American Culture Webinars

For English Language Teachers

Brought to you by :U.S. Embassy Lima’s Public Affairs Section

WELCOME!

Our goal: to provide info on U.S. culture AND to help you create an effective plan to use in your classroom.

Please ask questions! That’s why we’re here.

First Question:

Do you know who this man is?

If you know who he is, what do you think he is thinking about?

Martin Luther King Jr.

January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

Second question: What is Black History Month?

• BHM is about honoring the achievements of African-Americans and celebrating their influence on American society

• Recognized formally by the U.S. government in 1976 during the bicentennial

February is Black History Month

Life of Dr. KingAmerican Civil Rights leader, born in Atlanta, Georgia – January 15, 1929.

Became a pastor at age 25 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Dr. King espoused “non-violence” as a means to achieve social change.

Life of Dr. King

Notable campaigns took place across the south, Georgia, Alabama, Florida.

In 1963, MLK was arrested in Birmingham. His famous “Letter from a Birmingham jail” was written there.

“I Have a Dream”

• What is the message to students:

March on WashingtonAugust 28, 1963

“I Have a Dream”Speech considered one of the best in American history

Dr. King presented vision for a United States no longer divided by race, where people are judged “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Life of Dr. KingCivil Rights Act of 1964 passed. Dr. King is at President Johnson’s side for the signing.

In October 1964, Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Life and Death of Dr. King

Plan your Lesson Plan

1) What are your topics?

2) What kind of questions/conversations starters will you ask?

3) What new vocabulary do you need?

4) What activities can you do with your students?

Vocabulary - Beginner

leader dream

freedom

rights

history

speech equal

DefinitionsLeader – (n.) A person who rules, guides, or inspires others; head. Dream – (v.) to see or imagine in sleep or in a vision; (n.) succession of images,

thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep

Rights – (n.) a moral, ethical, or legal principle considered as an underlying cause of truth, justice, morality, or ethics

Speech – (n.) form of communication in spoken language, made by a speaker before an

audience for a given purpose Equal – (adj.) having the same value, measure, or amount as something else History – (n.) record of past events and times, especially in connection with the human

race Freedom – (n.) state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under

physical restraint

Vocabulary - Advanced

Martin Luther King Jr.

“I Have a dream”

segregation

Civil rights

“Separate but equal”

Non-violence

equality

boycott

Definitions

“I Have a Dream” –phrase from the most celebrated speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered at the March on Washington in 1963 to supporters of the civil rights movement. King stressed the importance of nonviolent resistance and vividly painted his vision of a better future for people of all colors in the United States.

Civil rights – rights to personal liberty established by the 13th and 14th

Amendments to the U.S. constitution and certain Congressional acts, especially as applied to an individual or a minority group. (Dictionary.com)

Equality – (n.) state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree,

value, rank, or ability.

Segregation – (n.) separation or isolation of a race, class, or group (as by restriction to an area or by separate schools)

Definitions

Separate but Equal – A legal doctrine in United States Constitutional law that justified systems of segregation; term for a racial policy by which blacks may be segregated if granted equal opportunities and facilities, as for education, transportation, or jobs. The phrase was derived from a Louisiana law of 1890.

Non-violence – (n.) policy, practice, or technique of refraining from the

use of violence, especially when reacting to or protesting against oppression, injustice, or discrimination.

Boycott – (v.) To refuse to buy, use, or go to, in order to make a protest

or bring about a change. (also can be n.)

Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions• What are civil rights? How does a country

protect a citizen’s civil rights?• What do you think about racial inequality? Does

it exist in your country?• Does your country have leaders like Martin

Luther King?• What is the meaning of the phrase, “I Have a

Dream?” • What is your dream for your country?

What Other Questions Do You Have?

Activities

1) MLK Interactive Timeline• Using the picture timeline, go through the events of

MLK’s life. Address any comprehension issues. Point out Vocabulary,

• Break students into groups. With a timeline set for each group, have students write out the key idea for each event. Have students put events in order.

• When all groups have finished, choose students to orally tell each event.

Timeline Activity

Step 1 – Teach the story in the classroom using the timeline pictures

Timeline Activity

Step 2 – Print out slides and have students write/discuss what each slide shows

Timeline Activity

Step 3 – Put the events in order, Students describe the events

Activities

2) “I Have a Dream” (see pictures)• Watch a short clip from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgYzJGmBXU8• Discuss some examples of dreams (i.e. to own one’s own

business)• Distribute Dove Template.

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/dove_template.htm Have students reflect and write down their personal dream. Post around the room.

• Have students participate in a gallery walk, in which they walk around the room and read each other’s dreams

Dove Activity

Step 1 – Cut out dove template and write dreams in EnglishStep 2 – Hang doves on clothesline or wall in classroomStep 3 – Take a gallery walk and visit each dove, talk with students about messages

Resources

American English webpage– americanenglish.state.gov

RELO Andes webpage– reloandes.com (link to this presentation found here!)

Larry Ferlazzo’s List of Best Websites– Best websites to teach about Black History– Best websites about teach about Martin Luther King

LevelUpper-Beginner

Topic/ThemeAmerican Culture: Black History Month and Martin Luther King, Jr.

American Culture Themes : Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr.

Black History Month is celebrated every year in February. It is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions to American society by African-Americans.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was an important civil rights leader who believed in non-violence His “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in August 1963 inspired the whole country and is considered one of the best speeches in American history.

Equality for all citizens is an American value. The United States, and any country that shares this value, must continue to work toward this goal.

VocabularyCivil RightsMartin Luther King, Jr.Non-violenceFreedomEquality (opposite: Inequality)DreamSegregationBoycott“I Have a Dream”African-American

Questions/Conversation StartersWhat are civil rights? How does a country protect a citizen’s civil rights? What do you think about racial inequality? Does it exist in your country? Does your country have leaders like Martin Luther King? Why is it important to talk about civil rights?

What is the meaning of the phrase, “I Have a Dream?” What is your dream for your country?

Suggested Extension ActivityMLK Interactive Timeline + “I Have a Dream” (see pictures) From the timeline, go through the events of MLK’s life. Address any comprehension issues. Break students into groups. With a timeline set for each group have students write out the key

idea for each event. Have students put events in order. Watch a short clip from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Discuss some examples of dreams (i.e.

to own one’s own business) Distribute Dove Template. Have students reflect and write down their personal dream. Post

around the room. Have students participate in a gallery walk, in which they walk around the room and read each other’s dreams

Materials/NotesPPT presentation Sets of blank timeline events – 1 set/group

Rope/clothespins (for hanging timelines/doves) or tape

Pencils/Pens

QUESTIONS?

Remember:You can check out this presentation and

the corresponding resources on the RELO Andes blog - reloandes.com