Literacy Thru a Historical Lens

Read one (or all!) of the recommended books below, and then use the three-week activity guide to discuss and reflect on the themes of the stories. 

March: Book One 

by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell 

Theme: Civil Rights, Activism, and Courage

Aligned Standard:

• CC.1.2.6-8.D: Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.

Three-Week Activity Guide:

• Week 1:
  • Read Chapters 1-2.
  • Analyze John Lewis's point of view and how it shapes the reader’s understanding of the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Activity: Write a reflective journal entry from John Lewis’s perspective during a key event in the story.
• Week 2:
  • Read Chapters 3-4.
  • Explore how visual and textual elements contribute to the narrative.
  • Activity: Create a visual storyboard of a pivotal scene and explain its significance.
• Week 3:
  • Read Chapters 5-6.
  • Discuss how themes of activism and courage resonate with MLK’s legacy.
  • Activity: Write a persuasive speech inspired by the book, encouraging young people to engage in social justice initiatives.

I Have a Dream: The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

(Illustrated by Kadir Nelson) 

Theme: Hope, Equality, and the Power of Words

Aligned Standard:

• CC.1.4.6-8.O: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

Three-Week Activity Guide:

• Week 1:
  • Read and analyze the “I Have a Dream” speech. Discuss its structure, tone, and key rhetorical strategies.
  • Activity: Identify three rhetorical strategies King uses and write a short essay explaining their impact.
• Week 2:
  • Examine Kadir Nelson’s illustrations and how they enhance the meaning of the speech.
  • Activity: Design your own illustrated response to a passage, using visuals to emphasize the message.
• Week 3:
  • Compare King’s dream to current events or personal aspirations.
  • Activity: Write a modern-day version of the “I Have a Dream” speech, addressing a relevant issue today.