At the beginning of the lesson, ask the students what are their favorite sports and games to play. Make a list on the board. Afterward, read a children's book about Jackie Robinson. Explain to students that some people did not want him to play baseball because he was black and how it was wrong to think this way. Cut out a t-shirt shaped piece of paper. Ask students to write "Dodgers" on the back of the shirt and paste a picture of Jackie Robinson to the front.
Talk about Martin Luther King Jr. and his famous "I Have A Dream Speech." Have each student draw a picture that shows what her dream is for the future. Some students might be able to write down a word or two. Once everyone is done, put all of the pictures together on a bulletin board. Write the words "Our Dream Quilt" on the top of the bulletin board.
Cut out life-size pieces of paper for each of your students. Have them paint the cut outs and add details that are personal to them. For example, a student who loves soccer might draw a soccer uniform on her cutout. Once they are finished, glue the hands of the paper dolls together to create a chain. Explain how even though everyone has their own interests, looks and personality, everyone is still connected to one another.
Provide paint in a variety of colors such as peach, brown, black, tan, white and other shades of skin tone. Ask the students to look at their hands and create a shade that matches what they perceive their own skin tone to be. Have each of the students paint a hand of one of her friends on a sheet of paper, and paint a picture of a heart on that piece of paper.