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Determining Dreams

Determining Dreams

Use Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech to inspire an illustrated dream for the future.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington, which aimed to draw attention to the inequalities faced by African Americans. Talk about his life and work and all he envisioned for the future. Have students read or listen to a recording of this iconic speech and discuss the current state of civil rights. What progress has been made? What changes still need to be made?

  • Step 2

    Ask students to think of their own dream for humankind and for the world. Have them write down this hope and illustrate it in a personally meaningful way.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to present their artwork and discuss their vision of a better world.

Standards

SEL: Self-Management: Manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.

SS: Individual, Groups, and Institutions: Examine various institutions that affect one's life and influence people's thinking and how they advocate for ideas they believe in.

SEL: Social Awareness: Identity diverse social norms, including unjust ones. Stand up for the rights of others.

SEL: Social Awareness: Empathize with others, including those from diverse background, cultures, and contexts.

Adaptations

Have students research other great leaders in the fight for civil rights such as W.E.B. Du Bois who was one of the founders of the NAACP and Nelson Mandela who was a crusader against apartheid and South Africa's first Black head of state.

Have students learn about Coretta Scott King, MLK's widow who was also an activist and civil rights leader. She was active in the Women's Movement, campaigned for LGBTQ rights, advocated for the end of apartheid in South Africa, and was behind the 15-year fight to have her husband's birthday instituted as a national holiday.