{"id":9019,"date":"2024-01-16T19:21:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T00:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?p=9019"},"modified":"2024-01-16T19:17:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T00:17:09","slug":"honoring-dr-kings-legacy-year-round-bringing-his-message-of-peace-and-justice-into-the-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2024\/01\/honoring-dr-kings-legacy-year-round-bringing-his-message-of-peace-and-justice-into-the-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Honoring Dr. King&#8217;s Legacy Year-Round: Bringing His Message of Peace and Justice Into the Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MLK, Jr. Remembered | National Geographic\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fPeJOdX5SsY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachervision.com\/holidays\/martin-luther-king-jr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Martin Luther King Jr. Day<\/a> was January 15th, but <a href=\"https:\/\/thekingcenter.org\/about-tkc\/martin-luther-king-jr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr King&#8217;s<\/a>&nbsp;message and example have so much wisdom to offer students year-round!&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/kids.nationalgeographic.com\/history\/article\/martin-luther-king-jr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MLK Jr.<\/a> was multifaceted. He was a family man, an organizer, an orator, and a hero to many. He won a <a href=\"https:\/\/crdl.usg.edu\/events\/mlk_nobel_prize\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nobel Peace Prize<\/a> and sparked a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crf-usa.org\/images\/pdf\/Martin-Luther-King-Philosophy-Non-Violence.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nonviolence movement<\/a> that continues today. His <a href=\"https:\/\/kinginstitute.stanford.edu\/king-resources\/major-king-events-chronology-1929-1968\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">life<\/a> continues to inspire people all over the world. Bring that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/mlk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">energy<\/a> into your classroom throughout the year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teach-nology.com\/teachers\/lesson_plans\/holidays\/mlk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resources<\/a>&nbsp;are available to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithsonianmag.com\/blogs\/smithsonian-education\/2022\/01\/07\/teaching-a-more-complete-picture-of-mlk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">teach<\/a> about MLK Jr.&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderopolis.org\/wonder\/Who-Was-Dr.-Martin-Luther-King,-Jr.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">life<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasdeafed.org\/cms\/lib\/TX50000592\/Centricity\/Domain\/227\/MLKLessonPlan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">legacy<\/a>. There are so many facets to his life that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/classroom-ideas\/martin-luther-king-activities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">topics for study<\/a> are almost endless. Of course, his <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.seattletimes.com\/mlk\/bio.html#life\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">life, in general,<\/a> is a topic that has many available lesson plans and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.educationworld.com\/teachers\/ten-writing-prompts-martin-luther-king-jr-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">activities<\/a> for students from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weareteachers.com\/martin-luther-king-activities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">elementary<\/a> through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/01\/15\/learning\/lesson-plans\/teaching-martin-luther-king-jr.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">high school<\/a>. Even studying interesting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/uk\/discover\/history\/general-history\/martin-luther-king-facts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">facts <\/a>about his life can <a href=\"https:\/\/nmaahc.si.edu\/explore\/stories\/5-things-know-surprising-facts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spark<\/a> class discussion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2024_JAN_16_MLK_JR_Year_Round_Silva.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2024_JAN_16_MLK_JR_Year_Round_Silva-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2024_JAN_16_MLK_JR_Year_Round_Silva-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2024_JAN_16_MLK_JR_Year_Round_Silva-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/2024_JAN_16_MLK_JR_Year_Round_Silva.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lessons on the civil rights movement and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learningforjustice.org\/magazine\/the-best-of-our-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. King&#8217;s integral role<\/a> provide impactful learning opportunities. The wealth of <a href=\"https:\/\/libguides.uwf.edu\/c.php?g=1113421&amp;p=8119117\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">primary sources<\/a>, including his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/nyc\/exhibit\/mlk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iconic speeches<\/a>, letters, interviews with key activists, historic news reports, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/interactive\/2018\/04\/us\/martin-luther-king-jr-cnnphotos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">photos<\/a>, offer first-hand perspectives. These resources allow students to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.c-span.org\/person\/?38567\/MartinLutherKingJr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hear directly from those involved<\/a> in the justice struggle and witness pivotal events. Well-designed <a href=\"https:\/\/edsitement.neh.gov\/lesson-plans\/dr-kings-dream\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lesson plans<\/a> help structure the analysis of these rich materials, allowing students to gain insights into Dr. King&#8217;s values and connect them to modern issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specific aspects of Dr. King&#8217;s life also make for engaging independent units. His legendary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mIyEp40W-V_jiijMRd2WliYqC73Ff5Q-I\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">speeches<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/kinginstitute.stanford.edu\/king-papers\/about-papers-project\/king-papers-publications\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">writings<\/a> stand alone as profound works worth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/weta\/washingtonweek\/article\/2018\/04\/5-of-martin-luther-king-jrs-most-memorable-speeches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">studying<\/a>. Their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.readwritethink.org\/classroom-resources\/lesson-plans\/exploring-power-martin-luther\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eloquent calls <\/a>for justice and nonviolence reveal his <a href=\"https:\/\/ri.pbslearningmedia.org\/resource\/9c6ebc8d-c391-4541-8151-76e86b9d30e0\/9c6ebc8d-c391-4541-8151-76e86b9d30e0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">philosophical depth<\/a>. Exploring the various <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/malu\/learn\/education\/lessonplansandteacherguides.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">monuments honoring his legacy<\/a>, like those <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caeducatorstogether.org\/lesson-plans\/e7mg5q\/a-stone-of-hope-the-power-of-a-monument-as-examined-through-the-mlk-jr-national-monument\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">maintained<\/a> by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/malu\/learn\/education\/lessonplansandteacherguides.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Park Service<\/a>, provides <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/mlkm\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cross-curricular opportunities<\/a>. His <a href=\"https:\/\/civiced.org\/six-principles-nonviolence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">principles of peaceful resistance<\/a> that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/malu\/learn\/education\/upload\/6_and_8_Peace_Studies.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">undergirded<\/a> the civil rights movement and earned him the <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/SDE\/CT-Core-Standards\/Materials-for-Teachers\/ELA\/ELA-Units\/ELA\/Grade-10-Making-Evidence-Based-Claims--Nobel-Peace-Prize-Acceptance-Speech-Rev-Dr-Martin-Luther-King\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1964 Nobel Peace Prize<\/a> also constitute their own impactful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/malu\/learn\/education\/upload\/4_and_5_Picturing_Nonviolence.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unit<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.altedaustin.com\/blog\/learning-about-martin-luther-king-jr-and-nonviolent-protest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Resources<\/a> abound for helping students appreciate these facets that made Martin Luther King Jr. an exemplary leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ideas for Infusing MLK Jr.&#8217;s Values All Year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Digital timeline<\/strong>: Have students create an interactive timeline highlighting key events from MLK&#8217;s life and the civil rights movement using tools like TimelineJS (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=15321\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social media campaign<\/strong>: Provide excerpts of MLK quotes and writings for students to draft mock Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook-style posts he might create to share his vision if he had access to social media.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MLK tribute video<\/strong>: Students produce a video honoring MLK&#8217;s legacy using a video creation tool like Adobe Express Video Maker (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=18831\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) or Canva for Education (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=15329\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>). It could include interviews, speeches, and music.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Podcast<\/strong>: Students produce a podcast episode analyzing one of MLK&#8217;s speeches, connecting his powerful ideas and vision to current events.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Augmented reality experience or Interactive map<\/strong>: Students develop an augmented reality experience or interactive map, such as Google My Maps (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=18096\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>), featuring images, audio clips, and location info connected to MLK civil rights events and memorial sites around the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I challenge you to keep Dr. King&#8217;s memory alive by integrating his works and values at multiple points throughout the academic year. As always, check out TeachersFirst&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/search_action.cfm?grade_low=0&amp;grade_high=12&amp;searchtext=martin+luther+king&amp;searchtype=all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resources<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?s=martin+luther+king\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blog posts<\/a>&nbsp;for more ideas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Martin Luther King Jr. Day was January 15th, but Dr King&#8217;s&nbsp;message and example have so much wisdom to offer students year-round!&nbsp;MLK Jr. was multifaceted. He was a family man, an organizer, an orator, and a hero to many. He won a Nobel Peace Prize and sparked a nonviolence movement that continues today. His life continues &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2024\/01\/honoring-dr-kings-legacy-year-round-bringing-his-message-of-peace-and-justice-into-the-classroom\/\" class=\"more-link\">read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[46,312,313],"class_list":["post-9019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-classroom-application","tag-lesson-ideas","tag-martin-luther-king-jr","tag-mlk"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9019"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9116,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9019\/revisions\/9116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}