Celebrating MLK Jr.

     We have spent time this week learning about Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to society.  In addition to this being a Social Studies topic, we used it as an avenue for learning to research and write about our findings.  We discussed different sources that can be used to research and how to tell if they are recent and reliable.  We talked about what the problem with the Internet can be and how to know if a site is generally a good one.  (people can publish whatever they want)  We watched videos, checked out websites, and read books (both read aloud and a book that they read).  We completed a variety of organizers to record their learning.  It is important when learning about a new topic to process that new information many times and in a variety of ways in order to be sure the students remember it and understand it. 

     One activity that we did to process the information was record information on a has, was, and wanted chart.  We talked about what he had (a dream or vision of a better world), was (a minister, smart, a good speaker, a husband and dad, a good leader), and wanted (laws changed).  After studying with resources that I read to them for a few days the students read a rather challenging book themselves.  They did quite well because they had a lot of background knowledge and are very motivated by this topic.  Before we read we did a 30-second share.  They have a partner.  I set the timer for 30 seconds and they have to keep speaking the entire 30 seconds with no interruptions from their partner about the topic.  Then the partner takes a turn.  I was very impressed that they were able to speak knowledgeably for the full 30 seconds.  We could have easily gone for a minute. 

     As a culminating activity we created a foldable.  I got the idea off of Pinterest.  On the outside there was the image of children holding hands.  On the inside was the report that they wrote about what they had learned.  They turned out excellent.  The student's really showed off their ability to take 1 or 2 word ideas from their graphic organizer and turn them into sentences for a report.  I was very proud of them!

    We also read a variety of picture books set during the Civil Rights Era that really helped the students identify with the people during that time and really helped them understand what life would have been like.  The books Let Them Play, Goin Someplace Special, and The Other Side are three of my very favorite books.  They are great for teaching about characters and talking about how to identify with different characters.