In this activity, students will provide a summary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Have students break down his speech into key parts and illustrate with Photos For Class or Storyboard That artwork in a storyboard.
Example I Have a Dream Speech Summary
Martin Luther King Jr. begins his speech by referencing the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the beacon of hope it provided for African Americans. The image shows the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in 1863.
Next, he continues on to describe the injustice and segregation that African Americans are facing. The image shows an African American in the back of a police car.
King states that this is just the beginning and there will be no backing down until African Americans are considered equal. The man in the image is wearing a picket sign that is encouraging the end of segregation.
Next, King demands that people maintain their dignity and discipline; he does not want people to resort to violence. The image shows a young man peacefully sitting in a restaurant that refused to serve African Americans.
He continues to encourage people to have faith and to press on until his dream is realized and citizens of different races can live together peacefully. The image is of an African American who continues to pray and have faith in the movement.
King ends the speech preaching about all of God’s children across the United States being able to live in a free and equal world. The image used is a photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington.
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Due Date:
Objective:Create a storyboard that summarizes Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech".
Student Instructions:
Begin with an introduction to Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream," highlighting its historical significance and the context in which it was delivered. Discuss the concept of role-playing and explain how it will be used to explore the central ideas of the speech. Outline the objectives of the role-play activity, emphasizing understanding the speech's key messages and themes.
Divide the speech into sections, each representing a central idea or theme. Assign different sections to small groups or pairs of students. Each group is responsible for understanding their section's content and the central idea it conveys. Explain that they will be role-playing this section, bringing the words and ideas to life. Encourage them to think about tone, emotion, and emphasis to accurately convey the message.
Give students time to prepare for their role-play. They should read and discuss their section in their groups, ensuring they understand the meaning and significance of the words. Encourage them to practice their role-play, focusing on how they will deliver the speech to convey its central idea effectively. Provide guidance and support, helping them interpret the speech and plan their performance.
Organize a session where each group performs their role-play of their assigned section of the speech. After each performance, hold a brief discussion, encouraging the performers to explain the central idea of their section and how they chose to convey it. Invite feedback from other students on what they learned from each performance and how it deepened their understanding of the speech's central ideas.
The primary themes of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech are racial equality, justice, and the end of segregation. King vividly describes the struggles and injustices faced by African Americans, calling for an end to racism and the fulfillment of the promises of freedom and equality laid out in the American Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Another central theme is the power of dreams and hope. King articulates his vision of a future where people of all races can live together in harmony and mutual respect. This optimistic outlook is juxtaposed against the grim reality of racial discrimination, serving as a powerful call to action for change and progress.
In "I Have a Dream," Martin Luther King Jr. emphasizes the importance of nonviolent protest as the means to achieve civil rights goals. He advocates for peaceful demonstration and civil disobedience as tools for social change, aligning with his broader philosophy and strategy throughout the Civil Rights Movement. King underscores the moral high ground of nonviolent resistance, suggesting that it is a powerful and effective way to confront injustice and inequality. He acknowledges the challenges and frustrations of the movement but insists that nonviolent actions will lead to meaningful and lasting changes in society.
Throughout the speech, King uses contrasts and comparisons to highlight racial disparities in America. He juxtaposes the ideals of freedom and democracy promised to all Americans with the harsh realities of segregation and discrimination faced by African Americans. For example, King contrasts the desolate state of life for African Americans with the dream of equality and brotherhood. These contrasts serve to emphasize the gap between the American ideal and the lived experience of black Americans. By highlighting these disparities, King underscores the urgency of the Civil Rights Movement and the need for immediate action to bridge this gap.