Updated January 2, 2024
The life and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. can be understood and honored even by young children. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught people to solve problems nonviolently. He promoted love and brotherhood.
January Poetry “I Can Read” Notebooks: Here is a poem I wrote in honor of Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King
Let us speak and let us sing
To honor Martin Luther King.
The gentle wisdom
That made him strong,
With acts of peace —
We’ll carry on.
— Nellie Edge
Invite children to recite this poem line-by-line. Once they can recite it together fluently, in unison, children may illustrate the page for their “I Can Read” Poetry Notebook.
Retired kindergarten teacher Joanie Cutler shares books and stories about Martin Luther King, Jr. After much discussion, she encourages her children to apply Dr. King’s teachings by noticing when their kindergarten friends solve problems peacefully and show fairness and kindness at school. These acts are recorded on 1” x 6” strips of paper: red for acts of kindness and white for acts of peace. These are linked into a growing chain that adorns the classroom while honoring the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. A letter including strips of white and red paper chain links was also sent home to parents, asking them to record the acts and reinforce these same traits at home, and the links were sent back to school for the growing chain.
“Parents as Partners” letter, see Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.: Acts of Kindness.
“We hope with your efforts and our own to set these traits as habits that will enrich the life of your child, and through them benefit our society.”
–Joanie Cutler
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