Fourth Graders at Hawkins Path Observe MLK Day Through Their Art
Artwork is worth a thousand words and that was especially true for one fourth-grade class at Hawkins Path Elementary School. The life and legacy of civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, Jr., has impacted not only the lives of those who lived in the 1950s and 1960s but the lives of all future generations. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the students created unique works of art that encompass the lessons Dr. King worked tirelessly to impart to those around him. Kindness, patience, understanding, and acceptance were key parts of the civil rights movement and they are core values that the Middle Country School District works every day to teach its students.
“Teaching about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an important lesson at every age for our students, and the way that information is imparted helps us develop character traits in our students that will help better prepare them for the next steps in their lives,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, superintendent of schools. “Ms. DuBarry’s art lesson was not only a creative outlet for our students but it allowed students to explore themes that were central to the civil rights movement that are still pertinent today.”
While Dr. King’s life ended far too soon, the wisdom and work he did during his lifetime have been far-reaching, long-lasting and history-making. Hawkins Path’s fourth graders were excited to honor the legacy of Dr. King through their one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Ms. DuBarry, art teacher at Hawkins Path Elementary, encouraged students to draw the outline of their hand on a piece of paper and, within that hand, create or place artwork that was representative of peace, kindness, and camaraderie.
Students in Ms. Hawkins’ class that participated in the exercise were able to connect to this important part of our country’s history while also identifying how the lessons and characteristics that made the movement so successful can be applied to their daily lives today. Art, kindness, patience, and tolerance are what help the students of the Middle Country School District stand out. It’s these same concepts that will prepare them for all their future endeavors, both academic and personal.
For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the district’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.
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