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Martin Luther King Jr. Lesson Ideas

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Looking for some Martin Luther King Jr Activities for kids?

With Martin Luther King Day coming next month, I thought it would be fitting to work on a post full of resources for teaching about him. His birthday is in January, which is why we honor him during that month. It is a great topic to study for history during the month of January. And, black history month is in February, which is another great time to learn about him!

Martin Luther King Jr day (shortened to MLK Day) is a federal holiday in the United States. It is observed on the third Monday of January every year. His actual birthday was January 15, 1929.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader known for nonviolent activism protesting racial discrimination. He led the civil rights movement from the 1950’s until his death. He was assassinated in 1968. His movement led to the end of segregation of blacks in the Southern United States. MLK Day became an official federal holiday in 1983. He was a great man who left quite a legacy for this country.

I created a printable set of lessons with teaching ideas for this day. These can be used for all grades in a homeschool, a classroom or wherever you are teaching about this holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr Activities and Lessons for Kids

  • The text of the “I Have a Dream” speech
  • A timeline of his life for kids to fill in
  • Printable memorization cards for different parts of the speech
  • A writing prompt for kids to write their own dreams

Watch his famous I Have A Dream Speech here:

Interested in Downloading This Martin Luther King Jr. Teaching Unit?

More Martin Luther King Activities for Kids:

There are so many meaningful ways to study and learn about his life!

Take virtual tour of his house. You can visit it in person in Atlanta, Georgia.

Learn about and listen to some pop songs that were written in honor of MLK.

Join in the National Day of Service on this federal holiday. See ways to serve with kids here. 

Discuss their dreams for the future of this country or the world!  There is a writing prompt for this in the printable pack.

Discuss diversity and the importance of treating all people with love and respect no matter how they look, what their skin color,  or where they are from.

Watch a movie about MLK:

Our Friend Martin is a kid-friendly cartoon that you can find on YouTube.

 

Picture Books on Martin Luther King, Jr.

Use children’s books to teach kids about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Picture books are a great way to reach young children and help them understand more about this life of this great man.

Kids Books on Martin Luther King, Jr.

National Geographic Readers: Martin Luther King, Jr. (ages 5-8)

Who Was Martin Luther King Jr.? (chapter book ages 8-12)

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David Adler (ages 6-9)

My First Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr. By Marion Dane Bauer (ages 4-8)

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport (audio file)

Martin Luther King, Jr. (Time for Kids) (ages 5-10)

Free at Last: The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. (DK Readers) (ages 8-12)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (ages 4-6)

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Rae More (ages 2-4)

Martin’s Dream by Jane Kurtz (ages 4-6)

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson (ages 5-8)

We March by Shane Evans (ages 4-8)

March by John Lewis (12+)

Belle, The Last Mule at Gee’s Band by Calvin Alexander Ramsey (ages 5-8)

 

This is part of the iHomeschool Network’s Famous Birthdays Series. See more Famous January Birthdays!

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