When is Martin King Luther Jr. Day?
When is Martin King Luther Jr. Day?
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Each year on the third Monday of January, America honors the birth, life, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is a Federal holiday so schools and libraries are closed, most federal and state offices are closed, and there are no mail deliveries.
In 2019, a survey by Bloomberg Law showed that 45% of employers give all or most employees a paid day off for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and this has doubled since 1990.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only national holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve our communities.
On this day, as well as all year long, we remember the injustices that Dr. King fought against, acknowledge them, and strive to uphold his values while taking action to continue his legacy. We remember his unwavering dedication and fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and people through nonviolence and persistence.
"You may well ask: “Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn’t negotiation a better path?” You are quite right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue."
"You may well ask: “Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn’t negotiation a better path?” You are quite right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue."
King, Martin Luther, Jr. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. Stanford, CA: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute.
King, Martin Luther, Jr. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. Stanford, CA: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute.
Martin Luther King. Jr.mp4Martin Luther King Jr. Numberrock.com
Martin Luther King Jr. Kid President
The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"I've Been to the Mountaintop" Speech
Current Events:
Martin Luther King Jr. Homeschool Pop
"I Have a Dream" Speech
Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Videos
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Motivational Speech
Resources:
The King Center The CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change is Bernice King. It was founded by Coretta Scott King two months after Dr. King was assassinated.
Follow her on twitter: @BerniceKing and the center @TheKingCenter
Learning for Justice: Reflections on a Dream Deferred
A look at the legacy of Dr. King's ideals. REP. JOHN LEWIS ISSUE 33, SPRING 2008.
Conscious Kid is an amazing organization that aims to reduce bias and promote positive identity development in youth. They have an awesome list of books to use when teaching about Martin Luther King Jr.
Teaching Tolerance is a must go-to for all teachers. They offer free resources for educators from kindergarten to high school to teach with social justice and anti-bias approaches. They have so many resources and lesson plans and activities for all kinds of topics, but definitely check out their resources for MLK day!
Pebble Go – is a paid database, but my school pays for it. It has biographies of many people, including Martin Luther King Jr. And there are photos and a video. Plus, it will read aloud to your students!
National Geographic for kids has a free section on Martin Luther King Jr with information, photos, and a video.
Scholastic News has their video available for free on Martin Luther King Jr – the Man Who Changed America.
PBS PreK-K PBS(Grades: 3-5, 6-8) PBS (Grades: 9-12)
The Limits of Master Narratives in History Textbooks
Teaching King Beyond “I have a dream.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Myths (TIME Magazine)
Teaching MLK With the Social Justice Standards
MLK Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and the Capitol Hill Riot
Stanford History Education Group: Why did the Montgomery Bus Boycott Succeed?
New Visions: What made the Nonviolent Protest effective during the Civil Rights Movement? (Remote Version)
newsela: "I Have a Dream" (10 lessons)
Teaching and Learning About Martin Luther King Jr. With The New York Times
Picturing Freedom: Selma-to-Montgomery in March, 1965
Missing From Texts: Critical Changemakers
History Alive! Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: The Last Five Years
Honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with living history interpreter John W. McCaskill as he chronicles the last five years of King’s life and shares other stories of the individuals who fought to end racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. Join this free webcast on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 1pm EST, no registration is required.
This exhibition from the National Museum of African American History and Culture explores contemporary black life through stories about the social, economic, political and cultural experiences of African Americans. From the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the second election of Barack Obama, the coverage is broad.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence
Using this online module from the National Museum of American History, children and adults can enjoy exploring history together through children's literature, everyday objects and hands-on activities. Focused around Martin's Big Words, an illustrated biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.
This exhibition from the National Museum of African American History and Culture explores one of the most important grassroots movements of the civil rights era: the Poor People’s Campaign of 1968. It is available as a poster exhibition for educational use.
This collection from the National Museum of American History includes a brief video introduction into the March on Washington in 1963. Students will analyze a photograph and three artifacts from the March, answer the question "What problems did participants in the March on Washington aim to solve?" and consider how these issues continue to have relevance in the United States today.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reads his "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on "The Other America."
Dr. Martin Luther King: "Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech in Oslo, Norway, 1964."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Beyond Vietnam"
Smithsonian Resources and Activities
Martin Luther King Jr.: The Later Years
This Learning Lab highlights documents, images, objects and media from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and other Smithsonian units that help to tell the story of Martin Luther King Jr.’s final years, his assassination and his enduring legacy.
In this activity from the National Museum of American History, students examine one or more of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letters or speeches and turn powerful words and phrases into word art.
Spanish Resources:
The novel Felipe Alou ties into civil rights and MLK. Billetes: Martin Luther King: Un sueño de igualdad
Celebrate MLK in Spanish Class– Fun for Spanish Teachers Homenaje afro boliviano a Martin Luther King, Jr.
Teaching Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Slideshow in Spanish – Sara Broussard Paso corto: Biogénesis Hip Hop: Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – resources for Spanish class – Zambombazo Zachary Jones
Mis identidades- personal and cultural identity activities in Spanish – Poco a Poco. Paso corto: #TengoUnSueño ¿Cuál es el tuyo?
Spanish Social Justice Word Study – La Secundaria Kafu Banton: ‘Deberían enseñar más sobre la cultura negra’
Vecinos: Wilson Simonal – Tributo a Martin Luther King Paso corto: Las huellas de Martin Luther King, Jr. en Colombia
Itinerario-Martin Luther King. Un sueño de igualdad
Itinerario-Martin Luther King. Un sueño de igualdad
Celebra el dia de Martín Luther King, Jr.
Celebra el dia de Martín Luther King, Jr.
Selma to Montgomery | Yellowhammer History Hunt (Grades: 3-5)
Arthur Takes a Stand (PreK-K, K-2)
Whose Streets? | Lesson Plan Clips (Grades: 9-12)
Martin Luther King Jr.'s Impact in Cleveland | Politics on Point
(Grades: 3-5, 6-8)
Here are a few teacher-made lessons:
Google Slides in English Google Guide
SeeSaw (In Both English and Spanish)
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
In English
Dr. MLK Jr. with Gracies Corner.mp4Take Action
En español
Dr. MLK Jr. with Gracies Corner Spanish .mp4
General Resources Adaptable for Classrooms:
National Center for Civil and Human Rights (Atlanta): https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/
Adaptation: This museum's website has powerful images and primary source documents. For ASD students, focus on select images or short excerpts. Use clear, concise language to explain their significance. Consider using visual supports like picture cards or graphic organizers.
The King Center: https://thekingcenter.org/
Adaptation: The King Center's website offers biographical information, speeches, and resources. For ASD students, focus on key quotes and simple summaries of his life and work. Visual aids, timelines, and social stories can be helpful.
BrainPOP Jr. (Subscription Required): https://jr.brainpop.com/
Adaptation: BrainPOP Jr. offers animated videos on various topics, including Martin Luther King Jr. Their videos are generally engaging and accessible. Use the accompanying quizzes and activities to reinforce learning.
Scholastic Resources: https://www.scholastic.com/ (Search "Martin Luther King Jr.")
Adaptation: Scholastic often has age-appropriate articles, activities, and lesson plans. Adapt these by simplifying language, providing visual support, and breaking down tasks into smaller steps.
ReadWorks: https://www.readworks.org/
Adaptation: ReadWorks provides free reading passages and comprehension questions. You can filter by grade level and topic. Choose shorter passages with clear and concise language. Provide visual supports and pre-teach vocabulary.
Strategies for Adapting Resources for ASD Students:
Visual Supports: Use visuals such as pictures, symbols, and graphic organizers to support understanding and communication.
Social Stories: Create social stories to explain social situations and expectations related to MLK Day.
Clear and Concise Language: Avoid idioms and abstract concepts using clear and direct language.
Structured Activities: Provide clear instructions and structured activities with predictable routines.
Sensory Considerations: Be mindful of sensory sensitivities and provide a calm and supportive learning environment.
Individualized Support: Adapt activities and materials to meet the individual needs of each student.
Making it Relevant to Rochester:
Local Connections: Research local Rochester connections to the Civil Rights Movement. Did any local activists participate in national events? Were there local protests or demonstrations? The Rochester Public Library or local historical societies could be helpful resources.
Local Civil Rights Leaders: Research Rochester's civil rights history. This could include information on local leaders and organizations that fought for equality in Rochester. This could include regional leaders working on housing desegregation, education equity, or other local civil rights causes.
Connect to Present Day: Discuss how the themes of equality and justice are still relevant today nationally and in Rochester. This can help students connect the historical context of MLK Day to their own lives and communities.
Example of Adaptation:
Instead of showing a full-length speech by Dr. King, you could:
Show a short clip of a key phrase (e.g., "I have a dream").
Provide a visual representation of the phrase (e.g., a picture of people of different races holding hands).
Use a social story to explain the phrase's meaning in simple terms.
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