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MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
Curriculum Overview
A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is a special event research-based curriculum. Students view video interview segments featuring Rita Dove, Pulitzer Prize winner and former Poet Laureate of the United States and renowned award-winning poet and author, Dr. Maya Angelou. These interviews serve as a springboard for their own research in various subject areas. A list of online resources is provided to support student research.
Viewing/Facilitation Strategies
- Introduce the Martin Luther King holiday topic and video segments. Ask students to share their knowledge about this inspirational civil rights leader.
- View the video segments as a class, in small groups, or individually.
- Facilitate student selection of one of the research projects listed below which fits their interests and grade level.
Martin Luther King Day Poster Project:
Create a poster or collage that captures the significance of the Martin Luther King Holiday. Include images and text that capture the importance of Dr. King's life and his struggle for civil rights. After you have completed the poster, share it with family and friends. Ask them to help you create a list of memories, thoughts, feelings, and new knowledge they gained by viewing your poster.
Profiles of Courage in the Civil Rights Movement:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a famous leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He and others peacefully worked and demonstrated to gain civil rights for everyone. Create a storyboard for a multi-page web site that profiles the courageous acts of Dr. King and two other leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. The web site should also feature a list of the civil rights that Dr. King was committed to achieving for all Americans.
The History of the Martin Luther King Holiday:
Martin Luther King was assassinated over thirty years ago. When and how did Martin Luther King Day become a national holiday? Why is it important? What do different states and cities do to celebrate the life of Dr. King? What happens on Martin Luther king day where you live? How do you observe the holiday at school and at home? Develop a newspaper article that presents the history of the Martin Luther King Holiday. Include a short timeline with photos.
Carrying on Dr. King's Legacy:
Research the life of Dr. King and the contributions he made for all Americans. How would you describe his legacy? What ideas, actions, or dreams did he leave for us to complete? Imagine that Dr. King could write a letter to your school. What would it say? What would he ask you to think about? What would he ask you, as students in the 21st Century, to do differently or better? What challenges would he give you? In what ways might he ask you to carry on his legacy and work? Make notes as you research his life and think about these questions. Write an imaginary letter from Dr. King to your school that could be read on his holiday.
Peaceful Disobedience: Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King:
Other great leaders who followed a philosophy of non-violence influenced Dr. Martin Luther King. India's Mahatma Gandhi was a major source of inspiration to Dr. King. Research the non-violent philosophy and tactics of both Gandhi and Dr. King. What acts of civil disobedience were critical to their leadership and vision? What were their major achievements? What led to their deaths by assassination? To demonstrate your understanding of their shared vision of non violence, create a multimedia presentation that highlights their philosophy, approach to leadership, and powerful legacies.
Dream Deferred or Realized?
Rita Dove discusses the dream "deferred." Examine what the term "deferred" means in relation to Dr. King's struggle for civil rights. What was achieved? What is the work deferred or left to be done? On Martin Luther King Day many communities and individuals participate in community service activities. In addition, many organizations carry on the struggle for civil rights and justice for all people every day of every year. What is being done in your community to achieve justice and fairness? What are the major issues being addressed? Research local organizations that you believe are carrying on Dr. King's legacy and keeping the dream alive. Create an annotated list of these groups or individuals to share with your class. Identify ways that student volunteers can get involved.
Dr. King's Song
Maya Angelou describes how Dr. King sang his song of civil rights. His voice rang out for freedom and fairness in his "I Have a Dream" speech and in many other speeches. Research Dr. King's major speeches. Through audio clips or video, listen to his words and how he delivered their meaning in a powerful way. Select one speech that has the most meaning for you. Write an essay analyzing its content, style, use of language, and historical importance. Put the speech in the context of the time and circumstances in which it was delivered.
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