On January 15th, we remember and honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of equality. His story, values, and mission are all vital parts of U.S history, making them essential to any classroom’s curriculum. While this topic includes difficult subjects such as racism, it can still be taught with the care it deserves at levels your students will understand. Here are 5 ways you can remember, honor, and teach Martin Luther King Jr.’s message.

MLK Books at Every Reading Level

Books are an excellent way to start the lesson. We Are Teachers has broken down the perfect guide for finding books that will suit your students’ needs to understand the subject matter.

“Our Words Matter” Writing Activity

King’s speeches are a massive part of his successful activism. With his words, he changed the world and inspired people to be kinder to others. In this activity, your students will learn some of the powerful words he used, while also taking accountability for their own words and how they affect others.

MLK Vocabulary Worksheet

Similarly, this worksheet is a great way to get his vocabulary down. Words like “Segregation” and “Discrimination” are concepts young students may have a difficult time understanding, so this will help them commit the words to memory so they can understand the full context of MLK’s work.

Interactive Timeline

In place of a book report, try this DIY timeline instead. This activity will test your students’ reading comprehension while also allowing them to really digest the material and demonstrate their understanding of events.

Virtual Tour of the Civil Rights Museum

Museum trips are great for hands-on learning opportunities, but not everyone can physically get there. A virtual tour of the Civil Rights Museum will provide your students with important context around the Civil Rights Movement.