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30 Activities Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy in the Classroom

martin luther king activities

March 11, 2022 //  by Seda Unlucay

With tremendous courage, dedication and faith, Martin Luther King, Jr. managed to change the world. His tireless civil rights efforts left an indelible legacy of fairness, justice, and empowerment that resonates to this day.

These detailed lesson plans and engaging activities celebrate his tremendous contribution through hands-on learning, internet activities, printable worksheets, and fun crafts targeted at elementary learners.

1. Make a Timeline

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Students can form groups to create a timeline of major moments in Dr. King's life. They can then share them with the class by explaining their reasoning for choosing each event.

Learn more: Education.com

2. Write Your Own 'I Have a Dream' Speech

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After listening to Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech, students are sure to be inspired to write their own. Using a fill-in-the-blanks worksheet, have them express their dreams for the world in a format similar to King's speech.

Learn more: Education World

3. Fact or Opinion?

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As a controversial figure, Dr. King inspired tremendous debate. What better way to teach students the difference between fact and opinion than to review his life and legacy?

Learn more: Education World

4. Create a Map Showing the Important Places in MLK's Journey

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After researching important locations in Dr. King's life, students will create a U.S. map that shows where those places are today.

Learn more: Education World

5. Burst Stereotype Balloons

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Students will write stereotypes on balloons and then debunk them in front of the class. Then, they will "burst" them with a pin.

Learn more: Education World

6. Sing a Song About Dr. King

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Rise Up by Jack Hartmann is a fun, kid-friendly song that celebrates brotherhood, peace, hope, and love. Singing is a powerful way for kids to feel the impassioned spirit and devotion that Dr. King brought to his cause.

Learn more: Songs for Teaching

7. Read 'The Story of Ruby Ridges'

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Ruby Ridges was the first African-American child to desegregate an all-white school. Showing tremendous bravery and strength of character, she is a powerful role model for young learners and an enduring symbol of Dr. King's legacy.

Learn more: Academic English Mastery Program

8. Make a Printable Book 

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Kinesthetic learners are sure to love assembling their own book of major moments in Dr. King's life. There is also a handy quiz on the last page to test students' reading comprehension.

Learn more: Enchanted Learning

9. Study the Nonviolent Resistance Movement

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While Dr. King's name has become synonymous with the non-violent resistance movement, it's important for students to understand that there were other leaders who used the same peaceful method of protest.

Learn more: Twinkl

10. Hands On Egg Activity: We Are the Same on the Inside 

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Students can discuss external differences such as hair and eye color before reflecting on the more important inner qualities that make us the same, such as emotions, hopes, and dreams.

Learn more: Kids Activities

11. Make a Dream Quilt 

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Creating a class quilt of individual squares is the perfect way for students to share their own visions for a kinder and more peaceful world.

Learn more: The Literacy Garden

12. Celebrate the Beauty of Diversity

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In this social-emotional learning activity, students will read a poem about the richness of our differences before writing their own diversity poems.

Learn more: Education

13.  Reflect on Personal Contributions

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After watching an engaging and informative BrainPOP video on Dr. King's contributions, students can reflect on ways that they too contribute to their communities.

Learn more: Brain Pop Educators

14. Make a Handprint Wreath Craft

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15. Discuss the Power of "Big Words"

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After reading Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  engage students in a classroom discussion about the power of "big words" such as peace, love, freedom, and equality.

Learn more: Read, Write, Think

16. Dr. King's Dream Speech Scavenger Hunt

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After reviewing literary terms, rhetorical devices, and figurative language, students will identify as many as they can in Dr. King's famous speech.

Learn more: Flocabulary

17. Why Did MLK Use Direct Action?

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By reading and studying MLK's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' students will come to understand why he felt non-violent direct action and civil disobedience were vital to securing equal rights for all people.

Learn more: EDSITEment

18. Two Truths and One Lie 

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This text-analysis activity develops research and reading skills while teaching students the importance of critical thinking.

Learn more: Education

19. Solve a Crossword Puzzle

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This game-based activity is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Students will have plenty of fun finding the answers for prompts such as quotes, events, and ideals from the American civil rights leader's life.

Learn more: Education

20. Make a Kindness Postcard

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Students will write postcards to others with kind words, inspirational encouragement, and gratitude. Discussing the intrinsic joy of compassion and service is a great extension activity for this craft.

Learn more: Education

21. How did Women Contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?

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Learners will study the contribution of women to the civil rights movement, especially the role of Coretta Scott King as a mother, activist, and wife of Dr. King.

Learn more: Kunhardt Film Foundation

22. Make a Freedom Bell Craft

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Dr. King wanted freedom to ring for all people. By skillfully using a bell analogy, he communicated the reverberating power of justice and equality.

Learn more: Twiggle Magazine

23. Complete a Mini - Unit Activity Packet

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This small-but-mighty packet includes a variety of fun activities including coloring pages, interesting facts, a word scramble, quotes, and puzzles.

Learn more: Real Life at Home

24. Understanding Equality Powerpoint 

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This colorful and comprehensive powerpoint helps children better understand the importance of equality and fairness within their school and the greater community.

Learn more: Twinkl

25. Fair vs. Equal: The Bandaid Activity

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Dr. King stood for fairness and equality. While these concepts are similar, they are not the same. This classic band-aid lesson teaches students the critical difference between these important words.

Learn more: Empowering Education

26. Perform a Reader's Theater Read Aloud

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Most students love drama and this reader's theater script will not disappoint. Give them a chance to express their acting talent with this fun, interactive activity.

Learn more: Education

27. Make a Flip Book

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This hands-on flip book activity contains vocabulary words that you can discuss and comprehension questions to check for understanding.

Learn more: Fun in First

28. Diversity with Playdough

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What better way to talk about diversity than with colorful play dough! This is a great way for students to learn through play.

Learn more: Bon Bon Break

29. Hold a Spelling Bee

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Hold a spelling bee using key words from Dr. King's famous speech. This is an easy way to make spelling relevant and fun and to infuse some healthy competition into the learning process.

Learn more: Vocabulary.com

30. Decorate the Classroom Door

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This creative art lesson will serve as a visible reminder of the importance of fairness, equality, and kindness in the classroom.

Learn more: A Full Classroom

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