Lesson Plan

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech as Visual Text

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Young historians watch a video of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his "I Have a Dream" speech and answer questions that test their knowledge of the event. After discussing the fact sheet, they reread the speech, select a phrase or line that they find particularly powerful, and illustrate this passage.

5 Views 4 Downloads
Instructional Ideas
  • Conduct the lesson before Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday or during February's Black History Month
  • Post the artwork about the classroom and conduct a gallery walk of the images
Classroom Considerations
  • Although designed for middle school, the lesson is appropriate for high schoolers as well
  • Copies of the fact sheet are required
Pros
  • Class members are encouraged to use technology to create their illustrations
  • The activity invites participants to a close and careful study of the speech
  • An answer key is provided for the fact sheet
Cons
  • None