Wonder Days

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr had a dream which inspired the world! His eloquent words offered encouragement that people of all colors, races, cultures, and religions could live together in peace. The holiday that commemorates his legacy is celebrated each January and one of the best ways for children to learn and share in the celebration is through making crafts. Here are some fun crafts and educational activities to help you get the most out of this special holiday.
"I Have A Dream" Mobile

Since Dr. King had a dream, so can you. Encourage kids to create a colorful craft that symbolizes what they think is needed to make the world a better place. Once done, have them create a mobile that displays their ideas.
For this craft, all you will need are markers, pens, crayons, string/yarn, glue/glue sticks, cardstock/construction paper, and sticks or a hanger. For the center of your mobile, create a cloud using the cardstock or construction paper. From that same paper, create smaller clouds. On the smaller clouds, have your child or students write out their ideas for making the world better. Attach the smaller clouds to the larger cloud. Hang their clouds from a hanger or crossed sticks. Use glue, pens and markers to decorate the clouds in whatever way they want. Adding rainbows or even glitter to their clouds will add to the beauty of their creative mobiles.
Peace Medal

In lessons about Dr. King, children learn that he won the Nobel Peace Prize at age 35. Have your students or children make their own Peace medals that look similar to the one awarded to Dr. King. There are several ways a Peace Medal can be made. For very small children, stick with ribbons and paper. For more mature children, you can use clay and ribbons. For small kids, you simply have them cut a circle and write in the word peace. Once the circle is decorated, attach the ribbon and your young ones can wear their Peace Medals. For your older children, have them mold their fast drying or oven bake clay into various shapes. Once made, dry the medallion centers. After the clay has dried, have your students or children decorate their medals. Add the ribbon and have your students show off their wonderful work.
Cut-Out Crafts

http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/mmlk.html

Dr. King's legacy can be taught in many ways. Students can use templates and drawings to create even more memorable crafts. Students can find pictures of Dr. King on the web or through books. Artsy students can even draw pictures. With these pictures, you can decorate posters or paper plates with Dr. King's image.
Other crafts can include unity wreaths, coloring pages, and birthday hats with Dr. King's image on them. Most of these activities do not require expensive supplies and can be made with things around the home or classroom.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life is worthy of celebration. As a Man of Peace, he stood as an example that change does not require guns or violence. As an American, he wanted all Americans to live in harmony. The federal holiday celebrating his birthday is a time for people to reminder that all men, women and children are created equal. Live the dream.
For more ideas for Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday crafts, check out the following websites:
http://educational-kids-crafts .suite101.com/article.cfm/cele brate_martin_luther_king_day
http://familycrafts.about.com/ gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=ht tp://www.dltk%2Dkids.com/craft s/mmlk.html
http://home.howstuffworks.com/ martin-luther-king-jr-day-craf ts.htm
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