MLK Birmingham Jail Key

myminifactory

This Birmingham Jail Key replica is designed as a teaching tool for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. The artifact prompts students to reflect on the prolonged struggle and sacrifices made by individuals involved in the Civil Rights Movement. One lesson idea involves using the key as a Mystery Artifact where students take on expert roles, researching and presenting the significance and historical value of the object. They must uncover the connection between the key and Martin Luther King Jr., then delve into the importance of the Letter from Birmingham Jail. Viewers can use Antiques Roadshow, American Pickers, or Pawn Stars as models for their presentations. Further discussion may lead to the topic of nonviolent civil disobedience. Questions such as "What is this object?", "What does it do?", and "What is its historical significance?" encourage students to analyze the artifact. This key serves as an example of artifacts that students might create for Design Challenge - MLK 2017, a project available at designmaketeach.com. See also the MLK March on Washington Button & Lesson Plan for related information. For images or information about the Birmingham Jail Key from 1963 or Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail, visit szmarkman.zenfolio.com/natgeo_aia_exhibit/h3A176F7E#h3a176f7e and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_from_Birmingham_Jail. If you or your students would like to enhance the text description for this piece or provide a more accurate model, please leave a comment or contact me on Twitter @DesignMakeTeach.