Fun Friday: Martin Luther King Jr

On the Web
-Martin Luther King Jr wordfind


Field Trips
-If you live close enough or are planning a visit to the area, you could always visit The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, part of the National Park Service in Atlanta, Georgia.

-Many places hold special services and activities on, or near, Martin Luther King Day. Check your local newspaper for area activities.


Other Actvities
-Hold a birthday party in honor of Dr. King serving foods from several different cultures and inviting people of different races and cultures. Instead of gifts, donations (cahs or food) can be collected for your local food cupboard.

Think About It Thursday: Martin Luther King Jr

- Read and/or listen to Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech. Has Martin Luther King Jr's dreams been realized in America today? What is your dream for the future of America? What is your dream for the future of the world?

- Choose a city in Alabama or one of the famous Alabamians listed in yesterday's post and write a report on the subject you choose.

- Dr. King believed in practicing non-violent forms of protest. What are some examples of non-violent protest?

World Wednesday: Alabama

Martin Luther King Jr fought for equal rights in many cities and states across the US. He worked particularly hard in Alabama which is why I have chosen to study Alabama this week.


Facts
Flag: see picture at top of post; crimson St. Andrew's cross on a field of white

Capital: Montgomery

Other major cities: Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa

Admitted to statehood: December 14, 1819, 22nd US state

Size: 30th largest state at 52,423 square miles

Location: southeastern United States, between Georgia (eastern border) and Mississippi (western border), borders Tennesee on the north and much of it's southern border is shared with Florida, though it also has a 53 mile stretch on it's southern border along the Gulf of Mexico

Governor: Bob Riley

Motto: Audemus jura nostra defendere (We dare to defend our rights)

Nickname: The Yellowhammer State

Population: 4,447,100 (23rd in US)

Bird: Yellowhammer

Flower: Camellia


(some) Famous Alabamians
Hank Aaron, baseball player (Mobile)
Nat King Cole, musician (Montgomery)
Helen Keller, author/educator (Tuscumbia)
Coretta Scott King, civil rights leader and wife of Dr. King (Marion)
Harper Lee, author (Monroeville)
Carl Lewis, Olympian track athlete (Birmingham)
Joe Louis, boxer (Lexington)
Willie Mays, baseball player (Westfield)
Jim Nabors, actor (Sylacauga)
Rosa Parks, civil rights activist (Tuskegee)
Hank Williams, musician (Georgiana)


Helpful Links
Blank map of Alabama

Alabama state trivia and answer sheet

Time Travel Tuesday: Martin Luther King Jr.

In the spirit of disclosure, I wanted to let everyone know that I received a comment from someone asking me to share a link to a flyer they had created regarding Martin Luther King Jr's desire to inform Americans, and encourage them to fight against, global poverty. I downloaded the flyer myself, but rejected publishing the comment due to inappropriate language within the flyer. I also felt that the information contained in the flyer was a bit too deep for elementary aged children. However, if you are interested in the flyer, you can e-mail the author at Angie@WhatNewsShouldBe.org.

Having said all that, as I said in yesterday's lesson, I will be combining math and history this week by creating a timeline (posted yesterday) and then doing the math questions. I also will be reading a few books that I picked up at the library this week. Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr. by Jean Marzollo
is especially nice to read to the younger ones and puts Dr. King's life in terms they will better understand. I've Seen the Promised Land: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Walter Dean Myers is a bit more intensive and would be better if read alone or broken up and read over several days.

Here are some helpful websites as well:
EDSITEment

Education World

Dr. King timeline

Math Monday: Martin Luther King Jr

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day next Monday, this week's lesson will be about Dr. King and his life.

I have found it a bit difficult to come up with math lessons surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr so I created several word problems based on his life instead. I will probably create a timeline of his life (combining math and history) and then present this series of math questions.

Life events for timeline
-Born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA to Alberta King and Martin Luther King
-Graduated high school in 1944
-Graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 with his BA in Sociology
-Graduated from Crozier Theological Seminary in 1951
-Married Coretta Scott in 1953
-Received his PhD from Boston University in 1955
-Led a boycott of Montgomery buses to protest segregation (vocabulary word) in 1955
-Participated in March on Washington and delivered his now famous "I Have a Dream" speech in March 1963
-Received Nobel Peace Prize in 1964
-Assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968
-Martin Luther King Day becomes a federal holiday in 1986

Word problems
-How old was Dr. King when he graduated from high school? Morehouse College?, Crozier Theological Seminary? Boston University? (Alternatively, I may ask how many years after graduating from high school, did Dr. King graduate from Boston University with his PhD?)
-How old was Dr. King when he got married?
-How many years after the Montgomery bus boycott, did Dr. king deliver his "I Have a Dream" speech?
-How old was Dr. King when he was assassinated?
-How many years passed between the assassination of Dr. King and the recognition of Martin Luther King Day as a federal holiday?

MIA: MY apologies, once again

I apologize once again for going missing unannounced. I have had some medical issues that led to some minor depression. The issues are being taken care of and I am hoping I am back on track for good now. Look for today's posting later tonight.

Science Saturday: Hanukkah

This proved to be a bit difficult for me, but here are my thoughts:

- Using the scientific method, light a candle and make observations at 30-60 second intervals in the beginning and 10 minute intervals once it has been burning a bit. This will teach observation skills, allow the child to form a hypothesis, and open the door for a discussion of chemical changes versus physical changes.

- You could also discuss water and oil mixtures and even perform some experiments. Try mixing water and oil and observe what happens. Now add a little dish soap and try again, making an emulsion (vocab word)). You could also use a jar filled 3/4 with water and then top it with oil. now sprinkle some salt on top and watch as the salt draws the oil through the water. You can make it more fun by coloring the water and/or oil first.

I wish I had more for you. Feel free to share any ideas you may have.