My+Brother+Martin+Reinforcing+Activity

My Brother Martin: Reinforcing Activity

__**Objective:**__ Students will be able to compare and contrast discrimination from the 1960s and today through reading and reflecting on the book //My Brother Martin.//

__ **Materials:** __ -Book-//My Brother Martin// //-//One sheet of notebook paper for each student.

__**Procedures:**__ To begin the activity, first read //My Brother Martin// to the students. As you read the story, make sure to stop at the difficult words such as bigotry and segregation and ensure student's understanding. After you finish the story, have a short discussion about the students’ general thoughts on the book. Ask guided questions such as:
 * What were some thoughts going through your mind when you heard that Martin could not play with his friends because of the color of his skin?
 * How did Martin’s dad inspire him? Has anyone in your life inspired you to do good for someone or something else?
 * What were some of Martin’s core beliefs?
 * Would you be brave like Martin was to speak in front of hundreds of thousands of people? Emphasize to students what Martin Luther King Jr. had to face when he voiced his opinions and how dangerous it was for him to speak in such a way during a racist dominated time period in America.
 * Does discrimination still exist today like it did while Martin was a child? What can you do about it?

After the discussion, give students these scenarios to choose from to write about: -If you were living during the 1960s when people were judged based on the color of their skin, just as Martin did, what would you do to help people see that everyone deserves to be treated equally regardless of their skin color? Remember that this was a very dangerous time for people to speak up about their thoughts especially if they went against the popular belief of white superiority. Include at least one reference from My Brother Martin.

-If you heard someone, whether it was a student in the hallway, or a person on the street, say something mean to another person based on how they look, think, or believe, what would you say to them, if anything at all? Describe why you would say what you said or why you would not say anything. Include at least one reference from My Brother Martin.

Give students 20-30 minutes to write their reflections and encourage them to illustrate a picture to go along with their descriptions if time allows. Spend time having each student share what they wrote/drew, even if you run out of time and have to continue sharing the next day. This will show students how important the issue of racism was and still is today. Also, emphasize how in order for people to participate effectively and ensure their voices are heard, they must be informed and have evidence to support their reasoning.

__**Other Standards: **__ Grade: 4 Strand: Government Topic: Civic Participation and Skills <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content Statement: 16. Civic participation requires individuals to make informed and reasoned decisions by accessing and using information effectively.