Introduction:  Learners will compare and contrast life before and after Dr. King and the civil rights movement.  They will discuss the concept of "fair" and "unfair."  They will also identify people who are good citizens and describe the character traits that make them admirable.

This activity is meant to discuss why we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and explore student ideas of what it means to be fair and a good citizen in their classroom, community/country, and the world.

Driving Questions: What is fair? What is unfair? What does it mean to be a good citizen?

Focus: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Grabber:

In Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s time, there were some very bad laws in our country.  Tell students to special attention and to look for things that are unfair in the following videos. Give students time to view each link, then have learners pair share their thoughts after each. (The third one uses actual photos and is a bit more lengthy-but contains valuable information.  Please consider a whole class showing of this and pausing it to discuss along the way.)

Read Aloud: My First Biography- Martin Luther King Jr.

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Kid President

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A Bio for Kids

Help learners articulate that it is wrong to treat people differently based on how they look.  Maybe use examples like "All students who have brown eyes gets ice cream for lunch today.  Everyone else gets pudding." Discuss the positive changes Martin Luther King Jr. made in the world.  One person does have the power to change the world. What things do they think could be improved?  Have them share ideas with a shoulder partner.  This is how change begins!

Now Watch a video about how to be a good citizen in the classroom.

Video: Citizenship in the Classroom

After watching the video, ask what made MLK, Jr. a good citizen? 

Then show Video: We are all Connected- Global Citizens

                    (Additional resource videos:    Martin Luther King, Jr. Resources)

Lesson:

What does it mean to be a world citizen? 
Discuss the following points made in the video and brainstorm examples: 
1)When something happens on one side of the world, it affects people on the other side of the world, because we are all connected!  2)A world citizen understands that we are connected, and works to help everyone have the same human rights no matter where they live.  3)A world citizen respects all cultures and religions, even if they do things a little differently than we do.  4)A world citizen knows that there are many different perspectives and different ways to solve problems. 5)We should be a good role model for others, take responsibility for our actions, and have compassion for others around the world.  6)A world citizen works with others to protect our planet and to fight inequality. 

Team Activity:

Split students into small groups have them discuss ideas of what they think it means to be a citizen. Give each group a scenario to brainstorm ideas and record on big paper.  Scenarios could include how to be a citizen at school, home, out in public, etc. How do their ideas would fit into MLK’s dream of what it means to be a good citizen? Then have the class come back together and present posters.

Assessment: Have students think about the qualities of a world citizen, and how they can show they are a kid world citizen.  Use paper/pencil or digital draw program to have student create a picture demonstrating how they can be a world citizen. Add a sentence or two, either by typing, transcription, or a digital voice recording.