MLK Jr. Day Lesson Plan for Class 1/18/2003

3rd - 6th graders

by Lauren Lyerla, CYKF

Define Om, Shanti. Chant "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om" sitting cross legged, use hand claps and knee pats to mark the rhythm. Start at a comfortable speed; go faster, faster, and then s-l-o-o-w-w down. (Musical Musings and Math Medley elements)

"Tomorrow/today is MLK Day. Let's dedicate this yoga class to Dr. King's memory." Peace Breath: Do Shanti, Salaam, Shalom, any other languages you or the kids know. (Laughing Language & Quiet Quests elements)

Hero Pose, Diamond Breath, Bridge of Diamonds. "MLK is one of my all-time heroes. He took big risks to change unfair laws and practices, but always used peaceful methods. He had a dream that all people could live together in peace." "Let's link hands, and imagine holding hands with boys and girls around the world in a gesture of peace and goodwill." (Bridge of Diamonds element)
Mouse pose. (Quiet Quests element) "Come back to this resting pose if you need a break at any point in the class."

"Let's get up and move - In remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King lets make the letters M, L, and K with our bodies. Make up an alliteration with each letter, if you and the children are so moved.
Here are my examples:
M - repeat M alliteration "Magic mice mix marvelous music." "Mr. Martin's magic moves mountains."
L - repeat L alliteration "Lady lizards love laughing loudly." "Luther's love lifts, lilts and laughs loudly"
K - repeat K alliteration "Kind kitten kisses klutzy kangaroo's knees." "King's kindness kisses kangaroos, kites and kittens.' (Laughing Language element)

Sun salutation: 1st time through, do it traditional way. Start in mountain pose (solid in our convictions), then reach up (reaching for our dreams), lunge, plank (strong), snake (open heart in love), etc. 2nd time through, incorporate Warrior I and Warrior II poses after each lunge. "Let's explore those Warrior poses a little more, since Martin Luther King was a peaceful warrior, using nonviolent methods to fight injustice." Warrior II, Warrior I, Warrior III flow, with affirmations "I am brave, I am strong, I love peace." (YogaKids Affirmations element)

"It's great to love peace, but how do we get peace? How do we MAKE peace? Here's one way - don't let anger get control of you. If you feel anger, you need a nonviolent way to express it. In yoga, there's a principle called ahimsa, or non-harming. Ahimsa says we try not to have harmful thoughts, words, or actions. It's OK to feel angry, but strive not to let it hurt anyone else, or yourself. Let's do Volcano pose and release any steam or anger inside of us." Volcano pose

"Another way to encourage peaceful thoughts is to find balance. Practice tree pose and learn to find a balance between our needs and wants and the needs and wants of others." Tree pose

"Let's also do a twisting pose - to remind us to always try to look at both sides of an argument. If we can see our opponent's point of view, we will be better able to find a solution that works for everyone." Wind chimes pose (Brain Balance element)

Now let's play a game called Pass the Hoop - this game reminds us that we are all connected, and that things flow more smoothly when neighbors help each other. Pass the Hoop - play James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light" about MLK & his dream (approx 4 minutes). (We All Win, Bridge of Diamonds, and Musical Musings elements)

"Let's try another game that emphasizes our connections with each other." Electric circle (Bridge of Diamonds element)

"We celebrate MLK Day in January because it's close to his birthday. Let's be Happy Birthday Candles. Rock & Roll, roll to Plow, and then lift up to Candle. Sing Happy Birthday Dr. King, and then come down carefully. (Musical Musings element)

Relaxation - Tense and release starting with your toes, then focus on breathing into the heart space, let the light of love shine forth. Read a Chinese proverb to the kids: "If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world." "Now take this time to relax and let your light shine. If you find your mind starting to wander, just bring your attention back to your breathing. The next time you hear my voice it will be time to start opening your eyes and wiggling your fingers and toes. But until then, try to just be still and breathe. (Pause) "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." "Slowly come up to sitting." (Quiet Quests and Bridge of Diamonds elements)

Namaste: Sing the Namaste song and dance from YogaKids CD. (Bridge of Diamonds element, Musical Musings element)

Materials: Hula hoops, James Taylor CD, YogaKids CD