of one piece of the Civil RIghts Movement - starting with the abolition of the 13th amendment and Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896 and following it through to the present. Make sure they include the date of their event. Once complete, have students line up chronologically and present, making sure you are prepared to correct information for the benefit of the group. Once students have a better sense of the scope and sequence, they can choose an event and dig deeper.
Research Skills
Explore Museums
Museums are treasure troves of primary sources, and thanks to the internet, our students can benefit even when an in-person visit is impossible. Start with a Google search for African American museums. You will get a carousel of sites spread across the top of the page. Have students explore and share the quality of the websites based on specified criteria (check here for a sample criteria set). Use the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American history and Culture as a model. Demonstrate how students can do a text or image search, and how many primary documents are included in the results.
Explore speeches and oral presentation
Speeches are a unique form of media message that require a style of writing that allows comprehension by a listening audience. Have your students explore the elements that are needed for a speech to be effective. Check out Scholastic’s Writing with Writers speechwriting activities for more ideas.
Explore allusion/symbolism
The speech Dr. King delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Using the location as the beginning symbol, discuss with students why Dr. King might have made this choice - what was he hoping to symbolize? What did the location allude to? Dr. King’s speech, linked in the Minute, is full of symbolism and allusion. Break this speech into smaller sections and have students examine the language and discuss its deeper meaning and significance.
Explore letter writing
Author Nathan tells the reader of a visitor to the Lincoln Memorial who sent a letter to his representative which resulted in the marking of the spot of Dr. King’s speech. Use this Minute to introduce your students to the elements of a letter, as well as how to write persuasively.
Social Studies
Explore the first amendment - freedom of speech and freedom to assemble
Dr. King’s speech was only possible because of the first amendment to the US Constitution. It covers a wide swathe of rights - the right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and a system that allows grievances to be heard. Have students do some critical thinking about what these rights mean and why they are critical to our nation’s freedom. See if they can find both small and large examples. Introduce them to Tinker vs. Des Moines to help them make the connection of how these rights directly impact their daily lives.
Explore social justice
Social justice is a big concept that can spark vigorous debate over the meaning of equitable distribution of wealth and resources in a society. Start small and ask students to think about fairness in your classroom. What resources are available (do not forget your time as one of the most valuable) and how can they be shared among all constituents? Does fair have to mean equal? Sometimes? Always? Never? How do we ensure that people’s rights are protected? These discussions help our students to understand the role of good citizenship.
Explore the Civil Rights movement
Most students are aware of the Civil Rights Movement but have very little actual detailed knowledge of the scope and sequence of key historical events. Think about starting by having your students each create an illustrated definition of one piece of the Civil RIghts Movement - starting with the abolition of the 13th amendment and Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896 and following it through to the present. Make sure they include the date of their event. Once complete, have students line up chronologically and present, making sure you are prepared to correct information for the benefit of the group. Once students have a better sense of the scope and sequence, they can choose an event and dig deeper.
Research Skills
Explore Museums
Museums are treasure troves of primary sources, and thanks to the internet, our students can benefit even when an in-person visit is impossible. Start with a Google search for African American museums. You will get a carousel of sites spread across the top of the page. Have students explore and share the quality of the websites based on specified criteria (check here for a sample criteria set). Use the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American history and Culture as a model. Demonstrate how students can do a text or image search, and how many primary documents are included in the results.
© Karen Sterling, 2018 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission