Washington Students Study Six Principles of Non-Violence

The Washington Primary School community recently celebrated the life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a series of lessons and activities. The initiative was timed to coincide with the national holiday recognizing the civil rights giant’s birthday.

“At Washington, we ensure our Washington Winners are aware of the impact of Dr. King through his Six Principles of Non-Violence,” Principal Dr. Michelle Richards said. “We strive to have a learning community with citizens that are respectful and responsible.”

Third-grade students in librarian Rebecca Kraus’ class dedicated the month of January to exploring the inspiring life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Through engaging lessons, students learned about Dr. King’s significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, particularly his use of peaceful protest and nonviolent principles to advocate for fairness and equality,” Ms. Kraus said. “They also discovered how his leadership, along with the courageous efforts of many others, lead to the end of segregation in the United States.”

To deepen their understanding, students participated in “buddy reading,” selecting books about Dr. King and other influential figures like Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. “This collaborative activity encouraged teamwork, self-guided discovery, and meaningful connections as they explored the impact of these historical figures on society,” Ms. Kraus.

Dr. King was fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968 at 6:01 p.m. He was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. He was just 39 years old.