This site is not to be missed. Wonderful, exciting, slice of history made on 126th Street in 1958. If you have shockwave, then do yourself a favor and "dig it"!
This site is where you can read letters written by Martin Luther King while he was in jail in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. The Letter from the Birmingham Jail will give your students a more in-depth look at how Dr. Martin Luther King answered his "enemies" with dignity and clarity. Many wonderful discussions for the classroom could come from this letter. I have noticed that my students from second grade to fifth grade are highly interested in this time period. Even though thirty years seems like an eternity ago to them, they relate to the urgency of MLK's views and his tenacity in getting those views across to the masses against many obstacles.
So far this month, we have discussed what is meant by "content of character" and "discrimination"? Have we progressed from the 60's to a more open-minded and accepting society? What about reverse discrimination and do you feel this is to be expected? How do we keep MLK's message alive? Are we the problem?
Believe it or not, there have been some very profound comments and questions made by my classes, which are made up of children who are mostly socio-economically disadvantaged. These children sing songs from the civil rights movement from a book called Songs for Freedom that I personally recommend and would not be without for any true study of the music from the Civil Rights Movement. It is simply fantastic and remarkable, the best I've seen in presenting the music from this historical event. The children sing the songs in a more reverant and determined manner after hearing the actual situations that inspired the songs. They begin to realize how powerful music is in reaching and speaking to the human heart. Music is much more powerful than just words alone. The children's inspiration from these songs has been evident in their voices and on their faces. These musical experiences and the message they have will, hopefully, have a long-lasting effect.
We have also discussed having respect for one another and what it means to be non-violent. These next few sites can inspire all of us to use these valuable resources in an effective way by using them to mold and shape future generations in using better communication skills and live in a peaceful society as brothers and sisters.
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