Lesson Plan for 2017 Heritage Calendar
Instructional
Designer
Honoree
Subject Area
Grade Level
CCSS or NCES
Goals & Objectives
Cross-Curricular
Connections
Literacy Connection
Time Allotment
Lesson Focus
Resources &
Materials
Instructional
Activities
Heather Blackwell
Millie Dunn Veasey
ELA
6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information
presented in diverse media and formats
1. Students will read and analyze Martin Luther King’s
“I Have a Dream Speech.”
2. Students will identify figurative language found
within the speech.
3. Students will watch a video clip of the speech as a
primary source document.
4. Students will make a personal connection with Ms.
Veasey based on her attendance at the event.
6.H.1.3 Use primary and secondary sources to interpret
various historical perspectives.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.4 Determine figurative,
connotative, and technical meanings.
Two 45-minute sessions
On August 28, 1963, Millie Dunn Veasey attended the
March on Washington where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave
the historic “I Have a Dream Speech.” In a 2013 interview,
Veasey said, “I had a privileged seat because I was with the
ministers and was right there with Dr. King.” This lesson
will examine the famous speech.
1. Computer, LCD projector
2. Video Clip to provide background knowledge of The
March on Washington
3. Hard copies of “I Have a Dream Speech” or laptops
or tablets for online access
4. Figurative language chart (see below).
Additional biographical information about this honoree is
also available at NC Heritage Calendar Honorees and in the
2017 Heritage Calendar.
1. Begin class by asking the students if they have ever
heard of marches or protests. Do they know
examples of these?
2. Show the video clip of The March on Washington.
3. Distribute copies of the speech.
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4. As a class, read and discuss the speech.
5. Use the figurative language chart to analyze the
speech.
6. Discuss the following:
● What do you think the atmosphere was like in the
crowd?
● How do you think Ms. Veasey felt as she attended
the event and watched Dr. King give the speech?
● Looking back, how do you think Ms. Veasey feels
about the speech now?
● How has our country changed since this speech was
given in 1963?
● What are your dreams for our country?
7. To conclude the lesson, have the students choose a
song with lyrics or a melody that reminds them of
the mood of the speech. Have them share the song
with the class.
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Figurative Language Examples
in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech
Figurative Language
Example(s) from the speech
Literal Meaning
Simile - A figure of speech that
makes a direct comparison
between two unlike
subjects using either “like” or “as”
Hyperbole - An
exaggeration used for emphasis
or dramatic effect.
Repetition - A word or phrase
that is repeated throughout the
text
Imagery - the use of particular
words that create visual
representation of ideas in our
minds
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