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Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day – What is a holiday? – A day to have fun and remember special things – Special holidays we celebrate – Like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 4th of July! – Remembering important people – We honor heroes who have helped others – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – A day to remember Dr. King and his dream for equality | This slide introduces first graders to the concept of holidays and specifically Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Start by asking the class what they think a holiday is to engage them. Explain that holidays are special days where we celebrate or remember important events and people, like birthdays or the Fourth of July. Emphasize that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time to remember Dr. King and his work to make everyone equal. Share that Dr. King had a big dream that all people would be treated fairly no matter their skin color. Encourage the children to think about ways they can treat everyone kindly, just like Dr. King wanted.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day – When do we celebrate MLK Jr. Day? – It’s on the third Monday of January each year. – Honoring a hero, Martin Luther King Jr. – He was a leader who fought for equality. – Learning about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life – He dreamed of a world where everyone is treated fairly. – Why is this day special? | This slide introduces Martin Luther King Jr. Day to first graders, explaining when it is celebrated and why it is important. Emphasize that Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader who believed in treating everyone kindly and equally, and that we honor his memory and work on this special day. Encourage the children to think about fairness and kindness in their own lives. You can ask them to share ways they can be kind to others, just like Martin Luther King Jr. wanted for all people.

Who Was Martin Luther King Jr.? – A leader for equality – He wanted everyone to have the same rights. – Believed in fair treatment – No matter their skin color, he said everyone is equal. – Gave inspiring speeches – His ‘I Have a Dream’ speech is very famous. – Led peaceful marches – Marches were to show love and not fighting. | Martin Luther King Jr. was an important figure in American history who worked to ensure that people of all races would be treated equally. He is known for his nonviolent approach to fighting for civil rights, using speeches and marches to spread his message. When discussing King with first graders, emphasize his belief in using peaceful methods to create change and his dream of a world where everyone is treated fairly. Use simple language to explain the significance of his actions and how they helped shape the country. Encourage students to think about how they can treat others fairly in their own lives.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream – ‘I Have a Dream’ speech – MLK spoke about his hope for fairness and equality for everyone. – A world of equality – He imagined a place where people are treated the same, no matter their skin color. – Friendship among all children – He wanted kids of all different backgrounds to play and learn together. – Sharing MLK’s dream today – We honor his vision by treating everyone kindly and learning about his life. | This slide introduces students to Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, emphasizing his vision of equality and unity. Explain that MLK Jr. was a leader who wanted to create a world where everyone, regardless of their skin color, could live together in harmony. Highlight the importance of friendship among children of all backgrounds as part of his dream. Encourage students to think about how they can embody MLK’s dream in their daily lives by being kind and inclusive to all their classmates. Discuss how we celebrate his legacy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day by learning about his life and the values he stood for.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day – A day to help our communities – Like picking up litter or planting flowers – Volunteer for good deeds – Such as sharing toys or giving food to those in need – Cleaning parks, helping others – Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy – He worked to make everyone’s life better | This slide aims to teach first graders about the importance of community service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Emphasize that the day is not just a holiday from school, but a chance to make a positive impact in the world, just like Martin Luther King Jr. did. Encourage students to think of ways they can be kind and helpful at home, in school, and in their neighborhoods. Share examples of simple acts of kindness, such as helping a friend, or larger community projects, like cleaning up a local park. This will help them understand the value of service and the impact they can have on their community.

Our Dreams for a Better World – Share your dream for the world – Draw and write about kindness – Think about ways to show kindness, like sharing or helping others – Present your dreams to the class – Create a ‘Dream Mural’ together – Our mural will show all our dreams and how we can make the world better | This activity is inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Encourage the students to think about their own dreams for making the world a kinder and better place. Provide drawing materials and assist them in writing short sentences about their dreams. Once they have completed their drawings and writings, allow each student to present their work to the class. After sharing, collaborate to create a ‘Dream Mural’ on a classroom wall, showcasing all the students’ artwork and ideas. This will serve as a visual reminder of their commitment to kindness and the values taught by Martin Luther King Jr. Possible activities include drawing scenes of helping friends, sharing toys, or everyone playing together peacefully.