Major Theme:

Everyone remembers where they were when they hear a tragedy.  This story recounts the memories of a third grade child who remembers the day.

Summary:

Author, Veronica Enix, relives the day in April, 1968, when Dr.  Martin Luther King, Jr.  was shot.  This was a typical Thursday in the after school study program.  Mrs.  Ray, the teacher from next door, burst into the room with news that King was shot.  The look of fear and shock, the tears are vividly remembered as the children watch in bewilderment as the see adults trying to cope with the tragic news.  Shock is replaced by sadness and anger as Mother tries to tell the children the significance of Dr.  King and why adults are so hurt and upset.  Veronica recalls the public reaction to the tragedy in Chicago.  There were riots, school closings and the t.v. coverage highlighting the accomplishments of Dr.  King played on for days

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

When Mrs.  Lewis heard the news that Dr.  King had been shot she covered her face with her hands.  What is she feeling?

What did Veronica's classmates know about Dr.  King?

What does Veronica remember about Mrs.  Lewis' reaction to the news of Dr.  King?

Question #4

What was the reaction of the adults in Veronica's building?

Question #5

What was Veronica's mother's reaction?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

What did you learn about Dr.  King from this story?
 

How did the author show people deeply upset by Dr.  King's death?

What about mother's reaction caused the children to be afraid?

Why did Dr.  King turn to nonviolence to change prejudice in America?

Question #10

Where did Dr.  King get ideas about peaceful demonstrations?

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Why was Dr.  King's death a loss for all America?

What piece of advice did Mama and Dr.  King both give?

 Explain this saying, "Be the best you can be!"

Question #14

Why did Mama say the riots were happening?

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Dr.  King believed freedom would come to all of us if we joined hands together.  What do you think this means?

 Research the Nobel Peace Prize.
 

Research nonviolence and Mahatma Gandhi of India

Dr.  King felt that for real change to occur people's hearts had to change.  Write a paragraph to explain how you would change people's hearts to welcome all races

Extension #4

The author, Veronica Enix, writes a story from personal experience from her childhood.  Write a story about a memory you have from your earlier years

Extension #5

Frequently authors use the actions of characters to describe an emotion.  Collect examples in this story where characters showed sadness.