Are you looking for Martin Luther King Day activities for your elementary classroom? Martin Luther King Day offers an opportunity to teach our students the importance of equality and fighting for what is right. These ideas provide a foundation for engaging, meaningful lessons that can inspire your students to become change-makers. Our students can learn so much by reading literature, creating writing and art projects, and performing acts of service. They’ll learn how to be active citizens in their communities and work towards improving the world!
Books on Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life
Start by introducing the life of Martin Luther King Jr to your students. You can use age-appropriate biographical videos, books, or articles.
Using read-alouds in my classroom is one of my favorite ways to introduce the life of Martin Luther King Jr.! Here are a handful of my favorite read-alouds.
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport: This biography picture book tells the story of his life by weaving in his immortal words. The pictures are breathtaking!
I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer is a friendly and fun biography.
This series of books are a favorite among students. This book follows MLK from childhood to how his dream still lives on
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After reading, help your students understand how Martin Luther King Jr fought for civil rights and brought change through peaceful means.
Ask your students what lessons they learned from Martin Luther King Jr that they can use in their lives today.
In addition to reading and discussing the biographies, use other literature to teach empathy and inspire students to use kindness.
Consider reading books like The Other Side and Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson or The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. These books provide valuable insights about the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle for equality, and the human experience. You can also discuss how the characters in these books stood up for what is right and how they can apply these lessons in their daily lives.
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Take a Virtual Field Trip Through Martin Luther King, Jr's. Life
Consider taking a virtual tour to further educate your students about Martin Luther King’s life and work. Dr. King’s birth home, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, MLK Memorial in Washington DC, and I Have a Dream – Martin Luther King and the March on Washington are excellent places to start!
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
MLK Memorial in Washington, DC
I Have a Dream – Martin Luther King and the March on Washington
MLK’s Selma to Montgomery March
While taking students through the virtual tours, provide students with a map so that they can create interactive maps to illustrate the significant locations and events of the Civil Rights Movement and provide brief explanations for each.
Another fun addition would be to use Google Earth to locate these places.
These virtual tours offer a vivid and engaging exploration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From his early years to the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement, these tours bring history to life.
This free Martin Luther King Day activities includes two printables that will accompany any book or online resource that you use in your classroom while celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Writing and Art Projects Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one of the most famous speeches in history. In honor of Martin Luther King Day, have your students write their own speeches about something they believe needs to change in today’s society. Encourage students to think critically about what they would like to change and how they can make a difference. Afterward, have students deliver their speeches in class to inspire others and share their ideas.
Another fun way to help your students learn about Martin Luther King Jr and his message is by hosting a poetry competition. Have students write and perform poems about equality, unity, and kindness. This activity allows students to explore creativity while delivering a meaningful and thought-provoking message.
In the spirit of Martin Luther King’s vision for unity and cohesion, have students work together to create a paper chain. Each link should contain a message of unity, kindness, or equality. Ask your students to decorate each link of the chain with their own unique touch.
Community Service Projects
To honor Martin Luther King’s legacy, encourage your students to participate in an act of service. This act can be done in their communities or within the school. Some service ideas include volunteering at a local food bank, cleaning up a community park, or simply cleaning up around their school building or playground, collecting donations for a charity, or visiting a senior center. Doing acts of service is a way to encourage students to put into practice the values of justice, compassion, and empathy.
Additional Martin Luther King Day Activities
- Weave in reading, writing, word work, and math content while celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.
2. Play a game like this I have… Who has game… and review facts and vocabulary centered around Dr. King.
Martin Luther King Day offers an opportunity to teach our students the importance of equality and fighting for what is right. These ideas provide a foundation for engaging, meaningful lessons that can inspire your students to become change-makers. Our students can learn so much by reading literature, creating writing and art projects, and performing acts of service. They’ll learn how to be active citizens in their communities and work towards making the world a better place!
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Outrageously True ~ Martin Luther King Jr. Edition
