| Topics/Link |
Resources and Ideas |
| "I Have a Dream" Mobiles Activity |
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech by creating and decorating this mobile that inspires you to think about your own dreams--for your community, your country, and the world. |
| "Walk to Freedom" - Detroit 1963 |
Though the "Walk to Freedom" drew over 125,000 people from both the Labor and Civil Rights movement, it did not convert to changing discriminatory practices. |
| Beloved Community Teach-In from the King Center (All grades) |
In this lesson, the Beloved Community Teach-In educates people of all ages about Dr. and Mrs. King’s legacy and how to champion completion of their unfinished work. |
| Black History Month NonFiction Text |
February is Black History Month. Here are a few helpful non-fiction passages and research-based question sets about a variety of topics and historical figures related to its observance. You may need to set up a FREE account. |
| Breaking Barriers Lesson Plan |
Provides students with first-hand experience about how African-American individuals have broken barriers to racial integration in the United States, achieving equal rights and making lasting contributions to the country’s political, social and cultural development. |
| Changemakers of the Civil Rights Era (Grades 6-8) |
An iCivics series of short, animated videos that examine the actions and accomplishments of civil rights activists of the 1950’s and 60’s. |
| Civil Rights |
Civil Rights Movement activist and political leader Andrew Young recounts Dr. King's release from Birmingham jail and the Selma March. |
| Classroom Resources for Martin Luther King Jr. Day ( NEA) |
Lesson plans, activity ideas, and other resources for teaching MLK Day |
| Do's and Don'ts of Celebrating MLK Day |
Reflect on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and keep the conversation going beyond the national holiday |
| Dr. King's Dream: Lesson Plan |
In this lesson, students will learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Includes primary sources. From the National Endowment for the Humanities. |
| EconEdLink Grades 6-12 Lesson Plan |
A lesson plan from EconEdLink that provides context and resources to aid students in understanding how the Civil Rights Movement Developed. |
| From Bill to Law - How MLK Day became a federal holiday |
This iCivics WebQuest, Legislating for Holiday, not only provides students with an opportunity to explore King's many contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, but will also help them learn how a bill becomes a law. Students can embark on the WebQuest on their own or you can use the resources and prompts to guide whole-class discussions. |
| How Big Are Martin's Big Words? Thinking Big about the Future (Grades 3-5) |
This mini-lesson tells of Dr. King's childhood determination to use "big words" through biographical information and quotations. |
| How to explain Martin Luther King Day to kids |
Everything you need to learn and teach about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Identifying with a Hero (Grades K-2) |
This lesson explores ways to help students identify with Dr. King through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities that provide a glimpse into Dr. King's life. |
| Key Events of the Civil Rights Movement |
In this lesson, journalist Callie Crossly asks experts about the origins of the civil rights movement and its early beginnings after the second World War. |
| Last Days of Martin Luther King, Jr. |
In this lesson, Ryan Jones, Historian at the National Civil Rights Museum, talks about the circumstances leading to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s visit in Memphis before he was assassinated. |
| Let Freedom Ring: The Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Grades 3-5) |
In this lesson, students will learn about the life and work of Dr. King and will listen to a brief biography, view photographs of the March on Washington, and read a portion of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. |
| Letter from Birmingham Jail |
In this lesson, Ahmad Ward from the Birmingham Civil RIghts Institute gives a brief explanation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. (Discovery Education) |
Access this by logging in through Clever. Lessons, short and full videos, and images of Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. (National Archives) |
Educational activities and resources surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Leader |
In this lesson, students will watch a video about Dr. King that emphasizes his commitment to nonviolence. |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Crossword |
Challenge your Martin Luther King, Jr. knowledge with this printable crossword puzzle. |
| MLK Activities |
Websites and printables about MLK Jr. Day and other famous people. Great for primary grades. |
| MLK Day: Five Education World Resources |
Education World has gathered five lesson plans, resources and activities for teachers to use to teach about Martin Luther King, Jr. |
| MLK Jr. Day/Black History Month (NCSS) |
Lessons and activities for elementary, middle, and high school |
| MLK Resource Links |
Includes information on other famous African Americans. |
| National Civil Rights Museum |
Resources and materials for teaching the struggle for freedom and justice to students. |
| Riots - Washington, DC 1968 |
Author and Historian Samuel Walker discussed the damage done during the Washington, DC Riots of 1968, as well as the cause of the unrest. |
| Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King |
Felicia Bell and Rickey Brown of the Rosa Parks Museum talk about Rosa Parks and her impact on the Civil Rights Movement. |
| Sanitation Strike - Memphis 1968 |
Historian Ryan Jones explained the events leading up to the strike and the role it played in bringing Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis for the final time. |
| Science Experiment |
A science experiment that teaches about diversity. Good for all ages. |
| Sit-Ins during the Civil Rights Movement |
In this lesson, author Christopher Schmidt talks about the Greensboro, NC sit-in and how it inspired future demonstrations. |
| Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing - 1963 |
The Reverend Arthur Price talked about the history of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and the bombing of the church that occurred in 1963. |
| Teaching Tolerance (Grades K-6) |
Lots of lesson ideas for K-6 |
| The Fight for Civil Rights (Grades 3-5) |
In this lesson, students will discover that Martin Luther King, Jr. and other activists fought for civil rights by exercising their First Amendment rights. |
| The King Center |
A digital archive about the life of Dr. King Jr. |
| Timeline Activity |
Great idea for reading a book about MLK Jr. and then have each student create a picture to go along with a fact. Student samples are shown. Adaptable for lower and upper elementary students. |
| Virtual Field Trip of Washington, D.C. |
In this lesson, students provide an introduction to our nation's capital by highlighting some of the significant areas in the city. |
| What is Diversity? (download) |
Teaching Diversity to Primary Students |