Martin Luther King Jr.
Presentation
Grade 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
General
Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by watching videos and engage students with various interactive activities including building a timeline, word games and more.
Common core standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.4; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.10; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.1c; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.9; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.10; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.1CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.1CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.3; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.7; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.1CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.3; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.7
Learning Objective
Students will be able to describe the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and analyze his significance and impact on the civil rights movement.
Introduction
The lesson begins with a table of contents that links to different activities. The Videos page links to 4 different videos: "Mini Bio," "A picture book of Marting Luther King Jr.," "MLK by Kid President," and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech. Each video is accompanied by a series of relevant and engaging discussion questions. Students then read about the life of Martin Luther King Jr., including his early life and his non-violent manner of fighting for equality. They will learn about his accomplishments, like his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize as well as historic moments like the 1963 March on Washington.
Instruction
Students will complete a timeline and fill out a "Was...Had...Wanted" and "Character Traits" graphic organizer. The lesson also includes a series of quotes by Martin Luther King Jr. Students choose a quote they feel strongly about and make a connection. Following this, students will think about what can make the world a better place and write about their own dreams. Finally, students will discuss the importance of having good character and making good choices by reading through a series of scenarios.
Closing
Students will complete word search puzzles related to the obstacles Martin Luther King Jr. overcame with words like, "prejudice" and "racism." The second word search has students finding words related to how MLK fought to change the injustice he faced with words like, "courage," "peace," and "oration."
Teaching tips
It's a good idea to have students work in pairs or groups, especially when filling out the graphic organizers. You may have students choose their favorite MLK quotes and write a journal entry in which they make a connection (Text to text, text to self, or text to world). Encourage students to think about other significant figures in the world or to make a personal connection.
Instruction materials
The lesson includes a printable worksheet where students can draw a picture of a better world and write about their dreams.