Martin Luther King, Jr. Lesson Plans and Activities

The Martin Luther King, Jr. seasonal pages will provide you with great lessons and resources to commemorate this important man. Ideas within the MLK, Jr. pages include a complete thematic unit with a collection of lesson, activities and online resources.

Your creativity can help other teachers. Submit your Martin Luther King, Jr. activity today. Don't forget to include additional resources-documents, web sites, or a photo.

You will also find cross-over resources on our Black History Month page.

Visit our January Monthly Unit, Lesson Plans & Activities page for more resources.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday in January, around the time of King's birthday, January 15.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968) was a Baptist minister who became a civil rights activist. He led the 'March on Washington' in 1963 where he gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. In 1964 he was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial discrimination and segregation. Prior to his death in 1968, King refocused his attention to opposing the Vietnam War and ending poverty. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Visit our January Bulletin Board page to find displays that will make great lessons.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Crossword Puzzle
  Create your own Crossword or use our premade word/clue list.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Journal & Coloring Pages
  Printable Martin Luther King, Jr. Day journal and coloring pages that you can print (PDF Format)
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Word Search
  Create your own or use our Martin Luther King, Jr. Day word list.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Word Scramble
  Create your own or use our MLK, Jr. word list.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Literature (Amazon.com)
  A collection of books about this great man.
• MLK "I Have a Dream" Speech Video:
  

Web Sites

About Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Seattle Times has put together a great collection of information.

Happy Birthday MLK! Grades Various
Education World has activities across the grades for learning about the life of the famous civil rights leader.

The King Center
Established in 1968 by Coretta Scott King, The King Center is the official, living memorial dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of America's greatest nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and African American History
Scholastic Research Tools.

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Lesson Plans & Activities

MLK: What They Won't Teach In School Grades Intermediate, Secondary
A well put together interesting and entertaining podcast that goes beyond the 'I Have a Dream' speech, diving more into his 'Poor People's Campaign' of MLK and how this is likely what got him killed.

Coloring Pages and Lined Journal Pages
Let your students use their imaginations to customize this coloring page of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King's Dream Grades K-2
In this lesson, students will learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Students will listen to a brief biography, view photographs of the March on Washington, hear a portion of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and discuss what King's words mean to them. Finally, they will create picture books about their own dreams of freedom for Americans today.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. WebQuest Grades Elementary
Learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr. answering a variety of questions.

Evaluating Web Sites for Bias Grades 6-12
Students use a checklist to evaluate Web content about Martin Luther King Jr. for bias.

Mapping Martin Luther King Jr. Grades 3-8
Students explore places that were important in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.: A Clothesline Timeline Grades K-12
Students create a clothesline timeline depicting events in the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.: A Fact or Opinion Activity Grades 3-8
A brief biography of Martin Luther King Jr. reinforces students' understanding of the difference between fact and opinion.

Martin Luther King, Jr. And the Power of Nonviolence Grades 6-8
This lesson introduces students to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolence and the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi that influenced King's views. After considering the political impact of this philosophy, students explore its relevance to personal life.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Identifying with a Hero Grades K-2
Martin Luther King, Jr. is an American hero, a man who dared to dream. How do we help young children connect their own life experiences to those of Dr. King? This lesson explores ways to help students make connections to Dr. King through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities that not only provide a glimpse into Dr. King's life, but empower students to help bring Dr. King's dream into reality. Most important, it encourages them to dream their own dreams.

Thematic Unit Grades Various
Here you will find ideas, links to activities, worksheets and lots more.

Unity Handprint Wreath Grades Various
This wreath symbolizes cultural unity.  You can adjust the handprint colors for different occasions (for example, you may wish to use handprints in different shades of brown for Black History Month)

Write Your Own "I Have a Dream Speech" Grades K-12
Students use a fill-in-the-blanks work sheet to write speeches that imitate the form and content of Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

EMAIL us your favorite Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activity!

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