10 Great Ways to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. in the Classroom

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shaped the course of history as a leader in the fight for civil rights. Each January, we honor his contributions and remember his powerful impact on the world. Inspire the next generation with these ten great ways to bring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy into your classroom.

1. Post MLK quotes in your classroom

Grab these FREE posters for your classroom:

1. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

2. “Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”

3. “The surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”

4. “Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you’re nobody.”

5. “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

6. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

7. “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

8. “The time is always right to do what is right.”

9. “Be the best of whatever you are.”

10. “It is always the right time to do the right thing.”

2. Take a virtual tour

Even if your school isn’t near Atlanta or Memphis, you can still take your students on a field trip to two museums that will teach them all about MLK. Start with a virtual tour of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park in MLK’s hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Your students will get to see several of the locations important to MLK and his legacy, including the house where he was born. Access the tour here: Virtual Tour of the MLK National Historical Park

A virtual tour of the National Civil Rights Museum allows your students to see exhibits to teach them more about MLK and his legacy, including a glimpse of the Lorraine Motel where MLK was assassinated.

3. Make a timeline

Review the key dates and events important to the life and work of MLK. Provide large pieces of paper and have students research these dates and create a timeline that they can share with others.

4. Analyze the famous “I Have a Dream” speech

Provide students with the text of MLK’s most well-known speech and have them analyze what they think it meant to MLK’s life and compare and contrast that with how it continues to apply to our lives today. Students might even add what their dreams are for equality, starting now or heading into the future. Follow up the activity by showing students a video of this famous speech.

5. Have students create a Martin Luther King Jr. Trivia

Challenge your students to research Martin Luther King Jr. and come up with a list of trivia that they can use to teach others about his important work and life. Students can share their lists with one another and learn even more.

6. Journal entries from MLK’s viewpoint

Ask your student to channel MLK and write a series of journal entries from his viewpoint. Perhaps they could write what they think MLK was thinking and feeling immediately before or immediately after his “I Have a Dream Speech.” They could also consider how MLK might have felt when he experienced discrimination.

7. Organize an art show

Invite students to think about all they have learned about MLK and create a piece of art to showcase his life and work. Students might paint a picture or make a sculpture, including an analysis of what they created and how it represents MLK. Once the art is complete, organize a show for other students and parents to visit.

8. Have your students do a service project

Build on MLK’s quote that “everybody can be great because everybody can serve,” and have your students do a service project. They might collect coats for homeless shelters or hold a food drive to stock a local food pantry.

9. Writing activity focusing on content of character

Provide students with writing paper and invite them to write about what character traits they want to be remembered for. Ask them to focus on character traits that make the world a better place just as MLK did. Take the activity further by having students illustrate their essays and create a school display to honor the legacy of MLK.

10. Have students create illustrated “dictionaries”

Choose a variety of vocabulary words that apply to the life and work of MLK and ask students to define them. Use words like discrimination, civil rights, segregation, equality, fairness, and equity. Have students create illustrated “dictionaries” that define each word in a way that would teach others about MLK’s work.

MLK is one of the most notable Americans associated with the Civil Rights Movement and the push for peace and equality among all. Use one or more of these activities to help bring MLK’s legacy alive for your students, and the lessons they learn will stick with them long after Martin Luther King Jr. Day is over.