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Every year on the third Monday of January, we commemorate the life and work of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a nationwide day of service to better our communities. In the classroom, this is a time for students to learn about Dr. King’s life, legacy, and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
Guide your students through meaningful reflection that they’ll remember for years to come with these Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities. And remember, this day is simply a starting point for further year-round discussion about racial equality, justice, and international peace with your class.
7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activities for Your Elementary Classroom
You can incorporate lessons about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. into any elementary subject, from ELA to social studies. This collection spans from reading passages and writing prompts to engaging, interactive activities. If you’re thinking about how to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in your classroom, add these resources to your lesson plans for January, or as part of a larger discussion about influential leaders during Black History Month in February.
Introduce students to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy
Start by sharing who Dr. King was and why we celebrate him now.
Martin Luther King Jr. Emergent Reader & Centers
By Limars Stars
Grades: PreK-K
Subject: ELA
Standards: CCSS RF.K.1a, RF.K.4; W.K.2; L.K.4
This emergent reader includes both color and black-and-white versions, plus a writing page where students can illustrate and write about their own dreams. Perfect for early literacy lessons, this resource also includes Common Core alignments to make lesson planning simple and stress-free!
Book Companion Set for Martin’s Big Words | Black History Month Reading Activity
By Tanya G Marshall The Butterfly Teacher
Grades: 3rd-4th
Designed as a companion to Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, this resource offers thoughtfully crafted read-aloud activities for MLK Jr Day that deepen students’ understanding of his life and legacy. Perfect for literacy blocks or social studies integration, these activities help bring Dr. King’s powerful message to life.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reading Comprehension & Questions
By The Lit Teacher
Grades: 2nd-6th
Subject: Social Studies
Featuring seven unique, ready-to-use activities for MLK Jr Day, this printable resource is perfect for literacy centers, shared reading, social studies lessons, early finisher tasks, and more. Flexible and easy to implement, it’s designed to help students explore Dr. King’s life, legacy, and message in meaningful, age-appropriate ways.
The History of MLK Day
By Read Like a Rockstar
Grades: 1st-5th
Subject: Social Studies
Help students go beyond the basics by exploring how his birthday became a national holiday. This informative 14-page eBook walks learners through the decades-long campaign to have Dr. King’s legacy formally honored. Perfect for social studies lessons, read-alouds, and classroom discussions, this resource brings history to life and deepens student understanding of why we observe MLK Day today.
Inspire thoughtful reflection about creating change
Once students are familiar with Dr. King, move on to activities that help them connect his work to their own lives.
MLK Jr. Day Bulletin Board and Banner Writing and Drawing Activity
By Seasonably Primary
Grades: PreK-2
Subject: Social Studies
This engaging resource invites learners to write and draw how they can make the world a better place using a variety of templates. It’s perfect for classroom displays, hallway decor, or a collaborative banner.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Prompt
By Teachers R Superheroes
Grades: Any
Subjects: Writing, Social Studies
With this digital writing prompt activity, students can explore their own goals and dreams for creating a more peaceful, inclusive world. This engaging activity encourages meaningful writing and discussion during MLK Day, Black History Month, or winter writing lessons.
Combine meaningful MLK Day learning with essential math practice
Look for opportunities to go beyond ELA and social studies assignments with cross-curricular activities that include math, science, or other subjects.
Martin Luther King Jr. Math Activity | MLK Color by Number
By Ford’s Board
Grades: 2nd-5th
Subject: Math
Standards: CCSS 3.NBT.A.3; 3.OA.A.4, 4.OA.A.1
With this print-and-go color-by-number activity, students will solve math problems to reveal inspiring images. This no-prep resource is perfect for MLK Day lessons, math centers, early finishers, or homework, giving teachers a stress-free way to blend social studies and math.
4 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activities for Your Middle School Classroom
Dive into MLK Jr.’s legacy with in-depth historical lessons and activities that blend ELA with history. These MLK Day activities can be used to learn about Dr. King on his dedicated day in January or integrated into any unit about the Civil Rights Movement throughout the year.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Close Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions
By Fifth in the Middle
Grades: 5th-6th
Subjects: Reading
This resource features passages designed to challenge readers and promote critical thinking about Dr. King and his work. You use follow-up activities to get students to dig deeper into the passages.
Martin Luther King Jr Digital Interactive Notebook for Google Slides
By BVG SLP
Grades: 5th-8th
Subject: ELA
Designed for Google Slides, this no-prep resource includes a variety of activities for MLK Jr Day that help students explore his role in the Civil Rights Movement. Ideal for ELA, social studies, or speech therapy, it’s designed to help students connect with history in a powerful way.
Martin Luther King Craft | Biography Research Activities, Bulletin Board Project
By Teacher Noire
Grades: 5th-8th
Subject: Social Studies
In this interactive project, students will learn about the life of Martin Luther King Jr., his triumphs, and his challenges. This resource is perfect for celebrating Black History, famous men in history, civil rights activists, history, language arts, or cultural studies lessons.
Martin Luther King Webquest Digital Activity No Prep Google Doc™
By Social Studies Aloft
Grades: 6th-8th
Subject: Social Studies
Many students only know Dr. King for his “I Have a Dream” speech. This webquest activity takes students beyond this speech to help them understand more about his achievements and his legacy, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Letter from Birmingham City Jail, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
3 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activities for Your High School Classroom
As students get older, they have a deeper ability to analyze, understand, and reflect on Dr. King’s contributions, impact, and larger role in the Civil Rights Movement. These MLK Day activities encourage thoughtful discussion and critical thinking, helping students connect Dr. King’s vision of equality, justice, and change to today’s world.
MLK I Have a Dream Activities Martin Luther King Jr Speech Rhetorical Analysis
By The Supported Teacher
Grades: 7th-12th
Subject: ELA
Guide your students through an analysis of Dr. King’s historic speech with this analysis activity and reflection. Students use an annotation guide and graphic organizers to complete a rhetorical analysis of the speech and debrief with a written reflection and/or guided discussion.
Martin Luther King Jr – Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis – MLK
By Mondays Made Easy
Grades: 10th-12th
Subject: ELA
Standards: CCSS RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.6, RI.9-10.8, RI.11-12.1, RI.11-12.2, RI.11-12.6, RI.11-12.8
Dr. King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” is a great text to practice rhetorical analysis and study the Rogerian Argument outline. This resource includes a Rhetorical Analysis Slideshow Lesson for Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides with accompanying guided note worksheets. Great for AP Language and Composition or senior English classes on MLK Day or any day of the year.
Martin Luther King March on Washington Civil Rights Bundle – PRINT and EASEL
By Diana Bailey
Grades: 9th-12th
This bundle includes two complementary resources about the 1963 March on Washington. The first resource features a two-page informational text covering the march, including the logistics, its goal, and the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. The second exposes students to working with nonfiction texts by having them analyze newspaper articles about the march.
Explore more Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities with TPT
If you’re looking for more meaningful MLK Day activities for kids and young adults, these resources for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day from TPT can provide further opportunities for learning and reflection.