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"I want to write stories that empower kids to know that other people empowered themselves. If I have a mission, that's my mission!" - Doreen Rappaport

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Doreen Rappaport
Doreen Rappaport is an author of children's books. She writes mainly nonfiction stories about history. Other books she has written include biographies of Eleanor Roosevelt, Jack Kennedy, Hellen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, John Lennon, among others.

Illustrator:

Bryan Collier's illustrations in his newest book Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport bring to life the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This book shows Collier's talent for mixing art mediums to create stunning illustrations that entrance the reader. Martin's Big Words has received much acclaim and was awarded the 2002 Caldecott honor as well as the 2002 Coretta Scott King Honor.

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Martin Luther King, Jr., grew up in a place where people used words that made him feel bad. This beautifully illustrated, award-winning book shows how Martin used words to fight for equal rights for black people.
When Martin was growing up, he saw the words "Whites Only" all over town. But he remembered the words of his mother, "You are as good as anyone."

Doreen Rappaport has taken the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. and woven in her own to create a captivating yet completely accessible book for young readers.

This definitive picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is an unforgettable portrait of a man whose dream changed America — and the world — forever.

(Scholastic.com)

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Information on the Civil Rights Movement

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Information on the Civil Rights Movement

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This was a movement for African Americans to gain equal rights as US citizens. Martin Luther King Jr. was an equal rights activist who strived to bring peace equality to the African American community. He wanted to stop segregation between African American and white people. The separation included people attending different schools, different bathrooms, etc. African American people were not allowed to go into restaurants, stores, and public places.
The 1955-56 Montgomery Bus Boycott, a protest against segregated public facilities in Alabama, was led by Martin Luther King Jr. and lasted for 381 days.
“I have a dream,” Martin said, “that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed–we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

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Grades 3-5
Suggested Lesson Plan

1. Introduce students to  background information on the Civil Rights Movement. Explain that African American people and white people used to fight and kill each other because they were different from each other. Explain that Martin Luther King Jr. was so fed up with the fighting, that he wanted to find a way that people could come together and stop hating one another.
2. Show the video of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have A Dream Speech."
3. Read aloud "Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."
4. While reading, ask students to point out the big words and ask why those words are so important.
5. Pass out paper or a template and ask students to write a speech about a dream they may have to make the world a better place.
6. Close the lesson with sharing of student work. If this is done during Black History Month, hang the speeches on a bulletin board.

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I have used this book in a read aloud with my third graders on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I have introduced why he is such an important person in American History. This book really helps kids understand his famous "I Have A Dream" speech and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. It helps them understand and show appreciation for all he has done to move forward with ending segregation between people in the south. I would suggest any elementary teacher to use this book to teach kids about the importance of this man in history. This is a great resource to use in February which is Black History Month.

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Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Publishing Company: Scholastic
Author:
Illustrator:
Genre: Biography

Reading Level: Grade level Equivalent: 2.5

Lexile® Measure:AD410L

DRA: 18

Guided Reading: K

(Scholastic.com)