MLK Day

On Monday, we learned about Martin Luther King, Jr!  We read a Weekly Reader, watched a short video, and watched a 2 minute clip of his "I Have A Dream" speech. I also set up centers to get a "kindergarten perspective" about what segregation and exclusion was like.  Don't worry, it only lasted 5 minutes-- but it may have seemed like an eternity for some munchkins!

The centers were fun, and exciting, but only certain people were allowed to play.  In the picture above, the sign says "white socks only.  No colors allowed." I was extra picky, too! Only one child was allowed to decorate a cupcake... 

After a couple minutes, and a few tears later, I pulled the kids to the rug and asked how they felt about not being allowed to play because of their socks, or being a boy, or being a girl, or not wearing jeans.  The class decided that it was silly and not fair.  After we read a book about MLK and Rosa Parks, I decided to tear down the signs so we all could participate in fun play and cup cake decorating!  THE CLASS CHEERED!!!

Although it was a tough 5 minutes of "segregation", I wanted to class to get a small glimpse into what was a reality not-so-long ago.  I was also age-appropriately honest with them on MLK's death, after the question came up in class.  Curiosity is the spice of kindergarten!!