Last week, we discussed the concepts of peace, love, and harmony. We watched a discovery education video that is a great counterpart of the book, Martin's BIG Words. We also read Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King. One of my favorite activities that we did was trace our hands onto multi-cultural paper. The student's chose their paper and were on their way tracing and cutting. As the students finished, I had them stack their hands into a pile. I taped the hands together. The students said things like, "Look! We are joining hands together one by one just like Martin Luther wanted " and " Our circle is so cool. It shows that we can all be friends." (Heart-warming)
(I team teach. Therefore, there are two friendship wreaths. One class is the outside hands, and the other class is the inside hands. I decided to join each class in hands too. When the kids saw the wreath, they were even more shocked saying, "WOW, Mrs. Allen we are all friends. This is so cool. I am very proud of these wreaths, and we have had many compliments from other teachers as well. TOOT! TOOT!)
Another activity we did involved having two different baskets. (Sorry, no pic.) We discussed what the baskets looked like on the outside comparing and contrasting. The facts were endless with a wide range of differences. Then, I placed two similar dry erase markers inside the baskets. I took the markers out of the baskets. We discussed the dry erase markers in the same manner. However, the facts this time did not have a wide range of differences-only similarities. This is when we discussed that all people are different on the outside, but on the inside each person is the same. (I have done this same activity with a brown egg and a white egg too.) We made the peace sign at the top discussing how to make peace, love, and harmony.
What did you do for Martin Luther King Jr. Day? How do you celebrate differences and similarities?
Valentines Day brings yet another class time to discuss friendship, love, and celebrating similarities and differences. Check back for that post. In the meantime, what are you doing with your students for Valentines? Be sure to comment.
