Cultural Affairs Officer Melissa Schumi Jones and English Language Fellow Ryan Brux talk about Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech.
[RELO] American Culture Series: Black History Month
1. American Culture
Webinars
For
English Language Teachers
Brought to you by :
U.S. Embassy Lima’s Public Affairs Section
2. WELCOME!
Our goal: to provide info on U.S. culture
AND to help you create an effective plan to use in
your classroom.
Please ask questions! That’s why we’re here.
3. First Question:
Do you know who this man is?
If you know who he is, what do you think he is thinking about?
6. • BHM is about honoring the achievements of
African-Americans and celebrating their
influence on American society
• Recognized formally by the U.S. government in
1976 during the bicentennial
7. Life of Dr. King
American Civil Rights
leader, born in Atlanta,
Georgia – January 15,
1929.
Became a pastor at age
25 in Montgomery,
Alabama.
Dr. King espoused “non-
violence” as a means to
achieve social change.
8. Life of Dr. King
In 1963, MLK was arrested
in Birmingham. His famous
“Letter from a Birmingham
jail” was written there.
Notable campaigns took place
across the south, Georgia, Alabama,
Florida.
9. March on Washington
August 28,“I Have a
1963 Dream”
• What is the message to students:
10. “I Have a Dream”
Speech considered one of
the best in American history
Dr. King presented vision for
a United States no longer
divided by race, where
people are judged “not by
the color of their skin, but
by the content of their
character.”
11. Life of Dr. King
Civil Rights Act of 1964
passed. Dr. King is at
President Johnson’s side
for the signing.
In October 1964, Dr. King
was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize.
13. Plan your Lesson Plan
1) What are your topics?
2) What kind of questions/conversations starters
will you ask?
3) What new vocabulary do you need?
4) What activities can you do with your students?
15. Definitions
Leader – (n.) A person who rules, guides, or inspires others; head.
Dream – (v.) to see or imagine in sleep or in a vision; (n.) succession of
images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep
Rights – (n.) a moral, ethical, or legal principle considered as an underlying
cause of truth, justice, morality, or ethics
Speech – (n.) form of communication in spoken language, made by a speaker
before an audience for a given purpose
Equal – (adj.) having the same value, measure, or amount as something else
History – (n.) record of past events and times, especially in connection with
the human race
Freedom – (n.) state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or
under physical restraint
17. Definitions
“I Have a Dream” –phrase from the most celebrated speech by Martin Luther
King, Jr., delivered at the March on Washington in 1963 to supporters of
the civil rights movement. King stressed the importance of nonviolent
resistance and vividly painted his vision of a better future for people of all
colors in the United States.
Civil rights – rights to personal liberty established by the 13th and 14th
Amendments to the U.S. constitution and certain Congressional acts,
especially as applied to an individual or a minority group. (Dictionary.com)
Equality – (n.) state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity,
degree, value, rank, or ability.
Segregation – (n.) separation or isolation of a race, class, or group (as by
restriction to an area or by separate schools)
18. Definitions
Separate but Equal – A legal doctrine in United States Constitutional law that
justified systems of segregation; term for a racial policy by which blacks
may be segregated if granted equal opportunities and facilities, as for
education, transportation, or jobs. The phrase was derived from a
Louisiana law of 1890.
Non-violence – (n.) policy, practice, or technique of refraining from the use of
violence, especially when reacting to or protesting against oppression,
injustice, or discrimination.
Boycott – (v.) To refuse to buy, use, or go to, in order to make a protest or
bring about a change. (also can be n.)
20. Discussion Questions
• What are civil rights? How does a country
protect a citizen’s civil rights?
• What do you think about racial inequality? Does
it exist in your country?
• Does your country have leaders like Martin
Luther King?
• What is the meaning of the phrase, “I Have a
Dream?”
• What is your dream for your country?
What Other Questions Do You Have?
21. Activities
1) MLK Interactive Timeline
• Using the picture timeline, go through the events
of MLK’s life. Address any comprehension issues.
Point out Vocabulary,
• Break students into groups. With a timeline set
for each group, have students write out the key
idea for each event. Have students put events in
order.
• When all groups have finished, choose students
to orally tell each event.
22. Timeline Activity
Step 1 – Teach the story in the
classroom using the timeline pictures
23. Timeline Activity
Step 2 – Print out slides and have students
write/discuss what each slide shows
25. Activities
2) “I Have a Dream” (see pictures)
• Watch a short clip from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgYzJGmBXU8
• Discuss some examples of dreams (i.e. to own one’s own
business)
• Distribute Dove Template.
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/dove_template.htm
Have students reflect and write down their personal dream.
Post around the room.
• Have students participate in a gallery walk, in which they
walk around the room and read each other’s dreams
26. Dove Activity
Step 1 – Cut out dove template and write dreams in English
Step 2 – Hang doves on clothesline or wall in classroom
Step 3 – Take a gallery walk and visit each dove, talk with
students about messages
27. Resources
American English webpage
– americanenglish.state.gov
RELO Andes webpage
– reloandes.com (link to this presentation found here!)
Larry Ferlazzo’s List of Best Websites
– Best websites to teach about Black History
– Best websites about teach about Martin Luther King
28. Level Topic/Theme
Upper-Beginner American Culture: Black History Month and Martin Luther King, Jr.
American Culture Themes : Black History Month and Martin Vocabulary
Luther King Jr. Civil Rights
Black History Month is celebrated every year in February. It Martin Luther King, Jr.
is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions to American Non-violence
society by African-Americans. Freedom
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an important civil rights leader Equality (opposite: Inequality)
who believed in non-violence His “I Have a Dream” speech Dream
during the March on Washington in August 1963 inspired the Segregation
whole country and is considered one of the best speeches in Boycott
American history. “I Have a Dream”
Equality for all citizens is an American value. The United African-American
States, and any country that shares this value, must continue
to work toward this goal.
Questions/Conversation Starters
What are civil rights? How does a country protect a citizen’s civil rights? What do you think about racial inequality? Does it exist in your
country? Does your country have leaders like Martin Luther King? Why is it important to talk about civil rights?
What is the meaning of the phrase, “I Have a Dream?” What is your dream for your country?
Suggested Extension Activity Materials/Notes
MLK Interactive Timeline + “I Have a Dream” (see pictures) PPT presentation
From the timeline, go through the events of MLK’s life. Address any comprehension issues. Sets of blank timeline events – 1
Break students into groups. With a timeline set for each group have students write out the key set/group
idea for each event. Have students put events in order. Rope/clothespins (for hanging
Watch a short clip from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Discuss some examples of dreams (i.e. timelines/doves) or tape
to own one’s own business) Pencils/Pens
Distribute Dove Template. Have students reflect and write down their personal dream. Post
around the room. Have students participate in a gallery walk, in which they walk around the
room and read each other’s dreams
29. QUESTIONS?
Remember:
You can check out this presentation and
the corresponding resources on the
RELO Andes blog - reloandes.com
Hinweis der Redaktion
Photo copyright CORBIS Images.
Black History Month had its beginnings in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week". This week was chosen because it marked the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.[1] Woodson created the holiday with the hope that it eventually be eliminated when black history became fundamental to American history.In 1976, during the bicentennial, the expansion of Negro History Week to Black History Month was recognized by the U.S. government. Gerald Ford spoke in regards to this, urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."[6]
MLK is an American civil rights leaderBorn in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929Very good student, started college at age 15Studied theology and became a preacher, eventually earned a Ph.D.In 1954, at age 25, MLK became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama
Was a leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, which led to the end of racial segregation in buses in the city – MLK’s house was bombed and he was arrested during the boycottMLK and colleagues founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) The SCLC promoted non-violence as a means to achieve social change, through peaceful protests, marches, and sit-ins.
March on Washington for Jobs and FreedomQuarter of a million people in attendance.“His dramatic 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech before the Lincoln Memorial cemented his place as first among equals in civil rights leadership; from this first televised mass meeting, an American audience saw and heard the unedited oratory of America's finest preacher, and for the first time, a mass white audience heard the undeniable justice of black demands.” Julian Bond, Seattle Times
Excerpt from Speech:“And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."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.I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.I have a dream today!”
Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed. Dr. King is at President Johnson’s side for the signing.In October 1964, Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to using non-violence in the fight for racial equality.Movement continued in the South and also Northern states; the movement tackled head on issues of economic marginalization, discrimination in housing, many other issues.
In the years following the passage of the Civil Rights movement, Dr. King became increasingly vocal about his opposition to the War in Vietnam. One of his main criticisms was that the war cost the United States money that the country should have spent on domestic issues – like fighting poverty. This anti-war stance put him at odds with President Johnson, and other white leaders. MLK’s vision was not just about small reforms, but a real transformation of society.MLK’s life and work were cut short on April 4, 1968, when he was only 39 years old. He traveled to Memphis, TN to support a local union of black workers who were on strike. He was shot in the evening, while standing outside his hotel room in Memphis. Riots erupted across the country. The President declared April 7 a day of national mourning. The Legacy of Dr. King lives on, in many different ways. It is important to remember him for his role in the Civil Rights Movement, as an organizer, as a leader, as a thinker, and to remember his broader vision for social justice did not stop at the passage of the Civil Rights Bill.
Leader – (n.) A person who rules, guides, or inspires others; head. Dream – (v.) to see or imagine in sleep or in a vision; (n.) succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleepRights – (n.) a moral, ethical, or legal principle considered as an underlying cause of truth, justice, morality, or ethics Speech – (n.) form of communication in spoken language, made by a speaker before an audience for a given purpose Equal – (adj.) having the same value, measure, or amount as something else History – (n.) record of past events and times, especially in connection with the human race Freedom – (n.)state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint
Leader – (n.) A person who rules, guides, or inspires others; head. Dream – (v.) to see or imagine in sleep or in a vision; (n.) succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleepRights – (n.) a moral, ethical, or legal principle considered as an underlying cause of truth, justice, morality, or ethics Speech – (n.) form of communication in spoken language, made by a speaker before an audience for a given purpose Equal – (adj.) having the same value, measure, or amount as something else History – (n.) record of past events and times, especially in connection with the human race Freedom – (n.)state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint
“I Have a Dream” –phrase from the most celebrated speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered at the March on Washington in 1963 to supporters of the civil rights movement. King stressed the importance of nonviolent resistance and vividly painted his vision of a better future for people of all colors in the United States. Civil rights – rights to personal liberty established by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. constitution and certain Congressional acts, especially as applied to an individual or a minority group. (Dictionary.com) Equality – (n.) state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability.Segregation – (n.) separation or isolation of a race, class, or group (as by restriction to an area or by separate schools) Separate but Equal – A legal doctrine in United States Constitutional law that justified systems of segregation; term for a racial policy by which blacks may be segregated if granted equal opportunities and facilities, as for education, transportation, or jobs. The phrase was derived from a Louisiana law of 1890. Non-violence – (n.) policy, practice, or technique of refraining from the use of violence, especially when reacting to or protesting against oppression, injustice, or discrimination. Boycott – (v.) To refuse to buy, use, or go to, in order to make a protest or bring about a change. (also can be n.)
What are civil rights? How does a country protect a citizen’s civil rights?What do you think about racial inequality? Does it exist in your country?Does your country have leaders like Martin Luther King?Why is it important to talk about What is the meaning of the phrase, “I Have a Dream?”What is your dream for your country?
It would be great if we could somehow create a link to the PPT presentations and the dove template.
It would be great if we could somehow create a link to the PPT presentations and the dove template.
Photos of Dr. King include from copyrighted CORBIS images and from National Archives.Other photos of Activities take by English Language Fellow Ryan Brux.