Young historians watch a video of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his "I Have a Dream" speech and answer questions that test their knowledge of the event. After discussing the fact sheet, they reread the speech, select a phrase or line that they find particularly powerful, and illustrate this passage.

Concepts

martin luther king jr., i have a dream speech, literary analysis, black history month, the civil rights movement, imagery, rhetorical devices

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Instructional Ideas

• Conduct the lesson before Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday or during February's Black History Month
• Post the artwork about the classroom and conduct a gallery walk of the images

Classroom Considerations

• Although designed for middle school, the lesson is appropriate for high schoolers as well
• Copies of the fact sheet are required

Pros

• Class members are encouraged to use technology to create their illustrations
• The activity invites participants to a close and careful study of the speech
• An answer key is provided for the fact sheet

Cons

• None