Each of you will get to volunteer to choose which part of the presentation you would
like to research and create with other team members. The teacher
can get involved in assigning people to teams if the volunteer method
does not work.
Although each section of the process provides specific links to help you with each
task, some links can be used to complete tasks in other areas. Feel free to go outside
of these links to also get what you need by using Internet search engines designed
especially for children.
Create the Family Tree First you need to get an understanding of how to make a family tree. Visit Your Family Treeto practice. Go through the steps to make your own family tree first.
Now that you are comfortable with the process,
you are ready to make Martin Luther
King's family tree. You will
need to visit some websites to find photos and information
about his family members. The tree should include the following
family members:
Martin Luther King, Jr., his parents, his
brothers and sisters, both sets of his grandparents,
his wife, and his children.
Using as much of the
information as you can, go back to the link where you practiced
making your family tree. Now make Dr.
King's family tree. Wherever
it says "my", replace it
with "his". You can use page 1 of The King Family Tree to help you organize your ideas as
well. For the program, we will need to have a larger tree so that it can be easily seen by
the audience. You will use paper no smaller than 24 inches by 36 inches to create the
tree by hand. Each section of it should also include (if you can find it) the full name
of the family member, nickname, birthdate, birthplace, occupation (job), date of death,
and a photo. Be creative with your finished product.
Make the Timeline The important events in Dr. King's life can be shown in a timeline. Use the sample
timelines of information provided to create your own timeline of Dr. King's life. Events
should span from birth to death. There should be a minimum of 20 events. Enter your information using the Timeliner program.
Transfer the information to butcher paper or bulletin board paper so that it can be
easily seen by an audience. Use Microsoft Word to create each section so that it can
be neat and easy to read. There should be a photo to go with each event. Use this
page to help you begin organizing information.
One way to tell a story is by writing and/or performing a play. Get some tips for How to Write a Play. Now practice by participating in the activity, Writing Your Own Play.
Read some of the books about the life of Dr. King from the For Further Reading
list. Pick a time period during Dr. King's life to use as the
setting and scenario for your play. Some possibilities could be:
- Your play should have a title, a list of characters, and be written as a play script.
- The content of the play should be based on REAL facts that you have researched.
- You may also be creative and include other details.
- Use Microsoft Word to type your script.
- Your team members will perform this play at the fundraising event.
Dr. King is shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee
Dr. King's tomb at the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Construct the Mobile
The death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shocked the nation and the world. Make a
mobile to show what led up to Dr. King's assassination and the events that followed.
Visit the Mobiles You Can Make link to get an idea of how you want to make your mobile.
