Martin Luther King Jr. was a man that altered the course of history for African Americans in the United States. Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the classroom is important for a myriad of reasons. He was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement in America in the 1950s and 60s. He strove to gain equal rights for African Americans at a time when civil unrest was prominent in everyday events. He worked for change and an end to segregation through peaceful protests and boycotts. Nearly sixty years after his assassination, his legacy lives on in history books, speeches, quotes, parades, national service days, and more. Celebrating and remembering Martin Luther King's accomplishments in the classroom will remind your students of the remarkable man that he was.
1. Martin Luther King Jr. Read Alouds
1. We Are the Change by Harry Belafonte includes poetic words of wisdom from past and current Civil Rights movement leaders.
2. Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson will remind your students that though they are young, they can still affect change.
3. Rosa by Nikki Giovanni celebrates Rosa Park's contributions to the same Civil Rights goals that Martin Luther King worked to accomplish.
4. Great Lives: Martin Luther King Jr. by Rachel Ruiz is a nonfiction graphic novel that will pique the curiosity of older readers.
5. Martin and Anne by Nancy Churnin shows the similar struggles that both Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank faced throughout their difficult lives.
What do your students already know about this incredible leader? If they could meet him in person, what questions would they have for him? Build on their background knowledge, clarify misconceptions, and introduce vocabulary with the chart below. You can grab it free here.
Once your students have read up on Martin Luther King's life and accomplishments (see read aloud suggestions above), let them create projects to remember his work. Through art and research, you can find this bulletin board set that hits several standards here.
3. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Make a Difference
What issues do your students now feel more passionately about after learning more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Help them extend his legacy by encouraging them to write letters to make a change. What would they like to see changed or improved in their nation, state, town, or school? Here is a sample letter to help your younger kids write their elected officials, and here are tips for older students. On a local level, students can seek support from local city council members, or seek assistance from a principal or school board members at a school level. What a great way to incorporate ELA standards while instilling leadership qualities at the same time! You could even encourage your students (with their families) to sit in on city council meetings or school board meetings if applicable.
I hope this post has given you some new ideas to help you celebrate the leader that was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I'd love to hear from you if you choose to incorporate any of these ideas in your classrooms. :)
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