HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIN LUTHER KING JR!
Today in music class we learned a little about the history of Martin Luther King JR in an age-appropriate way and also sang songs (including Happy Birthday!) to honor him!
Please see below for the lyrics/tune to one of the MLK songs that we sang. Also see the concepts we learned through conversation.
HE HAD THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS DREAM
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.
Continue with Mothers and Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, etc.
KEY CONCEPTS:
Sometimes talking with young children about racism and hate can be very difficult! I kept our conversation very age appropriate. Here's what we discussed today briefly in music class:
--Martin Luther King JR was a very, very special person who was also a preacher from Atlanta, GA.
--He worked to help people receive equal treatment and love.
--He believed people were equal and should be treated that way, no matter what the color of their skin was or where they lived.
--It was hard work to teach other people how to love each other because at that time, many people were treated unfairly. Martin Luther had a difficult and dangerous job.
--We can learn from Martin Luther King how to treat others fairly and we can remember his hard work and thank him for it.
We also read this fun book in class!
I used a tambourine and snapping to create a beat while reading the rhythmatic rhymes. Children participated in the reoccurring phrase, "And The Bear Snores On!" as well as made predictions for the story.