The holiday is this Monday, January 20, but his birthday is January 15th! For Round Rock ISD, Monday is a Staff and Student holiday. For Leander ISD, Monday is a Student holiday and Staff Development day.
Looking for ways to celebrate this important man’s life and contributions?
Parents
There are a lot of cool activities around Austin starting Wednesday. Go to http://www.freefuninaustin.com for a listing. The time-sensitive activity is the MLK Celebration at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center! Documentaries will be shown all throughout the day, 11am – 6pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Parents and Teachers
The web has a bunch of links to activities to do with your child or classroom of students. I’ve highlighted a handful here that I think are worth your time to look through in order to choose your favorites.
Scholastic’s website has great activities at http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collection/commemorate-life-dr-martin-luther-king-jr.
My favorite is this Reader’s Theater of a scene from MLK Jr’s childhood found here, http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/i-have-dream
This page gives you ideas of how to cover some key MLK Jr lessons in just one day. The comparing eggs (brown & white) and the water fountain activities are priceless. http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2014/01/teaching-mlk-one-day
Ever heard of a KWL chart? When presenting a topic, beforehand have your child list out the things they think they already KNOW (K) about the topic. Next, have them list the things they WANT TO KNOW (W). Then, after presenting the information, have them look to see what things they did LEARN (L) and double-check the things they thought they knew. If they didn’t learn all the things they wanted to, that is a great time to help them research the answers.
Great site with activities by age: https://www.teachervision.com/martin-luther-king-jr/teacher-resources/6643.html
Good site with reading and writing activities for elementary kids: http://www.abcteach.com/directory/holidays-months-and-seasons-holidays-martin-luther-king-jr-day-3657-2-1
Good site, National Education Association at http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/mlk-day-gradesK-5.html
Great videos on this site for all ages. There’s a rap, too! See below for a summary of each video to see which ones fit your child’s age. https://www.teachervision.com/martin-luther-king-jr/video/73143.html#prettyPhoto
Students Remember King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech
Appropriate Grades: K–4
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, fourth grade students recited Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 2011.
Source: PBS NewsHour on youtube.com
Length: 5 minutes 36 seconds
Let Freedom Ring – MLK Rap Song
Appropriate Grades: 5–8
Give students an overview of the civil rights movement with this rap song by Flocabulary. The educational rap incorporates the words of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Source: Flocabulary on youtube.com
Length: 3 minutes 5 seconds
History Specials: King Leads the March on Washington
Appropriate Grades: 9-12
Students will learn about racial tensions leading up to the August 28, 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a turning point in the fight for civil rights. This video highlights part of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Source: History Channel on youtube.com
Length: 3 minutes 22 seconds
Jen Humphrey 