Case Study - Peggy Dunn

One of the questions asked of me pertained to the children's learning and how I would know what they learned. Here are two pieces of evidence that at least some of the children gained by taking part in the unit:

The children responded to the following prompt in their Journals: "Martin Luther King fought for equality and justice. What have you learned those words mean? Do you think they are important to have? Do you think you have equality and justice in your life? Explain your answer."

--Equality is same. Justice is fair. I have justice because my class is treated fairly. Justice is important. Justice is good because our school is treated good. Equality is good too.

--Yes, I do think I have justice and equality in my life because I am kind. I think equality means that you get treated the same way others are. I don't think I'm treated fairly because I'm black.

--I learned that equality meant everybody had to have the equal amount of things. I think we should have the words forever because they are good words. I think they are in my life because I do not think it is fair for the black people to sit in the back of the bus. When Martin was alive he wanted justice and equality. I like Martin because (he was) very, very good and forgiving.

--Yes, I think it is important to have equality and justice. Equality is the same. Justice is fair. Everybody should be treated the same.

--It is not fair when blond hair people that they don't get to do their work. I want everyone to (do) their work. I do not want to do what we did. That was dumb what we did. The thing was not nice. (referring to the "new" rule that only curly-haired and brown-eyed kids were going to get to do their centers this week. I reminded him that we didn't end up using the new rule.)

--I think that life is fair. It wasn't a long time ago but it is now. Sometimes I don't like things that happen but I know that it is fair. I think that I have justice. I think that I (have) equality. I am treated fairly. Sometimes things aren't fair but often they are.

--Equality (is) same and justice (is) fair. I have justice because my class is treated fairly. We all get the same amount. Equality is good too. I think everybody has justice.

--Equality means equal. Justice means fairness. I think they are important . I think I have equality and justice in my life because I have not been treated unfair.

--I learned that equality means everyone treated the same. I learned that justice means everyone is treated fairly. I think I don't have equality. But I think I do have justice. It just seems like I don't have equality because my brother, E--- gets to help my dad teach my little sister, K--- gymnastics.

A few days later the children were given this prompt:

Write a "5W" Poem for Dr. Martin Luther King, JR. They have written 5W poems before and know that they write one following this form:

Who?

Did What?

Where?

When?

Why?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Gave his I Have a Dream speech
In a really big church
In 1963
To change the law unfair to Blacks

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Talked about peace and joy
In Washington D.C.
In 1963
To tell people the color of your skin doesn't matter

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Changed the laws In Alabama
A long time ago
Because the blacks were being treated badly

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Helped other people
In the U.S.
Until 1968
For Black people's rights

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Did speeches In Washington, D.C.
In 1963
So the people can be fair

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Made a speech In America
In 1964
Because he wanted peace

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Talked about peace
In Washington, D.C.
In 1963
Because he wanted peace for the blacks

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Gave a famous speech
In Washington, D.C.
In 1963
For freedom