What would you march for? Martin Luther King Jr. Day- 5th Grade 2026

5th Grade Lesson

What would you march for?

24/25 6th Grade What is the story behind the MLK Holiday?

6th Grade Lesson

Story Behind the MLK Holiday

7th grade MLK 24-25 Lesson

7th Grade Lesson

Teacher Guide Here

8th grade 24/25 MLK Lesson

8th Grade Lesson

Teacher Guide Here

More MLK Lesson Plans & Resources

Martin Luther King Jr. | Civil Rights Leader | PBS LearningMediaIn the second half of the 20th century, racial tensions rose in the United States as African Americans began to challenge unjust laws that supported discrimination and segregation. This movement found its leader in the patient and inspiring minister, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students will watch a short video and engage in two primary source activities in order to explore how King’s deep-seated commitment to nonviolence contributed to the expansion of social justice in the United States, particularly for African Americans.

Dr. Martin Luther King at Gee’s Bend | Retro Report | PBS LearningMediaThis eight-minute video illustrates the achievements of the civil rights movement, as well as the enduring challenges facing black Americans, by focusing on the small community of Gee’s Bend, Ala., a town that attracted the attention of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s. The video helps students draw a line between the battles fought by King’s movement nearly five decades ago and the barriers to equality and opportunity that residents of Gee’s Bend face today. For lessons focused on the civil rights movement of the 1960s, the video serves as a bridge between the past and the present, and sets up a discussion about the unfinished agenda of King’s movement.

1964: "The Importance of the Civil Rights Act" | PBS LearningMediaLearn about the impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, often considered one of the most influential laws in U.S. history, in this video from American Experience: “1964.” It not only ended segregation in public places, it altered the “southern way of life” and created a new America. Although Lyndon Johnson celebrated its passage, he knew that it would bring sweeping and sometimes challenging changes to society. This resource is part of the American Experience Collection.

Analyzing King's "I Have a Dream" Speech Video | PBS LearningMediaIn this video, schoolchildren take turns reading from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream Speech" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The Sawyer Show | Take the Stage | PBS LearningMediaLearn about the achievements of George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dolores Huerta by acting them out! Sawyer, a student in history class, imagines himself hosting a talk show with guests George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dolores Huerta. When Sawyer interviews these historical figures about their achievements, the viewers act out phrases that represent each of their legacies. Learning Objective: Identify contributions of the historical figures George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dolores Huerta. View the Spanish version of The Sawyer Show by clicking here.

Civil Rights Movement: The Declaration's Influence | Interactive Lesson | PBS LearningMediaIn this interactive lesson, students explore key speeches given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the 1960s civil rights movement. They will analyze how he employed language to connect the movement to the Declaration of Independence and to justify its goals.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign | PBS LearningMediaLearn about Dr. Martin Luther King’s efforts to address systemic poverty and economic injustice in the late 1960s with the launch of his Poor People’s Campaign and his support for the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike,. in these video excerpts from Roads to Memphis | AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

Close Reading of Text: MLK "Letter from Birmingham Jail" | PBS LearningMediaIn this video from EngageNY's Common Core Video Series, David Coleman, a contributing author to the Common Core State Standards, models a close reading of Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail. This resource is part of the Common Core Video Series collection.

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