Take a moment and flip through the many quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Can you imagine what he’d say today with all of the conflicts going on in our world? There is so much to learn from his life and words. This post offers books and teaching activities to celebrate MLK Day.
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Books to Use for Martin luther king jr. day
There are so many powerful books in this list, and highly recommend you either pull them from your library or search for your own copy. Some are specifically about Martin Luther King Jr., and others are will help explain the Civil Rights movement and what it was like to live during the time of Martin Luther King Jr. Our kids really need these in order to comprehend why Martin was such an important person in our history.
To begin a study of MLK and the Civil Rights Movement, I’d recommend starting with Martin’s Big Words and I Have a Dream. Tying these to a video clip of his speech/speeches will give your students a full image of the time.
Next, I’d use The Story of Ruby Bridges, Child of the Civil Rights Movement, and Freedom on the Menu. These books help students understand how divided our country was at this time.Finally, I’d end with Jacqueline Woodson’s books, Each Kindness, The Other Side, and This is the Rope. Her books are powerful in helping children understand the importance of acceptance of others and treating others as we want to be treated.
Activity and Ideas focused on Martin Luther King Jr.
There are many activity options for teaching about Martin Luther King Jr. on Pinterest as well as on Teachers Pay Teachers. Last year, I started this Pinterest board.
I also love these literature based options. Expanding a theme into your ELA block really makes concepts stick. Using close reading techniques with informational articles or tradebooks deepens understandings.
Technology Resource Ideas
To take advantage of kids’ interest in technology, you might use these sites.
Interested in free resources from the Comprehension Connection library?
