Martin Luther King Day

Year group:		Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
Key subject:		Citizenship
Cross curricular:		PSHE, Religious Education
QCA scheme of work:		none
Useful equipment:		OHP or data projector CD player laptop computer

Aims

An assembly for Y3-Y6 marks Martin Luther King Day on the third Monday in January. The presenter uses eggs to demonstrate that we are all the same inside, and goes on to show how Martin Luther King challenged injustice and prejudice with peaceful methods and sheer determination. The assembly aims to encourage pupils to:

• recognise and show respect for similarities and differences,
• think about identities and the things that contribute to our identity,
• understand that all children have basic needs and rights as human beings and
• develop strategies to deal with prejudice, including racism.

Introduction

This assembly looks at how to challenge things that are wrong, and what Martin Luther King did for us.

Main presentation

To begin with, bring in six brown eggs and six white eggs. Then ask for 12 volunteers to come out to the front of the hall. These children carefully observe the eggs, as the teacher opens them up. The message is very clear. While the eggs are different on the outside, they are the same on the inside, just like people. This demonstration provides a useful introductory example for the children to think about similarities and differences.

After the volunteers go back to their places, begin asking the whole school what they know about Martin Luther King. At this stage it is likely that not too many hands will go up, as this is probably the first time that children of this age have heard of Martin Luther King.

Then explain that just 40 years ago in the United States, before many of their parents were even born, things were different. There were some laws (rules) saying that white children and black children couldn't go to school together, and that people with darker skin had to ride in the back of the bus.

Ask the children, "What would you feel like if you came to school and you were told that because you had brown hair (to a girl with brown hair) or blue eyes (to a boy with blue eyes) or because you were a girl, that you weren't allowed to come to school?" Hopefully the children will return with some of the following responses: They would feel upset, bad, sad and angry.

At around this point, introduce the children to Martin Luther King, showing a projected image of him. Explain that Martin Luther King was like a teacher, who spoke to many people: Black and white people, Latin Americans, Asians, every kind of person, and taught them to stand up and say that the laws were wrong. Emphasise the importance that he used words and peaceful methods to solve problems. Martin Luther King had a dream that all kinds of children would go to school together and be friends, and that when people worked together, they were able to change the laws.

At this point, play a sound byte of Martin Luther King's famous speech I have a dream and maybe show a couple of images of the great gatherings of people during some of his emotive speeches.

This is a good time once again to emphasise the overwhelming bravery of Martin Luther King and how, through his peaceful methods of protest, he managed to change laws that were unfair and unjust. Mention also that in recognition of Martin Luther King's amazing achievements, the American Government has designated a national holiday, the third Monday in January each year, to celebrate his life.

The song below can be sung to the rest of the school by your class to close the assembly. To the tune of He's Got The Whole World In His Hands:

Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream
Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream
Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream
He had the whole world in his dream
He had you and I, in his dream
He had you and I, in his dream
He had you and I, in his dream
He had the whole world in his dream

Summary

Ending prayer

For the human family
Creator God,
In love you have fashioned the human family
In a variety of races, languages, and cultures.
Do not let our diversity divide us,
But help us to welcome gifts
We can give and receive from one another.
Save us from prejudice, arrogance and fear,
And teach us how to live together
As members of one family, sharing one home,
And the children of one God.
Amen.

Additional notes

This assembly will suit any 1, 2 or 3 form entry junior school. It can be adapted for a single class if required.

The assembly should be suitable for all ethnic and spiritual groups, as the theme of Martin Luther King embraces basic human rights issues.

Extension/shortening tip

To shorten
Remove any or all of the following parts:

1. The sound byte of Martin Luther Kings famed speech
2. The song He had you and I, in his dream
3. The closing prayer For the human family

Recommended resources

12 brown eggs and 12 white eggs
Internet access

Websites

Recordings of I have a dream and other Martin Luther King speeches can be found on The Seattle Times website.

 

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