Peace

PEACE......

When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics,  will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: 

 Free at last!  Free at Last!  

Thank God, Almighty, we are free at last!

    ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I HAVE A DREAM" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.  This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the delivery of that powerful, historical speech.

In his picture book I Have a Dream Kadir Nelson, Caldecott Honoree, has illustrated the most iconic words from Dr. King's speech with his beautiful paintings.  Truly the paintings in this picture book beautifully enhance the inspiring words spoken 50 years ago.  Dr. King's speech has been one I have always admired.  It is right to dream for a better world.  It is right to dream for peace.  It is our duty to work for that peace with Dr. King as our model.

Along with Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, I have always been very touched by his last sermon delivered in Mississippi the day before he was assassinated.  You can watch a wonderful tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. highlighting his last sermon "If I Had Sneezed....." HERE.

We thank Mr Nelson for creating paintings to provide the first and only picture book of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s inspiring words for our children.  It is of paramount importance that our children as well as all of us recognize we must keep working for that dream of equality and peace.
 

 

In the wake of so many horrific acts of violence, many of which our children see on the news or on the computer, I find myself pushing character education into my classroom more and more.  There is a great need to teach children to be kind to one another and so many children’s books can teach that lesson.  Using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his famous speech as inspirations we have compiled some activities that can be used to promote peace and kindness (Click on the titles to link to the websites).  

Peace Dove Garland from PBS

              

Random Acts of Kindness from The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

 

              

Planting Seeds of Kindness from Toddler Approved

 

               

I Have a Dream Dreamcatchers from Rainbows Within Reach

 

             

 

 Unity Wreath from DLTK Growing Together

   

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 

"If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" 

But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 

"If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

  ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr