Martin Luther King Jr. Day - The Legacy of a Dream

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• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
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Introduction

This lesson explores the history and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and explores why there is a national holiday for him in the United States. During this lesson, your students will build a profile of MLK and learn about the various things he did to influence racial rights in America and the UK. There are various videos that can be adjusted or changed to suit your classes, and a couple of slides explaining to your students why learning about MLK is relevant to students in the UK.

Instructions

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What are we going to learn?

- What the civil rights movement is.

- Who Martin Luther King Jr. was.

- What happened to him, and why.

- Why he is important to history.

What do you already know about

Martin Luther King Jr.?

1

Basically everything!

2

I know a bit...

3

...I've heard of him.

4

Not sure who that is.

5

Couldn't even guess!

Why is there a

'Martin Luther King Day'?

MLK Day

MLK Day exists to honour the achievements and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pivotal leader in the Civil Rights Movement. The holiday commemorates King's advocacy for non-violent resistance against racial segregation and injustice, and encourages people to volunteer and promote equity in their communities.

What is the

Civil Rights Movement?

Civil Rights Movement

The 1954–1968 civil rights movement in the United States was a decades-long campaign by African Americans and their allies to end legalised racial discrimination, disenfranchisement and racial segregation in the United States.

Who was

Martin Luther King. Jr?

Why was he

assassinated?

Assassination

• James earl Ray fired the shot that killed King.

• Racism and political opposition: King was a target for those who opposed racial equality. Or challenged the economic ‘norms’ of white Americans.

• Expansion of King's activism: Some white Americans who had once respected King's civil rights efforts were angered by his vocal opposition to the Vietnam War and his shift toward addressing economic inequality (Black poverty).

Put the key events of MLK's life

in the right timeline order

1

Graduates from Crozer Theological Seminary.

2

Becomes the spokesperson for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

3

Delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. 

4

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15.

5

Earns a Ph.D. from Boston University.

6

Is shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee, during a visit to support workers.

Why is MLK important to learn about in the UK?

Leaning about MLK in the UK

Martin Luther King Jr. is important in the UK because his visit to Newcastle in 1967 connected the US Civil Rights Movement with British race relations and the struggle for human rights. His non-violent resistance to achieve equality provides a great inspiration for activists in the UK. His death prompted reflection on racial inequality in Britain and conversations about domestic equality.

Do you agree that learning about civil rights activists around the world can be helpful for us in the UK? Why, or why not?

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the life and story of Martin Luther King Jr.

I hope you found some of his story interesting, and motivates you to stand up for injustices you see around you.

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