Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Read Martin's Big Words

For Teachers Pre-K - 4th
Students read Martin's Big Words. In this social studies activity, students read and discuss  the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Turbulent Times of the Sixties

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore 1960's America. In this American history lesson, students read about and research 1960's political and entertainment figures, social activism, the Civil Rights Movement, and environmentalism as they complete writing and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Power of Our Stories

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students compare violence to nonviolence. in this peace lesson, students tell stories from their own life that show the difference between violence and nonviolence. They listen to examples of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact on racial equality. In addition to lectures and discussion, students also submit two written assignments exploring how struggle builds character and the sacrifices and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dr. King’s Leadership in the Aftermath of the Bombing of Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners explore the concept of nonviolent resistance. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, students consider how Dr. King led during the aftermath of the bombing of Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Time to Break Silence

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate Martin Luther King's decision to speak out against the war in Vietnam.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders read excerpts of MLK's speech.  Students examine why King made the decision to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Muhammad Ali and his Vietnam War Resistance: Defining Nonviolent Action through Gandhi and King

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students research Muhammad Ali's act of civil disobedience. In this civil disobedience lesson, students research Ali's defiance of the Vietnam War draft and compare his reasoning to Martin Luther King's thoughts on the war. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream"

For Teachers 10th
Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech provides the text for a study of how to analyze a speaker’s content, delivery and attitude. Visual learners identify specific lines that reveal King’s purpose and point of view while...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Courageous Voices that Shook the Nation to Action

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. In this Martin Luther King, Jr. day lesson, students learn about the holiday for Dr. King through literature and music. Students learn the lyrics to Stevie Wonder's 'Happy Birthday' about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To March or Not to March?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students read historical artifacts about the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and analyze the choices made during the time. In this March on Washington lesson, students read Martin's Big Words and the 'Step Back in Time' sheets....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Speech for the Sneetches

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students write a speech using Dr. King as an example and the characters from a Dr. Seuss book. In this speech lesson, students read the 'I Have a Dream' speech and use it as a guide to help them write a speech based on the book Sneetches...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Importance of Self-Governance in Changing Laws

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the teachings of Gandhi and King. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, students listen to a lecture that reveals how Gandhi and King educated their followers about nonviolent resistance. High schoolers analyze...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bringing Us Together

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore how people work together to create a better world. In this working for the common good lesson, students recognize how we are all connected and illustrate ways they can give of themselves for the common good. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reform At All Costs

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the term visionary.  In this World History lesson, 11th graders research a specific individual who they feel is a visionary.  Students develop a power point presentation.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking the Unjust Law

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students consider the concept of civil disobedience. For this lesson on changing unjust laws, students use primary sources to understand how Gandhi and King changed the law. Students will then list laws that they feel are unjust and plan...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Defenders of Justice

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research abolitionists, civil rights advocates, and their allies to learn about racism and justice. In this racism and justice lesson, students define justice and sing a song about activism. Students review the biographies...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Equality

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine equality. In this equality activity, students experience unfairness and inequality through teacher showing favoritism in words and actions. Students read Martin's Big Words and discuss fairness and equality.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpersonal Nonviolence: Using MLK to Teach Conflict Resolution

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students develop conflict mediation and resolution skills by applying the nonviolence philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King. In this conflict resolution instructional activity, students watch a video about Dr. King and review quotes from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey to Synergy on the path of Gandhi and King

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the concept of synergy. In this peace and tolerance instructional activity, students read sections of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Covey and then discuss how Gandhi and King mastered the art of synergy....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"I Have a Dream"

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students identify the main points and unique qualities of the "I Have a Dream" speech and write their own speech.  In this "I Have a Dream" lesson, students read the speech and discuss why the speech was written and the historical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Words Can Hurt: King Day

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore stereotyping. In this moral and character development lesson, students share reactions to a T-chart displaying what boys can do and girls can not do. Martin Luther King's accomplishments are discussed, and students...
Worksheet
Curated OER

MLK: The Man and His Legacy

For Students 5th - 6th
In this word scramble learning exercise, students unscramble the 17 words that relate to Martin Luther King. Students then use the numbers for each letter to find the secret message.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Words Can Hurt: King Day (4th)

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study stereotypes and write about how to end stereotyping. For this stereotypes lesson, students study a T-chart about boys and girls stereotypes. Students then discuss stereotypical phrases. Students discuss Martin Luther King,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Technology: Historic Figures

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research historical figures and create Powerpoint presentations about them. They present their completed projects to the class. Students gfenerate one question about their figure which is included on a quiz.