Respect for all: Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech

This activity was used with pupils in key stage 3, year 8.

Context

In this inner-city school, which has been nominated for a British Diversity Award, approximately 40 per cent of the pupils are from minority ethnic groups, and 23 per cent speak English as an additional language.

Aims

• To explore familiar themes in different cultural contexts so that stereotypical views can be challenged and differences appreciated positively.
• To challenge the racially intolerant attitudes prevalent in the area.

Activity objectives

• To look in some detail at persuasive writing (text structure, word choice, etc).
• To investigate what makes a good speech.

The relevant English Framework objectives are:

• analyse the overall structure of a text to identify how key ideas are developed (year 8, text-reading 10), for example though the organisation of the content and the patterns of language used;
• present a case persuasively, making selective use of evidence, using appropriate rhetorical devices and anticipating responses and objections (year 8, text-writing 13);
• recognise the range of ways in which messages are conveyed (year 8, speaking and listening), for example tone, emphasis, status of speaker.

Activity description

The teacher asked the pupils to write persuasive speeches about an issue related to race.

In the first lesson they discussed, as a class, what makes a good speech. For example:

• emotive or strong words;
• repetition so that key words and phrases 'get into your head';
• questions 'that make you think';
• a strong opening and a good ending;
• clear links;
• knowing your subject;
• giving evidence.

In the next lesson they read and analysed Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech as a class and in groups. In an initial starter activity, the pupils matched words with their opposites (the words were taken from Martin Luther King's speech). For example:

• freedom/oppression;
• justice/injustice;
• symphony/discord.

This was followed by a class discussion on the meaning of the key words.

The pupils then undertook a variety of activities that helped them focus on the language, structure and content of the speech (for example, identifying repeated words and phrases or key and related concepts, such as 'free/freedom' and 'faith/religion').

Tasks were differentiated so that those who needed support received it (eg prompt sheets for pupils at relatively early stages of learning English) and the most able pupils were challenged.

Next, the pupils were asked to jot down anything that had particularly struck them about the speech after the initial class reading. They offered observations such as:

'It was like a letter.'
'It was like speaking to friends.'
'It had lots of repetition.'
'It was autobiographical.'

Before seeing a video of the speech, they were asked to predict the ending, which had been withheld.

Following this set of activities, the pupils redrafted their own speeches for homework. They then performed their speeches in class.

Commentary

When each of the pupils read their speeches, some of them were noticeably restless at hearing phrases such as 'skin colour' and 'vicious racists'. However, by the end of the lesson, all the pupils were contributing eagerly to the discussion.

The unit produced a range of good-quality work, as well as some positive outcomes. Pupils read speeches that they had written in favour of and against immigration. The pupils analysed what made a good argument (for example, convincing evidence). Another positive outcome was that a boy, of dual heritage, showed improved confidence and achievement.

Points to note

The teacher liaised with religious education and pastoral staff in the school to ensure a consistency of approach, in line with the school's clearly articulated equal opportunities policy.

Resources

Luther King Jr, Martin, 'I have a dream' (political speech made at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on 28 August 1963, after a protest march). Text of speech available from MLK Online: www.mlkonline.com/dream.html

The online national curriculum can be found at www.nc.uk.net

English introduction

All subjects and activities

Respect for all introduction