Dr. Martin Luther King was not just a dreamer, he was a doer. He was a courageous leader who changed the course of history in just 39 years. As a teacher who has shared his story with countless students, I am struck again and again by the depth and complexity of his life: a man of vision, resilience, and sacrifice. His words and actions remind us that progress is possible, even in the face of daunting obstacles. Our world would be a very different place without Dr. King’s courage, which is why the holidays designated in his honor must be more than just one day. Martin Luther King Day should be a day of reflection, celebration and action.
It’s also a call for educators to use Martin Luther King Jr.’s activities to bring his lessons into classrooms, inspiring students to dream boldly and lead with justice. Below, I’ll share some meaningful ways to help your students not only understand Dr. King, but also live the values he established. Let’s dream bigger and take action!
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Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Activities
1. Peace painting poem
Students write an acrostic poem using the name “Martin Luther King, Jr.” And create a painting or drawing that includes one of his meaningful quotes.
2. Dream Quilt
Each student designed a square inspired by MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The class then assembles the squares into a collaborative quilt made of fabric, paper, or felt.
3. “Dear Dr. King” Letter
Students wrote heartfelt letters to Dr. King expressing gratitude, asking questions or sharing their own dreams for justice.
4. Invented for justice
Students brainstorm and design an invention that would help Dr. King spread his civil rights message (such as a peace communication machine, an equality robot, or a mobile solidarity van).
5. King’s Quotes Mosaic
Each student displayed a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and all the artwork fit together to form a large mosaic of Dr. King’s face.
6. Martin Luther King Jr. Timeline March
Students create small “floats” or rolling dioramas depicting major events in MLK’s life and parade them through the school, or the floats/dioramas can remain stationary and paraded by students.
7. Diamond Dream
Students created a diamond poem (a poem in the shape of a diamond) about Dr. King that captured the essence of his life and dreams in a few powerful words.
8. Dream Tree
Inspired by MLK’s dreams, create a classroom tree where each leaf contains a student’s dream for a better world.
9. Martin Luther King, Jr. Past and Present
Students write or draw how a day in Dr. King’s life would be different today in terms of technology, travel, activism, and more.
10. Nobel Peace Prize
Students research MLK’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and other Nobel Peace Prize recipients, then develop a class peace commitment. They then nominate students in their class who should receive the Peace Prize.
11. Martin Luther King’s family tree
Students created a family tree for Dr. King and researched key family members who influenced him.
12. MLK Jigsaw Challenge
Students create or solve jigsaw puzzles using facts and quotes about Dr. King. For fun, teachers can have students create puzzles out of chalk outside.
13. Design a dream T-shirt
Students design a T-shirt with an image or quote commemorating MLK and his message.
14. “Dream Friendship” Bracelet
Using handmade letters, string and beads, students create a bracelet with their dream on it (if they are making the bracelet for themselves) or a positive, inspiring, uplifting word on it to give to a friend or classmate.
Middle School Martin Luther King Jr. Activities
15. The path of tragedy
Students explore the causal events leading up to Dr. King’s assassination. They create timelines or flowcharts to help explain the political and social tensions of the time.
16. Kahut! there is a reason
Students can play or create their own Kahoot! Quizzes to test and share knowledge about Dr. King’s life, speeches, and legacy. Teachers can guide younger students through the pre-made version.
17. “The King’s Kitchen Table” Interview
Students researched key figures in Martin Luther King Jr.’s life—his parents, teachers, wife Coretta Scott King, and other activists—and role-played at the dinner table, sharing personal stories and quotes.
18.Martin Luther King in comics
Students used comics to recount real moments in the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. or to recount imaginary conversations between King and modern children.
19. “Road to Peace” board game
Students design a board game in which players advance by answering trivia or making peaceful choices inspired by MLK’s values.
20. “Voice of Justice” Song or Rap
Students write and perform an original song or rap song honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King.
21. “The Price of Justice” Past and Present
Students research the prices of everyday items and transportation costs in the 1950s and 1960s and compare them to today to gain historical context.
22. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Tour
Students plan to visit important sites in MLK’s life, such as Ebenezer Church, Selma and the Birmingham Jail.
23. “Breaking News!” Martin Luther King Headlines
Students use the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why) to summarize real newspaper articles about MLK.
24. What does the name mean?
Students explore why Dr. King’s name was changed and then research or present the meaning/story behind their own name.
25. “I Have a Dream” Video Reflection
Students watch MLK’s speech and complete a reflection sheet about its significance and impact.
High School Martin Luther King Jr. Events
26. Words that change the world
Students analyze and compare Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” determining tone, purpose, and historical impact.
27. Martin Luther King Jr. Radio Show
Students write and record a simulated 1960s radio segment covering Dr. King’s latest parade, award, or speech. They added fake interviews and ads from the era.
28. Martin Luther King Jr. Soundtrack
Students explore the music of the Civil Rights Era, create a themed playlist, or perform a freedom song related to MLK’s message. Students can also use modern songs or create their own song titles.
29. Martin Luther King Storybook
Senior students create illustrated children’s books about MLK’s life and read them aloud to younger students.
30. My dream speech
Inspired by MLK’s vision and speaking style, students wrote and performed their own “dream speeches.”
31. Leader in light and shadow
Students use Venn diagrams, organizers, or presentations to research and compare Dr. King to other civil rights leaders or opponents to contrast their beliefs, strategies, and influence.
32. MLK’s Insta and TikTok
Students create mock Instagram or TikTok profiles for MLK, including sample posts, hashtags or videos he might have shared if he were alive today.
33. Martin Luther King around the world
Students complete a world language worksheet (Spanish, French, or Mandarin) with vocabulary and facts demonstrating MLK’s global influence.
34. “Change March” event planning
Students plan a peaceful community march, including budget, logistics, permits and messaging inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.
35. “If MLK Were Here Today” Artificial Intelligence and Age Progression Campaign
Students use the Age Progression AI tool to imagine what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would look like today or create an AI-generated timeline of his portrait at different stages of his life (childhood, teen, adulthood, old age). After generating the images, students write reflective journals or speeches imagining his thoughts on today’s world and civil rights issues. Students can imagine Dr. King in historical events that he did not have the opportunity to see, such as the first black president, the first black female vice president, or all races uniting in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Extensions:
- Includes AI-generated “photo captions” of historical milestones.
- Use text-based artificial intelligence like ChatGPT to generate a fictional interview with the elder Dr. King.
36. Debate for dreams
Students engage in structured debate about whether Dr. King’s nonviolent movement was the best approach or whether he was the most influential leader of the Civil Rights Era.
37. Map Martin’s Memory
Students create digital or real maps to document the historical places MLK visited and where he is remembered today.
Download our free printable Martin Luther King, Jr. worksheet!
We have created a set of reading materials and supporting activities that are ideal for primary and secondary school students. It also includes a writing prompt and graphic organization page. Get your free Martin Luther King printables here.
