ENGAGING HEARTS AND MINDS l Cross curriculum Project Plan
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Physical, political and economic features Trade, jobs Population and produce Similarities and differences – using photopack
I.C.T. l l
Activities as before, with focus on Nelson Mandela from protester, prisoner, peacemaker to President. e-mail
Art and Design Township art – designs used decorate the exteriors of township dwellings. Pastel work in the style of artist Tony Hudson. We used the beautiful work of the late artist to produce landscapes and portrait of the wonderful people and land of South Africa. See ‘Tony Hudson’s Images of Africa’ Dylan Hudson.
I HAVE A DREAM Martin Luther King Jr. Gold Star for: power and persuasion; style and structure; key vocabulary; imagery and metaphor; emotion and effect.
Issues l l
Racial Equality Social injustice
Brief Synopsis This memorable, persuasive speech is, arguably, the most effective ever written. It was delivered in Washington in 1963, with King, the orator, using everything in his emotional and literary power to present a potent, passionate and powerful argument. He was addressing thousands of people, the vast majority of whom were ordinary and poor, so his language and style was designed to be instantly understood and effective for that all- important instant reaction. Initially the language appears difficult, but on closer examination it clearly contains some of the literary devices we encountered in ‘Fair’s Fair’.
Some examples of text analysis l l l l
Key words: e.g. liberty, justice, equality, segregation Repetition: e.g. ‘Now is the time’ ‘Let freedom ring’ ‘I have a dream’ Binary opposites: e.g. ‘beautiful symphony’ and ‘jangling discords’; Reference to familiar things , like the landscape and weather, combined with opposites ,e.g. ‘racism’ is like ‘quicksand’ but ‘justice’ is a ‘solid rock’; ‘the sweltering summer of discontent’ and ‘the invigorating Autumn of freedom and equality’; ‘The whirlwinds of revolt’ and ‘the bright day of justice’.
So, why did it work? Why did it make a difference? Why is this speech so important? It is remembered and quoted today as a symbol of everything the key words stand for – freedom, liberty, justice and equality. It’s all about the WORDS – their unforgettable power and passion. Children wrote their own ‘Dream’ Speeches using some of King’s key features of persuasion and binary opposites to amazing effect. References Egan, K. (1986) Teaching as Story Telling. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Lipman, M. (1988) Philosophy goes to School. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, Matthews, G. (1994) The Philosophy of Childhood. Cambridge Mass: Havard University Press, Jordan, Martin and Tanis. (1994) Ronnie the Red-eyed Tree Frog. Kingfisher Books Ltd, Garfield, L. (1990) ‘Fair’s Fair’ (2008) ‘Gripping Tales’ Series: Wayland, Doherty, B. (1995) Street Child (2009) ‘Essential Modern Classics’: Harper Collins, Naidoo, B. (1985) Journey to Jo’burg (2008) ‘Essential Modern Classics’. London: Harper Collins, Websites www.beverleynaidoo.com, www.berliedoherty.com
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