Nearly half a century ago Martin Luther King inspired our nation with his dream of equality and dignity for every single person, and we remember him with a national holiday. For your second grader it can be easy to think of it as just another “fun” day off school, but in keeping with social studies curriculum, this is also a great time for parents to explain the special day…and to keep King’s powerful message alive as well!
Here's a craft project drawn from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, when he said, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
These are big words for any American, let alone one who is seven years old. You’ll want to explain that decades ago, before your child was born, laws in many parts of this country required that people of different colors had to eat at different tables, drink from different water fountains, attend different schools…and it was UNFAIR! And even though laws have changed, we must all work together to respect all people of all races and walks of life.
As you’re talking, here’s a project to keep little, and big, hands busy.
What You Need:
- Sheet of posterboard (22x26) in a strong color, such as green, blue, or red—whichever you might like on your dining room table!
- Pack of round coffee filters for a coffee maker (You’ll use about 8)
- Liquid watercolor in red, blue, and yellow
- 3 “bingo” bottles (plastic squeeze bottles with foam at the end--but if you don't have these specialty supplies, you can also use kids' watercolor paint brushes!)
- Piece of oak tag
- Plastic table covering
- Black Sharpie marker, or gold or silver metallic marker
- Glue stick
- Scissors
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