Meaningful Middle and High School Activities for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day


Help your middle and high school students reflect on Dr. King's life and impact with these activities. 

1. Journal about some of Dr. King's famous words 

Dr. King's quotes have relevance for students' lives and the social issues they are facing. Provide your students with a journaling template that includes meaningful quotes and a series of reflection questions. Ask them to write quietly for fifteen minutes and then discuss what they wrote with their peers. My favorite quote from this printable journaling worksheet states, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly?" 

2. Listen to an audio recording of one of Dr. King's speeches while coloring in a meaningful quote 

Play one of Dr. King's famous speeches, such as "I Have a Dream" on speakers for the whole class. As the speech plays, distribute coloring pages with a variety of Dr. King's most famous quotes. Allow your students to color as they listen to the speech. 

3. Watch a film about the Civil Rights Movement 

A few powerful films to consider: 

  • Selma (2014)
  • Freedom Riders (2010)
  • Loving (2016) 

4. Add some books about the Civil Rights Movement to your class library and display them on MLK Day

  • Dear Martin by Nic Stone 
  • I Have a Dream: Writings & Speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
  • Why We Can't Wait by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Jackson 
  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
  • One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
  • Clean Getaway by Nic Stone 
  • Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
  • March by John Lewis (graphic novel) 

5. Research Dr. King's life and make biography posters 

This biography research poster template about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is ready to print and go. Students will search for information on the life and legacy of Dr. King. 

Research prompts include:
  • Illustrating a portrait
  • Writing quick facts about MLK's birth, education, death, home, and family
  • Summarizing some of MLK's accomplishments
  • Sharing quotes that MLK said throughout his lifetime
  • Answering questions about MLK's life journey

6. Visit The King Center website to find lesson plans and archival resources 

The King Center website has an abundance of resources that you can us on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A few of my favorite resources include: 

7. Watch videos about nonviolence 

8. Listen to "I Have a Dream" and "I've Been to the Mountaintop" while filling out a doodle notetaking template 

As your students listen to an audio recording of one of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speeches, this note taking template will guide them through the process of doodling meaningful words and images from the speech, writing down questions they have, summarizing the main ideas of the speech, and reflecting on how the concepts in the speech apply to their personal lives.

How are you honoring Dr. King in your classroom? Leave a comment below to share ideas with other teachers. 

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