How to Make a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, "I Have a Dream" Book

A Classroom Activity for Kids

Janet Roof
Promote children's dreams by having them create an "I have a dream book". This is a fun activity for kids to showcase their thoughts about changing the world.

Begin by familiarizing the kids with Martin Luther King Jr. and his famous speech. Then have the kids create an, "I have a dream book". This activity can adjust it to suit the needs of any age group. The amount of pages required for the dream book is not important; it can be as long or as short as you require and be created using written word or picture collage.

Have the kids create their very own Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, "I have a dream book" by writing a number of things they would like to change in the word today and their dreams of the future. Once this is completed they will need to put their ideas into book form.

Create pages using construction paper. Cut pages into a special shape such as rainbows, clouds, circles, hearts, etc. To assure each page will be the same shape and size, create a template on a heavy piece of paper first. You can recycle an old file folder or cereal box these will do nicely.

Once you have your template place it on piece of construction paper and trace around the shape and cut it out. Continue this step until all the pages needed to complete the book are available.

Use a hole punch to create two holes to bind the pages together. You can attach all the pages of the book by using brass fasteners, ribbon, yarn, rope or string.

Decorating options are unlimited depending on your resources you can use just about anything you like.

Each page will represent a dream. Kids should write the dream at the top of the page and below explain the dream using written words or a picture collage. The possibilities are endless for this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Have the kids bring old magazines to the classroom, young kids love to cut pictures out of magazines and newspapers, if this is not possible assign it as homework and have them gather the pictures on their own.

If this assignment is for older kids, focus on sentence structure. Have them read a book about Martin Luther King, Jr. and create their book in a more structured way, depending on your present lesson plan.

Kids of all ages will enjoy making an, "I have a dream book" to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Article Resources:

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/home.jsp

Published by Janet Roof

Janet is a featured contributor in video productions, her unique time lapse video recipe tutorials have been featured and distributed through popular conglomerates. An advocate for domestic violence, Ms....  View profile

12 Comments

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  • Cami Micheals1/11/2009

    This is a great idea! Very original!

  • DK Jordan1/10/2009

    great activity. Sure to entertain.

  • Charlotte Kuchinsky1/9/2009

    Super idea.

  • 3lilangels1/9/2009

    very cute and creative!!!!!!

  • MADAM BUTTERFLY1/9/2009

    really creative..you got in you girl..love it!

  • Sylvia Cochran1/8/2009

    Creative!

  • Someones Sister1/8/2009

    I had a dream as well and it used to be in color. Now I can not remember them. Bummer huh.

  • Aaron Tadeo1/8/2009

    That's an excellent idea and could really be good for the children.

  • C. Jeanne Heida1/8/2009

    Wonder activity for a classroom!

  • jpsixbear1/8/2009

    i really like this idea, i hope momie tulottes sees it for her home school

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