Teacher Background

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929. As a child, he loved reading and learning and worked so hard in school that he skipped two grades. He later went to Morehouse College and became a pastor, like his father and grandfather. Dr. King believed deeply in fairness, kindness, and equality. He led peaceful marches, gave inspiring speeches, and encouraged people to work together to change unfair laws. His most famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” shared his hope for a world where everyone is treated with respect. Today, he is remembered as a hero who helped make the world a better place through peace and courage.

Full biography, click here.

Objectives

Students will:

• Understand that Dr. King worked to make life fair for everyone.
• Describe how Dr. King used peaceful actions to help people.
• Identify ways they can show fairness and kindness in their own lives.
• Participate in a craft or drawing activity that connects to Dr. King’s message.

Lesson Structure

Warm-Up Activity (Movement + Discussion)

Ask:

• “What makes someone a hero?”
• “Have you ever helped someone?”
• “How do we show fairness?”

Movement:

• Stand up if you helped someone this week.
• Clap once if you’ve seen something unfair.
• Put your hand on your heart if you want to help others.

Purpose: Builds SEL awareness and personal connection before introducing Dr. King.

Story Time: Who Was Dr. King?

Use a picture book or the teacher-created story:

“Martin’s Big Dream” (Story Summary)

• Dr. King loved learning and skipped two grades.
• He saw unfair rules that separated people by skin color.
• He became a pastor and a leader who used peaceful marches and speeches.
• He believed in solving problems with words and kindness.
• His “I Have a Dream” speech shared his hope for equality.
• He showed bravery, peace, and love throughout his life.

Visual Supports:
Show images of:

• Dr. King as a child
• Dr. King speaking
• Peaceful marches
• A dream cloud for “I Have a Dream”

Ask during reading:

• “Why do you think Dr. King loved school?”
• “Why were peaceful marches important?”
• “What do YOU dream the world could be like?”

Materials: markers, crayons, construction paper, heart templates.

“I Have a Dream” Mini-Activity

Read the famous line:

“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…”

Prompt:
“Let’s make our own classroom dreams!”

Students will color pictures of Dr. King and themselves and complete the thought bubbles with the prompts below:

Students complete:

• “I have a dream that our classroom will…”
• “I have a dream that friends will…”
  Teacher records ideas on chart paper.

Closing

Bring the class together and say:

“Dr. King taught us to be peaceful, brave, and fair. We can make the world better by being kind every day.”

Ask:

• “What did you learn about fairness today?”
• “How will you help others this week?”

Peace Pledge:
Students repeat after teacher:
“I will be kind. I will be fair. I will help others. I will use my words for good.”