Students will dramatize an episode from the childhood of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and imagine how the event might have started him on his lifelong crusade to end racism.
Grades
3–5
Sheltered by his loving family, young Martin Luther King Jr. grew up happily unaware of racism — until a callous and prejudiced neighbor opened his eyes. The "I Have a Dream" Play printable contains an original play that dramatizes a true episode from Dr. King's childhood, imagining how it might have started him on his lifelong crusade to end racism.
Talk About the Context
Discuss examples of prejudice and discrimination, including forms of segregation and oppression that Dr. King fought during his lifetime. Explain that for more than 100 years following the official end of slavery in 1863, there were, in effect, two societies — one for whites, and one, restricted and inferior, for blacks. Black people had to go to separate schools, sit in separate sections in movie theaters and on buses, and use separate drinking fountains. “Whites only” signs hung outside many restaurants and pools. This was the society Dr. King grew up in and the conditions that drove him to crusade for equality.
Talk About the Genre
Explain that this play is a work of historical fiction, a story that is based on a true incident from history. The incident in the play is well-known, but the dialogue and some details are made up. Ask your students the following questions:
Assign Roles
There are ten characters in the play. Give more children a chance to read aloud by casting new children for each scene (25 roles in all).
Scene 3
Scene 6
This article was originally published in the January/February 2003 issue of Teacher magazine.
Teach students about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his nonviolent fight for civil rights in the United States with these resources.
