One+Million+Men+And+Me+Remembering+Activity

Students may not have heard about The Million Man March before and the information in the book is more personal to the little girl in the story, but it does convey the importance and inspiration the event expressed. I would give the students a little more background information on The Million Man March. The Author’s Note in the back of the book provides some background information to specifics of the event and why it was done.


 * __Guided Discussion__: **

Then I will ask the students these questions to allow them to think deeper into the context: After discussing these questions talk to the class about how powerful a community of people can be when they come together and work towards a common goal. The impact of The Million Man March has inspired many Marches since then and truly made a difference in the America.
 * Why was the Million Man March important?
 * Why did the illustrator portray the men in royal African clothes? Is that really how they dressed? (Page 7 and 8)
 * What do you think Nia wished for when she looked at the Reflecting Pool? (Page 23 and 24)
 * Do you think that this day will change Nia and her father’s outlook on life?


 * __Activity__: **

Materials:
 * Markers
 * Paper
 * One Million Men and Me
 * Paint stirrers (for sticks for the backs of the signs)
 * Tape (to tape the stick on the back of the sign

**Show the class pages 21 and 22

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Say something to the class along these lines:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Now that you have seen a sign in the book like some of the signs that the men were holding up, I would like you to create your own signs like the men from The Million Man March! I want you to use big and bold letters, just like they did. I would like you to write some things that are important to you on the sign—things that you would stand up for. Please incorporate slogans/words in your signs that are important to you! I will write some words on the board that were often used to describe this event that you could put on your signs. Use as much creativity as you can with this because the possibilities are limitless.” <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Words from the book that should be written on the board:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Freedom
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Justice
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Prayer
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Purpose
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Friends
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Peace

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Additional Standards - Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities