Martin’s Big Words
by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Discussion Guide:
Pre-reading:
What is a leader? What does a person do to become a leader? What makes a good leader?
Genre: Biography
We study biography to learn from the lives of others. Why is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. an important person to read about? What can we learn from the way he lived his life? The author, Doreen Rappaport, inserted many of Dr. King’s own words throughout the text. Why do you think this was an important thing to do?
Illustration:
Read the illustrator’s note and study each page before answering the following questions: What does the collage add to the story of Dr. King? Which illustration is your favorite? Why? Why do you think they decided not to put any words on the cover of the book?
What does Bryan Collier mean when he says, “…windows allow you to look past where you are.” Why is that idea important to the Civil Right movement?
Theme: Equality
The Civil Rights Movement worked to create equal opportunities for African-American people. What are some specific examples in education, employment, and public settings that needed to change for equality? Are there still things that need to be changed?
Setting:
What are the major settings in the biography of Dr. King? Which illustrations give you a clue that it is in a different time than today? What part of the country did most of Dr. King’s work focus on? Why?
Across the Curriculum
Language Arts:
Write a biography of another hero or major figure of the Civil Rights Movement. Use a similar style to that of Doreen Rappaport- allowing your subject to speak for herself whenever possible.
Write a letter to Dr. King about what you learned from him.
Vocabulary:
Define the following words and draw a picture that will help you remember what they mean:
hymn, citizen, courage, protest, rights, movement, peace, freedom, and segregation.
Social Studies:
In small groups, research one of the following events or people from the Civil Rights Movement and create a pamphlet about it. Include who was involved, where it took place, why it is important, and what effect it had. Present your findings to the class.
Brown vs. Board of Education
Montgomery Bus Boycott
March on Birmingham, Alabama
March on Washington, D. C.
24th Amendment
Voting Rights Act
Civil Rights Act
Bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham
Ruby Bridges
Rosa Parks
Mathematical/ Logical:
Fill out the diagram on Dr. Martin Luther King or create one of your own about what you learned about his life.
Art:
Explore the technique of collage and depict another scene or person from the Civil Rights Movement.
Science/Health:
Dr. King worked hard to help people earn a living wage, enough money to help their families get out of poverty. Research what effects poverty has on children’s health and education. Make a poster about what you learned.
Music:
Find recordings of these songs that were sung during the Civil Rights Movement. Write a brief journal about why you think they were important.
"Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing,"
We Shall Overcome."
"Oh, Freedom."
"Only a Pawn in Their Game,"
"I'm on My Way."
“How I Got Over."
Careers:
Make a list of all the careers mentions in Martin’s Big Words. Many of these jobs are done in service to other people. Brainstorm all the service jobs that you can in the following industries: food service, medicine, and education.
Martin’s Big Words
by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Discussion Guide:
Pre-reading:
What is a leader? What does a person do to become a leader? What makes a good leader?
Genre: Biography
We study biography to learn from the lives of others. Why is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. an important person to read about? What can we learn from the way he lived his life? The author, Doreen Rappaport, inserted many of Dr. King’s own words throughout the text. Why do you think this was an important thing to do?
Illustration:
Read the illustrator’s note and study each page before answering the following questions: What does the collage add to the story of Dr. King? Which illustration is your favorite? Why? Why do you think they decided not to put any words on the cover of the book?
What does Bryan Collier mean when he says, “…windows allow you to look past where you are.” Why is that idea important to the Civil Right movement?
Theme: Equality
The Civil Rights Movement worked to create equal opportunities for African-American people. What are some specific examples in education, employment, and public settings that needed to change for equality? Are there still things that need to be changed?
Setting:
What are the major settings in the biography of Dr. King? Which illustrations give you a clue that it is in a different time than today? What part of the country did most of Dr. King’s work focus on? Why?
Across the Curriculum
Language Arts:
Write a biography of another hero or major figure of the Civil Rights Movement. Use a similar style to that of Doreen Rappaport- allowing your subject to speak for herself whenever possible.
Write a letter to Dr. King about what you learned from him.
Vocabulary:
Define the following words and draw a picture that will help you remember what they mean:
hymn, citizen, courage, protest, rights, movement, peace, freedom, and segregation.
Social Studies:
In small groups, research one of the following events or people from the Civil Rights Movement and create a pamphlet about it. Include who was involved, where it took place, why it is important, and what effect it had. Present your findings to the class.
Brown vs. Board of Education
Montgomery Bus Boycott
March on Birmingham, Alabama
March on Washington, D. C.
24th Amendment
Voting Rights Act
Civil Rights Act
Bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham
Ruby Bridges
Rosa Parks
Mathematical/ Logical:
Fill out the diagram on Dr. Martin Luther King or create one of your own about what you learned about his life.
Art:
Explore the technique of collage and depict another scene or person from the Civil Rights Movement.
Science/Health:
Dr. King worked hard to help people earn a living wage, enough money to help their families get out of poverty. Research what effects poverty has on children’s health and education. Make a poster about what you learned.
Music:
Find recordings of these songs that were sung during the Civil Rights Movement. Write a brief journal about why you think they were important.
"Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing,"
We Shall Overcome."
"Oh, Freedom."
"Only a Pawn in Their Game,"
"I'm on My Way."
“How I Got Over."
Careers:
Make a list of all the careers mentions in Martin’s Big Words. Many of these jobs are done in service to other people. Brainstorm all the service jobs that you can in the following industries: food service, medicine, and education.
