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. Don't forget to include additional resources-documents, web sites, or a photo.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

You will find various Web Sites on the top portion of this page.
Further down, you will find Lesson Plans & Activities.
At the bottom of the page, you will find Books that you can order directly from Teacher Created Materials & Amazon.com!

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 Day dates:

January 16, 2012
January 21, 2013
January 20, 2014

Check our January Events Calendar for more important dates

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 word list.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Word Scramble
Create your own or use our word list.

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.

Classes in Conversation

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.

Why We Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Learn the historical perspective of this holiday.

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Lesson Plans & Activities

Annie's "Martin Luther King Jr. Day" Page
A collection of activities, resources, and more.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Day - Mini Unit Grades Intermediate
You will need 4-5 days in order to complete this mini unit.

Coloring Page
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
This timeline activity helps students learn about King's life. It includes a quiz and puzzle.

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 Chant Grades Primary
A fun chant that talks about togetherness and overcoming

Martin Luther King Day Grades Intermediate
This lesson provides you with the needed background information. Students learn about MLK and the idea of discrimination.

Martin Luther King Jr. Grades Intermediate
Students will recognize the chronology of Martin Luther King's life and become familiar with his speech.

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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Books

Teacher Resources

Martin Luther King, Jr. (Instant Internet Activities Folder)
( Paperback - December 2001)

Books for Students & Teachers

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Picture Book Biography)
by David A. Adler

Dear Dr. King : Today's Children Write to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
by Jan Colbert

DK Readers: Free At Last, The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Level 4: Proficient Readers) (Paperback)
by Angela Bull

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr. (Paperback)
by Jean Marzollo

I Have a Dream
by Martin Luther, Jr. King, Coretta Scott King

Let's Get Ready for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Welcome Books: Celebrations)
by Lloyd G. Douglas