Suggestions

·

Observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Your Classroom

Celebrate MLK Day in your classroom with engaging lessons and thought-provoking activities to honor the contributions and legacy of the civil rights leader with your students.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated for his stirring “I Have a Dream” speech, but his legacy stretches far beyond that moment. As a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a tireless champion for civil rights, King’s message of justice, equality, and nonviolent activism is as powerful today as it was during his lifetime. His work tackled issues including racial injustice, economic inequality, and voting rights—issues that continue to shape our society.

While Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday of January, gives us a special time to reflect on his contributions, it also invites us to carry his message of peace and equality with us every day. As educators, we have a unique role in helping students understand not only King’s historical significance but also how his principles can inspire them to take action in their own lives. As King once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” This is a call for us, as teachers, to keep the conversation going—not just one day a year, but also throughout the year.

For our students, understanding King’s fight for justice, his commitment to nonviolence, and his belief in the power of peaceful protest is more than learning about the past. It’s about understanding the power they hold to make change in the world around them. As educators, it’s our responsibility to create spaces for those conversations and to help them see how they can contribute to the ongoing work for equality and social justice.

This year, MLK Day is observed on Jan. 20, and many districts are closed in observance of the holiday. The King Center encourages educators to participate in their teach-in on Jan. 17 using the center’s free resources.

 Check out these additional resources as well:

Key TEKS connected to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. include:

  • Grade 3 – SS 3.18A, ELAR 3.20A
  • Grade 4 – ELAR 4.9A
  • Grade 5 – SS 5.17A, ELAR 5.9A
  • Grades 7 – SS 7.10A
  • Grade 8 – SS 8.16A
  • Grade 9 – ELAR 9.10A
  • Grade 10 – ELAR 10.9A
  • Grade 11 -ELAR 11.9A
  • Grade 12 – ELAR 12.10A
  • S. History – SS 11.4A, 11.7A
  • Government/Economics – SS 12.17A, 12.17C