Embedded Files
Children's Literature
Children's Literature
Extensions to Memphis, Martin and the Mountaintop
Extensions to Memphis, Martin and the Mountaintop
Author Alice Faye Duncan provides a number of free resources to be used alongside each of her books. The following resources for Memphis, Martin, and the Mountain Top are avalable for free:
See more of Alice Faye Duncan's work on her website, AliceFayeDuncan.com
Critical Literacy
Critical Literacy
Most children's books about Martin Luther King Jr. center him as a heroic individual who gave a speech and led a march to end segregation. After engaging in this inquiry into the Memphis Sanitation Strike, students can recognize that the narratives put forth by many of these picture books may not give a full or accurate picture of Dr. King and his activism.
Consider reading any of the following books on Martin Luther King Jr. through a lens of critical literacy.
Excerpt from the children's book Martin Luther King, Jr., by Mary Nhin, recommended to be read through a lens of critical literacy.
Questions for Critical Literacy:
How is Dr. King portrayed in this text?
What is Dr. King arguing for in this book? What is he arguing against?
Which parts of Dr. King's story are being left out? Why do you think that choice was made?
How accurate is this representation of Dr. King? Explain.
Who else is included in this text? What role do ordinary people play?
What message does this book tell us about how change is made?
Whose voices are missing from this story?
Who is the author of this book? How might their identity and perspectives influence the writing of the book?
Non-Fiction Reading
Non-Fiction Reading
Newsela
Newsela
Newsela.com provides an expansive library of non-fiction articles written at 5 different reading levels each. Through a subscription with Newsela, you can access this article, "Martin Luther King Jr.'s Last March: The Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike" at five different reading levels.
The original article is accessible for free through the National Archives.
Consider having students complete this graphic organizer as they read.
Marching to the Mountaintop: How Poverty, Labor Rights, and Civil Rights Set the Stage for Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Hours, by Ann Bausum
Marching to the Mountaintop: How Poverty, Labor Rights, and Civil Rights Set the Stage for Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Hours, by Ann Bausum
Author Ann Bausum includes a free teaching guide to be used alongside her non-fiction book published with National Geographic, Marching to the Mountaintop: How Poverty, Labor Fights, and Civil Rights set the Stage for Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Hours.
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