Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK Jr.) Powerpoint and Art Activity
Created by Meghan Montgomery, 3L Place, January 2019
Applies to: Creative Expression, Understanding and Participating in Community, Critical Thinking
Purpose: To reflect on the meaningful life of MLK Jr. and practice diversity via the arts.
Objectives: To read a social story on the impact of MLK Jr.’s life followed by working creatively on a diversity-based art activity.
Materials Needed:
- Computer and PowerPoint software
- MLK PowerPoint (see attached)
- Interactive whiteboard (optional)
- 20x24 pieces of white/off-white paper
- Various colors of paint
- Brushes, gloves, fingers
- Tape
- Stiff construction paper (or cardstock) of a variety of colors
- Pencils
- Glue
- Pipe cleaners
- Scissors
- Plastic shower curtain
Activity Steps:
- Cover the table with a plastic shower curtain/liner.
- Tape down the 20x24 pieces of paper.
- Have members choose 3-4 colors and squirt a tablespoon or two on the paper of each.
- If members are willing, spread the paint with your fingers for extra sensory exploration.
- Leave the pages to dry a bit for a few minutes.
- Watch the PowerPoint on the impact of MLK Jr.’s life as a group/class (while the paint is drying for a bit).
- Head back to the art space and begin to trace 3 hands - one can be your own, two have to be from 2 other people.
- Cut out all hands.
- Glue hands on the painted 20x24 paper in any arrangement that suits the member/artist.
- Take a few pipe cleaners and make a large circle, followed by taking more to form a peace sign/symbol within the circle.
- Attach your peace sign/symbol anywhere on your colorful image.
- Let each piece of art sit where it is. Walk around the table in a circle to observe others work.
- Gesture or say one word about what you took away from this and/or how this experience was for you.
- Decide as a group whether members want to put their images together to make a paper diversity quilt and/or if members choose to keep their images as stand alone.