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
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
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?
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
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
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
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'
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
15. Discuss the Power of "Big Words"
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
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?
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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