Martin Luther King Jr. Mini-Lesson and Activities Packet

About:

A social studies mini-lesson for grades Pre-K through 3rd grade! This resource consists of a 7-page activity packet in which students will learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and MLK Day, answer comprehension questions, learn 4 relevant vocabulary words, and sequence basic elements of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life.

Details:

• PDF, 10 total pages
• 2 short articles and 3 activities/worksheets

Target Audience(s):

• Special Education
• Pre-Kindergarten
• Preschool
• Transitional Kindergarten
• Kindergarten
• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade

Topic(s):

• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Activities
• Martin Luther King Jr. Lesson
• Black History Month
• Black History Month Heroes
• Black History Month Activities
• Black History Month Social Studies Lesson
• Civil Rights Movement
• Civil Rights History
• American Heroes
• Famous American Heroes
• Good citizens
• Racial Justice
• Racial disparities
• discrimination
• prejudice
• segregation
• Famous Americans
• Famous Figures in American History

Standards:

(CA)

K.6  Students understand that history relates to events, people, and places of other times. 

K.6.1. Identify the purposes of, and the people and events honored in, commemorative holidays, including the human struggles that were the basis for the events (e.g., Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthdays, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day).

K.6.2. Know the triumphs in American legends and historical accounts through the stories of such people as Pocahontas, George Washington, Booker T. Washington, Daniel Boone, and Benjamin Franklin.

HSS-1.1.1 Understand the rule-making process in a direct democracy (everyone votes on the rules) and in a representative democracy (an elected group of people make the rules), giving examples of both systems in their classroom, school, and community.

HSS-1.1.2 Understand the elements of fair play and good sportsmanship, respect for the rights and opinions of others, and respect for rules by which we live, including the meaning of the “Golden Rule.”

HSS-2.1 Students differentiate between things that happened long ago and things that happened yesterday.

HSS-2.3.1 Explain how the United States and other countries make laws, carry out laws, determine whether laws have been violated, and punish wrongdoers.

2.5 Students understand the importance of individual action and character and explain how heroes from long ago and the recent past have made a difference in others’ lives (e.g., from biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Louis Pasteur, Sitting Bull, George Washington Carver, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Golda Meir, Jackie Robinson, Sally Ride).

HSS-3.2.2 Discuss the importance of public virtue and the role of citizens, including how to participate in a classroom, in the community, and in civic life.

(TX)

TX.113.4 (2.13) Citizenship: The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as exemplified by historic figures and ordinary people.

2.13. (A) Identify characteristics of good citizenship such as a belief in justice, truth, equality, and responsibility for the common good.

2.13. (B) Identify historic figures such as Florence Nightingale, Paul Revere, and Sojourner Truth who have exemplified good citizenship.

2.13. (C) Identify ordinary people who exemplify good citizenship.

TX.113.5 (3.1) History: The student understands how individuals, events, and ideas have influenced the history of various communities.

3.1. (A) Describe how individuals, events, and ideas have changed communities over time.

3.1. (B) Identify individuals such as Pierre-Charles L'Enfant who have helped to shape communities.

3.1. (C) Describe how individuals such as Christopher Columbus and Meriwether Lewis and William Clark have contributed to the expansion of existing communities or to the creation of new communities.

(FL)

SS.K.A.2.1 Compare children and families of today with those in the past.

SS.K.A.2.2 Recognize the importance of celebrations and national holidays as a way of remembering and honoring people, events, and our nation's ethnic heritage.

SS.K.A.2.4 Listen to and retell stories about people in the past who have shown character ideals and principles including honesty, courage, and responsibility.

SS.K.C.2.1 Demonstrate the characteristics of being a good citizen.

SS.K.C.2.2 Demonstrate that conflicts among friends can be resolved in ways that are consistent with being a good citizen.

SS.K.C.2.3 Describe fair ways for groups to make decisions.

SS.1.A.2.1 Understand history tells the story of people and events of other times and places.

SS.1.A.2.2 Compare life now with life in the past.

SS.1.A.2.3 Identify celebrations and national holidays as a way of remembering and honoring the heroism and achievements of the people, events, and our nation's ethnic heritage.

SS.1.A.2.4 Identify people from the past who have shown character ideals and principles including honesty, courage, and responsibility.

SS.1.C.2.4 Show respect and kindness to people and animals.

SS.1.C.3.1 Explain how decisions can be made or how conflicts might be resolved in fair and just ways.

SS.2.C.2.4 Identify ways citizens can make a positive contribution in their community.

SS.2.C.2.5 Evaluate the contributions of various African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, veterans, and women.

SS.3.G.4.4 Identify contributions from various ethnic groups to the United States.

SS.3.C.2.1 Identify group and individual actions of citizens that demonstrate civility, cooperation, volunteerism, and other civic virtues.

(NY)

K.3 Symbols and traditions help develop a shared culture and identity within the United States.

K.3a Diverse cultural groups within the community and nation embrace unique traditions and beliefs, and celebrate distinct holidays.  Students will compare ways diverse cultural groups within the community and nation celebrate distinct holidays.

K.3b The study of American symbols, holidays, and celebrations helps to develop a shared sense of history, community, and culture. Students will explain when and why national holidays such as Labor Day, Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving

K.4 Children and adults have rights and responsibilities at home, at school, in the classroom, and in the community. 

K.4a Children have basic universal rights or protections as members of a family, school, community, nation, and the world.  Students will identify basic rights they have (e.g., provision of food, clothing, shelter, and education, and protection from abuse, bullying, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination). 

1.1b People and families of diverse racial, religious, national, and ethnic groups share their beliefs, customs, and traditions, which creates a multicultural community.  Students will identify traditions that are associated with their families, and tell why the tradition is important.

1.1c Awareness of America’s rich diversity fosters intercultural understanding. Students will compare the cultural similarities and differences between various ethnic and cultural groups found in New York State.

1.2 There are significant individuals, historical events, and symbols that are important to American cultural identity.

1.2a The study of historical events, historical figures, and folklore enables Americans with diverse cultural backgrounds to feel connected to a common national heritage. Students will listen to stories about historical events, folklore, and popular historical figures and identify the significance of the event or person. Students will explain when and why celebrate national holidays such as Labor Day, Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Law Day, and Independence Day are celebrated.

1.4 People create governments in order to create peace and establish order. Laws are created to protect the rights and define the responsibilities of individuals and groups. 

1.4a Rules and laws are developed to protect people’s rights and for the safety and welfare of the community.  Students will discuss the difference between rules and laws, and determine why school rules were developed and what the consequences are of not following the rules. 

1.4b Governments exist at the local, state, and national levels to represent the needs of the people, create and enforce laws, and help resolve conflicts.  Students will begin to understand that there are local, state, and national levels of government and will identify some actions that the government takes.

(IL)

SS.H.1.K. Compare life in the past with life today.

SS.H.2.K. Explain the significance of our national holidays and the heroism and achievements of the people associated with them.

SS.H.1.1. Create a chronological sequence of multiple events.

SS.H.2.1. Describe individuals and groups who have shaped a significant historical change.

SS.H.SS.CV. 1.2. Explain what governments are and some of their functions.

SS.EC.1.2. Demonstrate how our choices can affect ourselves and others in positive and negative ways.

SS.H.2.2. Compare individuals and groups who have shaped a significant historical change.

SS.CV.1.3. Describe ways in which interactions among families, workplaces, voluntary organizations, and government benefit communities.

SS.CV.2.3. Explain how groups of people make rules to create responsibilities and protect freedoms.

SS.CV.4.3. Describe how people have tried to improve their communities over time.

SS.H.1.3. Create and use a chronological sequence of events.

SS.H.2.3. Describe how significant people, events, and developments have shaped their own community and region.