Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.- HIS LIFE

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a African-American who was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929. He went to school and became a minister. He worked to change laws that were unfair to African-American people.

We once had a law that said African-American people must sit at the back of buses. King wanted to change this law, but he wanted to do it peacefully. He and many other poeple decided not to ride the buses until African-Americans were allowed to sit anywhere in the buses. King's plan worked and the law was changed.

There were also more unfair laws in our country. Black and white people could not go to the same parks and schools. King spoked against these laws. His most famous speech is called "I Have a Dream." Many people went to hear him speak. He said that he wanted all people to be treated equally, or the same.

He worked very hard to make life better for many people. Because he helped so many people in such peaceful ways, King was given the Nobel Peace Prize--a very important award.

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was tragically killed by a sniper in Memphis, Tennessee. The news of his death shocked the world. More than 100,000 people attended his funeral in Atanta, Georgia.

Today his birthdate of January 15th is observed throughout the United States. It is a time for all people to remember a great man and his ideas of freedom and equality for all people.

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MLK ART

PEACE AWARD

Have students make and wear these peace awards to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Talk to students about making a special effort to be kind and fair to other children on this day.
Make a cutout of the award for each student. (Click on thumbnail below to go to printable award.)
Have students cut out and color the awards with crayons or markers.
Glue each award on poster board or oaktag and cut around award. Laminate if desired.
Use hole puncher to make a hole at top of each award.
The award can be decorated by applying glue to border and sprinkled with gold or silver glitter.
Thread a piece of yarn through hole at top to make a necklace.

PEACE DOVE MOBILE

Reproduce the peace dove pattern and cut out. Trace the pattern on oaktag and cut out.
Give each child a 9" paper plate with fluted edges. Line up the edge of paper plate with tail of dove. Cut fluted edge of paper plate and glue on dove's tail. Cut slits through both plate and tail to make the tail.
From the remaining outer edges of plate, cut out two wings, following the above instructions for tail.
Punch hole in dove to hang it. Tie a piece of yarn or string through hole to make a hanger.
Glue wings on dove.
Using markers or crayons, color beak and make eyes. You can also use movable eyes.

Hang peace doves from the ceiling of classroom.

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MLK GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

Martin Luther King, Jr. Word Search
Martin Luther King, Jr. Quiz
Martin Luther King, Jr. Unscramble

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MLK BOOKS

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David A. Adler

What is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? by Margaret Friskey

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr. by Jean Marzollo

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport

My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Christine King Farris

Let's Get Ready for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by Lloyd G. Douglas

My Dream of Martin Luther King by Faith Ringgold

Thank You, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! by Eleanora Tate

...If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King by Ellen Levine

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