Martin Luther King Jr. Day is such an important time to teach kids about values like equality, peace, and standing up for what’s right. If you’re like me, you want your students to connect with Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and dream in a way that’s meaningful and fun.
Here are some quick and easy ideas you can use with your class!
1. Read About Martin Luther King Jr.
Have students read about the life of Martin Luther King to help them understand why we celebrate MLK day. Find reading articles that include reading comprehension questions. This is a perfect way to reinforce and practice comprehension skills.
2. Watch a Read Aloud About MLK Jr.
Videos are an engaging way to bring history to life, and there are excellent options on YouTube that your students will love. One of my favorites is “Martin Luther King Jr. for Kids” by Free School.
If you want to have students do something while they watch the video, you can have them complete a sheet like this one.
3. Listen to the “I Have a Dream Speech” and create a Peace Poster
Watch Martin Luther King Jr.’ s famous “I Have a Dream” speech and help your students connect with MLK Jr.’s vision of nonviolence and equality by having them design peace posters.
To make it simple for elementary students, I have clipped this video to make it shorter (1 min 30 seconds).
Steps for the Peace Poster Activity:
- Start with a short discussion about what peace means and how MLK Jr. worked to bring people together.
- Brainstorm ideas for symbols and words that represent peace, such as doves, hearts, “equality,” or “unity.”
- Give students copy paper or construction paper to design a peace poster.
- Have students share their peace poster with their classmates!
4. Work on a MLK Day Word Search
A fun and easy activity is working on a MLK Day wordsearch. Wordsearches are always a great idea for morning work, quiet time, partner activity, or for early finishers.
Thanks for stopping by today, Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Grab Your MLK Jr. Day Resources
Looking for ready-to-go materials to make your MLK Day lesson a breeze? Check out my MLK Jr. Day Resource, which includes:
- A reading passage about Martin Luther King Jr. with comprehension questions
- A web graphic organizer about MLK Jr. (that can be used with a video or a book)
- A Peace Poster worksheet
- And a fun MLK Day Word Search!
Other fun resources to check out!
