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Learn About Martin Luther King, Jr.

I want to share a story with you - a story about my life and a valuable lesson I learned as an adult. As we approach the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, I feel this story is important to tell.

I never grew up with an appreciation for Dr. King.   I wasn't taught about him in school, and really never even knew much about him until I moved to Atlanta in 1996.   Isn't that a shame?

The area where I was born and raised was not very diverse.    Ok.   It wasn't diverse AT ALL. 

(One of the reasons I'm so glad we homeschool is because we can let our children be exposed to diverse people and situations - they don't have to be stuck in the same 4 walls each and every day!) 

As I went to college I began to encounter more people different than me, but when it came down to it, I functioned and lived with people who looked just like me.

When I was 24 my life and perspective broadened, and I am so thankful it did.

Learn About Martin Luther King, Jr. - Free Quotes & Copywork Printable

I began a teaching job in a 100% African American school in Atlanta.  

This was no ordinary school, either.

It was fashioned after the schools started by Dr. Marva Collins.  It was a strict, rigorous environment, with wonderful parental involvement and student success.   It has consistently been one of the highest performing schools in our state.

(I bet when I said 100% African American you didn't quite expect that description of the school, did you?)  

This is how prejudices and assumptions still run deep, even among people who claim they don't have a prejudiced bone in their body.    It is my hope and prayer that we can abolish this in our children's generation.

I learned quickly how much Dr. King meant to so many people.

I heard 100 Kindergarten students recite the ENTIRE I Have a Dream Speech.  

I became friends with a teacher who remembered sitting in the back of the bus riding to downtown Atlanta, and not being able to use the same bathrooms as whites.  

I watched a classroom of children dramatize Rosa Parks being unwilling to move to the back of the bus.  I will never forget the little girl that played Rosa... I can still see her fiery attitude as she planted herself in the front and would not move.  

I was changed in many ways during my time teaching in that elementary school.   

I thank GOD for the opportunity I had to be "the minority".   

Most of all, I learned that we are not that far removed from racism.  It is just a generation away (sometimes not even that far) and that is truly sobering.

I believe it is our duty and responsibility to teach our children about Dr. King.   As homeschooling parents we have the opportunity and freedom to teach our children about anything we want.  Teaching them about Dr. King is IMPORTANT.

We've studied about Dr. King each year in January, and I encourage you to do the same. 

Resources to Learn About Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have also created a free copywork download that includes five of my favorite quotes from Dr. King.   

Sample:

 

It is geared toward your learners that are working on beautiful cursive.   

Enjoy!  

Download the Copywork

 

Will you be studying Dr. King in your homeschool any time soon?

Learn About Martin Luther King, Jr. - free quotes & copywork printable

Immersing Ourselves in The Chronicles of Narnia

One of the greatest joys of homeschooling is sharing beautiful literature with my children.

This year we've fallen in love (again) with The Chronicles of Narnia. 

I've started at the beginning (The Magician's Nephew - there is some debate whether this is the "beginning" -  I think it makes sense to read it first) and am reading every book in the series aloud to my 11 year old son. 

(My daughter devoured the series when she was in the 4th grade... first with me reading it aloud, and then she wanted to read the series AGAIN on her own. I LOVE that!) 

I used to foolishly believe we didn't have TIME for read alouds in our homeschool day. Now that I am older and hopefully wiser I realize reading aloud is perhaps the SINGLE BEST INVESTMENT we can make in our children's education. 

Shared moments during a wonderful piece of literature remain in our children's memories for a lifetime. 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Why THIS Series? 

Out of all the series out there to be read aloud, this series is so rich in symbolism, language, imagination, and depth. 

The books provide a fantastic STORY for all ages and older children can dig into the rich MEANING behind the words, while adults can reflect on an even deeper level about our own faith.

You can learn history (WWII and the history surrounding CS Lewis' time), geography (England), science (lions), English (literary devices), and so much more.  In fact, I have a FREE DOWNLOAD for you at the end of this post to help enhance your children's learning! 

( In our Challenge program the children explore these books and write persuasive essays on them. )

Then, there is just the pure ENJOYMENT and WONDER factor... each time I read aloud from these books my children's attention is focused on the story and we all want to hear MORE.  Generally I'm sitting on the sofa and LEGOS are being built and a dog is curled up close by. 

It's a precious time I want to make the most of.

So I would challenge you.... if you've never read this series aloud to your children, you MUST!  Or, if you're not a huge reading aloud person, get the audio books (I have some suggestions below.).

Ideas & Resources for The Chronicles of Narnia

Books and Audio:

We own the entire series -- I discovered quickly children want to read these books again and again.  Whether you read them aloud, alone, or listen to the audiobook, the gift of CS Lewis remains the same. 

( After we finish the series this time, we will also be doing A Year With Aslan - Daily Reflections from The Chronicles of Narnia.   What a great way to keep CS Lewis' message close to our hearts . )

If you're an audio book person, you can always use the unabridged audio books and keep them in the car for entertainment on the go! 

The BBC offers a wonderful radio dramatization of The Chronicles of Narnia... we're big fans of this! 

And, Focus on the Family has their own radio dramatization, too.

And... you can listen to some of the books for FREE online at Ancient Faith Ministries. 

Live Performances

Our most recent reading of The Chronicles of Narnia was inspired because of a play we wanted to see at The Alliance Theater in Atlanta. (You can see pics and an article from Broadway World -- what a great experience!)  We went with a large group of friends to the play last week, and I wanted to have read the books again in preparation. 

The show did not disappoint, and was an incredible one hour performance -- told from the perspective of an adult Peter & Lucy -- of their adventures in Narnia. Everything that happened OUTSIDE the circle was NOW... inside the circle was back THEN.  It was so well done!

Investigate to see if there is going to be a performance in your area - and take your children to see it! 

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe Performance


Unit Studies, Lapbooks, & More

Certainly reading the series can stand ALONE, but we've found a lot of  supplemental resources over the years that just enhance our learning.  I've compiled a few of our favorites.  Remember, find ONE GOOD RESOURCE and utilize it.  Less is more. 

The Movies

Yes, we watch the movies, but not until we've read the books!   It's fun to compare, contrast, and have good discussions after we've read and watched. 

I've been taping them as I see them come on cable, but here are links to the various movies so you can see for yourself.

FREE Copywork Download

Children learn to be good writers by following models. I have found the act of copying passages/quotes from great pieces of literature to be of tremendous value to my children. 

Not only does it cement great writing in their heads, but it also helps them practice their own handwriting and habit of excellence and attention. 

I have created print and cursive copywork pages for The Magician's Nephew.  Each version includes 8 quotes from the book with lined paper for copywork. Click either image below to get them. We’ll email both to you in one email.


Have you read The Chronicles of Narnia to your children?  Or have your children read them on their own?   I'd love to know about your experience with this series!

 

The Chronicles of Narnia -- resources & free copywork