📖

Young Martin's World

Martin Luther King Jr.: Dreamer of Equality

Day 36of 180
Week 8of 36
20Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Learn about Martin Luther King Jr.'s childhood

2

Understand how some people were treated unfairly because of skin color

3

Recognize God's love for all people

📖 Scripture Connection

Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

— Galatians 3:28 (WEB)

God sees all people as equally valuable and loved

📦 Materials Needed

  • MLK Jr. children's biography
  • Large paper
  • Colored pencils/crayons
  • Bible
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather children in a circle and explain today we'll learn about a special person who helped make the world more fair

💭 Review Question: What does it mean to be kind to everyone?
2Teaching (8 min)

Tell story of Martin Luther King Jr.'s childhood, focusing on how he experienced unfairness and learned to respond with love

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Martin was a young boy who noticed people were treated differently
  • Some stores and schools did not welcome people with dark skin
  • Martin believed everyone should be treated with respect
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How do you think Martin felt when people were unkind?
  • What would Jesus want us to do when someone is treated unfairly?
3Activity: Friendship Rainbow (5 min)
art

Children create a rainbow drawing showing people of different colors holding hands

📝 Instructions:
  1. Give each child a large piece of paper
  2. Draw rainbow arcs
  3. Color stick figures of different colors holding hands under rainbow
  4. Write 'God Loves Everyone' at bottom
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Trace pre-drawn rainbow with help

Challenge: Add details showing different ways people can be friends

4Closing (2 min)

Review what we learned about Martin Luther King Jr. and God's love

📝 Review Questions:
  • What made Martin special?
  • How can we be kind to everyone?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help us love everyone and treat them the way You would.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn more about Martin's big dream for everyone

💎 Memory Verse

1 Samuel 16:7

“For Yahweh sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”

— 1 Samuel 16:7 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Heart Tracing: Draw a large heart and have children trace it while repeating verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

First grade introduction to civil rights history

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use gentle, age-appropriate language
  • Focus on love and fairness
  • Avoid frightening details
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may have questions about race they're unsure how to ask

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Empathy and understanding in child's responses

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Read additional children's books about Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Watch age-appropriate documentary clips
  • Discuss ways to be kind to everyone at home and school

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 37 →Back to History & Social Studies