Pinterest Pick Thursday

Martin Luther King Junior Day is this coming Monday.  Every year at the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, we honor this day with a special service known as 'Carter Sunday.'  It is a time of reconciliation, of forgiveness, of kindness, or reaffirming our commitment to justice and our predominately poor, African American neighborhood.

"It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not
be in favor of justice for all people. - Martin Luther King, Jr."

Today's pinterest pick is dedicated to him.

Pinterest Pick of the Week
Honoring MLK

Faith Formation Component
Content

Time for Activity
1-2 hours

Recommended Age
Kindergarten and Up

Materials
Construction Paper, Scissors, Markers, Tape / Sticky Tack, Computer, Printer, Library Card

Activity
It can be hard for our justice oriented children to imagine a world where people were separated and discriminated against because of the color of their skin.  Start by learning more about Martin Luther King and his role in the Civil Rights movement by checking out one of the following books from your local library:

• Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? by Bonnie Bader
• Martin's Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
• I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Or, you can watch "Our Friend Martin."  In this hour long animated video for elementary aged children, several teens travel back in time to key events in the Civil Rights movement.  They learn about crucial issues of the time and meet substantial characters from history.  This video is a bit dated, but it is informative none-the-less.

If, when talking about Martin Luther King Jr., you decide to mention his assassination, I recommend having a candles available.  Like we light candles of Joys and Sorrows, you and your children can light a candle for Martin Luther King, Jr., his family, and the whole civil rights movement.

Next, create a 'Peace Wall.'  Start by tracing and cutting out hand prints from different colored pieces of construction paper with your child.  While doing that, talk with your child about Martin Luther King's famous 'I Have a Dream' speech.  Specifically, refer to this quote: "I have a dream that one day... little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."  What does this mean?  How can children be peace makers?  How can we be peace makers at home?  At school?  Write ideas from your discussion onto the hands.  Then, post them on a wall or door in your home.

Peace Hand

Finally, deputize your children honorary peace makers.  Ask them to raise their right hand and repeat these words after you:

I, ___________________, hereby swear to be a peace maker.  I will be kind.  I will be helpful.  I will be inclusive.  I will not be intentionally mean or hurtful.  If I find I am ever mean or hurtful, I will apologize.  And, I will always forgive those are mean or hurtful to me.  

Then, award them the 'Peace Maker' badge.

Peace Maker Badges have a picture of MLK and say 'I am a Peace Maker.'

Original Sources
Martin Luther King meme stolen from The Blue Door.
"Our Friend Martin" made available thanks to k6elearning on YouTube.
Peace Wall activity courtesy of Goose and Binky.
Peace Maker badges inspired by Realistic Teacher's Peacemaker badges, available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
All other sources cited above.


Peace to you,

- Ms. Meredith