Unit 27 - Voyager Learning

IntroductionMartin Luther KingStory NotesWe have many heroes—both men and women—who have helped shape our values, our laws,and our way of life. After reading about Harriet Tubman, children will enjoy reading aboutMartin Luther King—a great American who helped make great progress in the struggle forracial equality.Recommended Read AloudFor reading outside of small group instructionMartin’s Big Words by Doreen RappaportNarrative • NonfictionDoreen Rappaport tells the story of Martin Luther King with aclarity and conciseness that is just right for children. The authorhelps trace the early influences in King’s life—his experiencesin the South, the words and lessons of his parents, and theteachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Through words and pictures,Rappaport takes children through the Montgomery busboycott, civil rights marches, and King’s famous “big words.”Read Well ConnectionIn “Let Freedom Ring,” Read Wellstudents also read a biographyof Martin Luther King—learninghow he was not only influencedby his family but also by his earlyability to read and ask questions.Across the chapters in this unit,children will learn about MartinLuther King’s successes and dreams.Note from the authorsHEROESWe hope through reading well, your childrencan learn that our lives are full of heroes. Someof our heroes work through powerful wordsand brave action—like Martin Luther King andHarriet Tubman did. Others are ordinary peoplewho have become heroes because they havemade a positive difference in the lives of thosearound them. We think that people who teachchildren to read well are heroes.1