Observing MLK Day

Ahead of the upcoming holiday, Bill McAuliffe and Melanie Nunes’ class at Cottage Lane Elementary School this week took part in activities centered on and inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. To start the lesson, fifth graders reviewed their prior (and extensive) knowledge of Dr. King — from his college days at just 15 years old to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Next, students listened to the U2 song "Pride (In the Name of Love)" — paying particular attention to the last stanza and understanding that history is not just found in books, but in music and other mediums as well. Lastly, learners engaged in independent readings of brief, biographical texts about MLK before breaking off into small groups to reflect on some of their own personal challenges — whether it be a particular subject in school or an outside struggle in their lives. The goal? To see that there is more that we share in common and connects us to each other than what divides us.