Lesson Title: Have Their Dreams Been Realized

Lesson Title: Have their dreams been realized?

Course: Minority Perspectives / 9-12th Grade (Alternative to traditional U.S. History)

Unit of Study: Critical Perspectives of 1960’s

Abstract

President John F. Kennedy, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X were among the political leaders of the 1960s who were assassinated. These leaders were known for their outstanding abilities to articulate their dreams and beliefs in their speeches. By learning about the leaders of the 1960s, reading and discussing the speeches they gave, thinking and talking about the times they lived in, comparing the 1960s to the present and preparing a speech from the perspective of one of the leaders, students will gain insight into the past, think about their present lives and increase their understanding of change.

Objectives:

Students will:

·be able to describe the life and beliefs of 1960s national figures. [Michigan Standard I.2.HS.3 –Comprehending the Past]

·write and deliver a speech. [Michigan Standard VI.3.HS.1 -Persuasive Writing]

·analyze the past and its bearing on the future. [Michigan Standard I.3.HS.1 –Analyzing and Interpreting the Past]

Key Concepts

Inaugural address

Civil Rights Movement

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Malcolm X

John F. Kennedy

Instructional Resources

Text of speeches

·John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address (http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres56.html)

·I Have a Dream, Martin Luther King, Jr. (http://web66.coled.umn.edu/new/MLK/MLK.html)

·Malcolm X Speeches (http://www.brothermalcolm.net/whathesaidarchive.html)

·Martin Luther King, Jr. – (http://www.lib.lsu.edu/hum/mlk/srs218.html)

·JFK Jr. Library and Museum – (http://www.cs.umb.edu/jfklib/index.htm)

Sequence of Activities

1.Have students find out who President John F. Kennedy, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were, what they stood for, what they believed in and what happened to them. Sources include the following 1960s listed above.

2.In small groups have students read or listen to these speeches.

3.Help them study and analyze these speeches to determine the main ideas. Discuss the speeches based on what the students have learned from reading and studying them. Ask students to consider these questions when preparing their speeches as if they were the leaders today:

·What did the historic figure believe in?

·What were the 1960s like?

·What things did the leader want to change?

·Have these things changed?

·Are there things happening now that these leaders would want to change?

4.Talk about how these leaders used words to excite people. Look for:

·repeated words

·words that paint pictures

·adjectives that convey emotion

Assessment

Observing the quality, quantity, and level of interest in the large group discussion are all informal measurements of assessment that are going to be used.

Formal assessment will occur when students prepare a 3-5 minute long speech to present in front of the class for homework. Each student will imagine he or she is one of these former leaders who has come back to visit. Students should talk about what has changed and what has remained the same since the 1960s. Which of their dreams were realized? Which were not? How did people carry out their wishes?