As we celebrate a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., how do you help your students or children appreciate his life’s work and legacy? These Evan-Moor lesson ideas provide some insight into Dr. King’s poignant teachings, which are still relevant to our world today.
Check out the free downloadable MLK activities, and other projects.
Grades PreK–K: Martin Luther King, Jr., Activities. Download them here.
(From Seasonal Activities)
Grades K–2: Dr. King Writing Form. Download them here.
(From Writing Forms: Tops & Bottoms)
Grades 1–2: He Changed America by Talking. Download them here.
(From Read and Understand: Celebrating Diversity)
Grades 3–4: Biographical Article and Activities. Download them here.
(From Read and Understand: Celebrating Diversity)
Grades 4–8: Spanish/English Biography and Activities. Download them here.
(From Spanish/English Read and Understand)
Grades 1–6: The Handshake Book. Download them here.
(From How to Make Books with Children)
Grades 1–6: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Download them here.
MLK Day Activities
Dream Cloud (grades 1–3)
After reading about MLK and learning about his “I Have a Dream” speech, challenge students to brainstorm their own dreams that can in some way improve the world.
Once students have come up with their ideas, transfer them onto cloud-shaped paper and decorate! Then hang them in your classroom for decoration! You can also bind the clouds together to create a class book.
Dream Speech Project (grades 4–6)
For older grades, have students watch or read MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech and then write their own. Start with brainstorming topics for what dreams students have for themselves, classmates, and future. Brainstorm as a class, individually, or in small groups to come up with as many ideas as possible!
Then, students can write their speeches and present them to the class with their ideas of how to improve the world.
A Letter to MLK (grades 3–6)
After learning about MLK and civil rights, have students write a letter to MLK, telling him about the effect he’s had on the world today. For younger grades, you can write one letter as a class, brainstorming and writing as a group. Point out specific examples of how MLK has made the world a better place.
MLK Reading Recommendations
A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. for ages 5–8: Follow MLK’s story through pictures to learn about his life, legacy, and impact on the world.
The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography Book for New Readers for ages 6–8: This short book follows MLK from his childhood to adulthood, with easy-to-read sections and colorful illustrations.
I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World) for ages 5–9: Using comic-book style illustration, this book tells the true story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and details all of his accomplishments.
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for ages 6–8: Read small excerpts and quotes from MLK’s impactful speeches to learn about his life and legacy.
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for ages 4–8: Learn about MLK through the perspective of his son, Martin Luther King III, in this illustrated memoir for kids.
Hand-in-Hand for a Better Land bulletin board template and writing prompts (from Evan-Moor’s Seasonal Bulletin Boards):
- What does it mean to stand “hand-in-hand”? Have your students tell about a time when they stood together for a common belief or cause. How did standing hand-in-hand make a difference?
- Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that all people would be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Have students write about what makes up a person’s character.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (August 28, 1963)
Christine Wooler has experience working with children as a youth soccer coach and summer camp counselor. She is currently studying English Literature and journalism in college. She enjoys exploring educational topics that help students have fun while learning.