2. understand Rev. King's dream of a world free of hate, prejudice, and violence.

3. understand that Rosa Parks was a courageous African-American woman whose action resulted in a change of rules and a victory for all people.

2. Review Rev. King's story and stories of the treatment of slaves in the Civil War era. Were people treated unfairly? Pose the question about judging people by their looks (skin color, clothing, weight, physical challenges, etc.).

3. Introduce the words "discriminate" and "prejudice" by putting these words on cards or writing them on the board. Can the children ever remember being afraid of or not liking someone the first time they saw the person because this person was different in some way. Do they know of a friend who has made fun of somebody because he/she was too tall, short, fat, or was wearing different clothing? Talk about prejudging someone before they really get to know them. Remind them that they might come to first grade the first day thinking that their present teacher couldn't be as nice as their previous kindergarten teacher. A book to read about a foreign child coming to America with her sisters and father and wanting to be accepted by her classmates is Angel Child, Dragon Child , by Michelle Surat. Not until the children get to know her do they treat her respectfully and fairly. Were the children in this story prejudiced? How was it overcome?

4. Have the children go back to the story of Martin Luther King Jr. What was his dream for his children and all children in the world? Why did he work for the ideals of respect, justice, fair treatment, and solving problems. How was he an unusual example? How should children work toward these goals everyday?

This might be a time when the teacher could review respect to animals and others; that was an important concept in Indian cultures. In what ways do we show respect for each other and nature? Are there ways the class could improve on respect for each other and for nature?

5. Martin Luther King Jr. believed we should try to solve problems peacefully rather than use violence. Talk about this. Give the children some examples in the classroom and on the playground where problems arise. Talk about and role-play solving the examples constructively rather then destructively.

6. Martin Luther King had a dream. Ask the children if they have a dream for their family, their school and for the world. Have them draw a picture and complete the sentence, "My dream for the would be ."

7. Remind the children of the lady who was helped by Rev. King, Rosa Parks, the African-American woman who refused to give up her bus seat to a white person. Read the story Rosa Parks , by Eloise Greenfield, or David Adler's A Picture Book of Rosa Parks . Have the children refer back to the web they made about leadership qualities for an earlier unit. Does Rosa fit some of these characteristics? Could some qualities that Rosa possessed be added to this web? Why did Martin Luther King help Rosa Parks? Why should we remember what she has done to help further the rights of African Americans?

8. This might be an opportune time to discuss what "civil rights" means: the rights of a citizen, especially the rights guaranteed to all U.S. citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, or sex. The teacher might want to review how in the early part of this century there were signs at parks, drinking fountains, entrances, etc., that said "white only" "no blacks." Again, the teacher could review the concept of feelings and why one group of people should not feel they are better than another.

2. Make a friendship tree with multicolored leaves or doves, birds of peace. When a child does or hears of something that shows respect for others' feelings, put the person's name on the leaf or bird. This could change seasonally using other symbols of nature.

3. Have children interview relatives and neighbors and, if possible, have people come in and share their cultures. Recipes, crafts, games, and traditions can be used to help children learn to appreciate others.

4. Have the children pair up with another child in another classroom. Have them talk with each other and come up with a list of ways they are alike. This is a good way to meet the children in another class.

5. Perhaps the class can get pen pals from another state or country. The class could write a class letter or cooperative group letters.

6. Read the book Peace Begins with You , by Katherine Scholes. This book, in simple terms, explains the concept of peace in our lives, our country, and our world. This book begins with the individual and broadens to national and international issues. Have the children make handprint cutouts of themselves, their relatives, and friends as a bulletin board, entitled "Peace." The letters should be made out of their handprints. This is a wonderful bulletin board to welcome in the new year.

7. Have the children learn the song "We Shall Overcome," and discuss the meaning of the words.