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REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER JR. A Guide on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from the #MannMusicRoom ABOUT

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist and hero, born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929. MLK grew up during a time when segregation - or the separation of races in places like schools, buses, and restaurants - was legal. From a young age, MLK experienced first-hand the injustices of racism and it was from these experience that he dedicated his life to achieving equality and justice for all Americans, regardless of the color of their skin. In 1964, Dr. King was recognized for his work as he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; at the time, he was the youngest person to be honored with the award. ACTIVISM

Dr. King, along with his wife, the late , led countless demonstrations around the country advocating for racial equality. Three of MLK's greatest achievements include:

Montgomery Bus : The crusade, which lasted over a year, ultimately led the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that in public transportation was unconstitutional.

March on Washington: Dr. King organized the “ On Washington” in 1963. Over 200,000 people attended the march to the Lincoln Memorial that day. The abolished discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or nationality. At the March, King gave a speech titled “."

Birmingham Campaign: In the early , Birmingham, Alabama, was one of the most segregated cities in the U.S. While the protests were not always peaceful, King, who was sent to jail for a short period of time along with other protestors, was successful in his movement to break down segregation barriers businesses, restaurants, and other public establishments within Birmingham. MLK DAY

Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Nov. 2, 1983, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday that occurs around the time of King’s birthday each year on the third Monday of January. This year, the holiday falls on King’s actual birthday and marks 92 years since he came into the world. The declaration of MLK Day as a national holiday is thanks to the Monday Holiday Law.

Want to learn more about MLK? Check out our reading list at the bottom of this packet. Good for all ages! ACTIVITIES

Revered as a man of deep thought and consideration, Dr. King was known to deliver impassioned speeches to crowds of people fighting for a better and more just life for all human beings.

I HAVE A DREAM!

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech to nearly 250,000 activists gathered around the Lincoln memorial in Washington D.C. DO YOU HAVE A DREAM?

Dr. King was not alone in his work. History has seen and will continue to see many others following in his footsteps, fighting for the justice of all people.

Other civil rights leaders include: , Former Representative Jackie Robinson, first African-American player in MLB History Stacey Abrams, American Politician Sam Cooke, Singer/Songwriter , Professional Boxer

What can YOU do to help make life better for all people? Write down any dreams you have below and what you'd want to do make the world a better place. WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Here are five ways you can help even the youngest member of your family understand the importance of his life:

1.Read a book:

Elementary Level 1.The Story of Martin Luther King Jr., ages 2-5 2.My First Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr., ages 4-8 3.I Am Martin Luther King Jr. from the Ordinary People Change the World series, ages 5-8 4.I Have a Dream book and audio CD with a recording of the speech, ages 5 and up. 5.Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ages 5-9

Middle to High School Level 1.Martin Rising: Requiem for a King ages 13 and up 2.Chasing King’s Killer: The Hunt for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Assassin, ages 12 and up)

Additional resources: How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help, from Brightly, a book recommendation website with Penguin Random House. 26 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism & Resistance, from the Conscious Kid Library

2. Discuss hopes and dreams: Drawing inspiration from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, ask your children what their dreams are. What inspires them? Talk about ways that your family can make the world a better place, just like King did. You can also write them down and hang the paper on your fridge (or elsewhere in your home) to serve as a source of inspiration throughout the year.

3. Volunteer: Children learn through example, so donating your time and demonstrating the importance of helping others will establish a lifetime of giving back for your kids. Go to NationalService.gov to locate an age-appropriate volunteer opportunity near you.

4. Art projects: Have your children trace their hands on construction paper and cut them out. Overlap each hand to form a circle and glue them down to a sheet of paper to show that no matter how different we look on the outside, we are all the same on the inside. This learning activity helps demonstrate unity and respect. Invite the neighborhood kids or friends from school over to join in!.

5. Look for local events: Check your local newspaper listings or social media for MLK Day events, like today’s Mann Music Room: LEARN post! RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

Teaching Young Children About Race: A Guide for Parents and Teachers Teaching Tolerance - The Best of Our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Resources, Lesson Plans: Dr. King on Poverty: Then and Now Lesson: Dr. King and the Movement The Unfinished Business of the March on Washington and the

SOURCES

The Washington Post Scholastic.com Care.com Tolerance.org The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute – Stanford University / King for Kids SuperColoring.com JinxyKids.com