Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr Day

Martin Luther King Jr Day is about celebrating the life and achievements of Dr. King. This day can also be a time to talk with children about working to get along with all kinds of people. However, it can often be difficult to address the topics of racism and prejudice with young children in a way that is meaningful yet easily understood. These are some of my favorite activities for celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Day in the classroom.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr Day

Bag Activity
For this activity you will need one plain brown lunch bag and one decorative gift bag. Gather duplicates of items from the classroom or resource room: block, penny, pencil, and so forth. Place a set of objects in each bag. Display the bags in front of the class and ask the children if the bags are the same or different. Talk about which bag the children may want to receive. Next, open a bag in front of the class. Remove each item from the bag and place on the floor in front of that bag. Repeat with the other bag. The students will see that both bags, although different on the outside both contained the very same things inside. This could lead to a great discussion about how people are all different on the outside, but the same on the inside.

Egg Activity
You will need one raw brown egg, one raw white egg, and a bowl for this activity. (If available, show a speckled egg or eggs with other shell colors.) Gather your students in a circle and invite them to examine the eggs. Ask the students if they think the eggs are the same or different inside. List responses on a large piece of paper. “Inside the white egg is …” and “Inside the brown egg is…” After responses, crack the eggs into the bowl. Pass the bowl around so the students can see the yolks are exactly the same. Stress that the eggs are the same on the inside even though they look different on the outside.

Martin Luther King Art Activity

I Have a Dream Cloud
Materials: crayons, white construction paper, scissors, glue
Tell your class that a famous speech by Dr. King is the I Have a Dream speech. Discuss with your class that Dr. King had a dream; his dream was for all people to get along and work together. Discuss with your class ways that people can get along and work together. Invite your students to draw on the white construction paper with crayons and illustrate working together and making the world a better place. Cut these masterpieces out with scissors in a cloud shape and make a wall display. Or hang the clouds from the ceiling so the they will appear to be floating above you.

4 Books About Dr. King

Martin Luther King Jr. {Welcome Books] by Pam Walker

Books with real photographs are important because young children sometimes think that something is pretend when they see an illustration and “real” when they see a photograph.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day {Our Country’s Holidays} by Sheri Dean

My First Biography: Martin Luther King Jr. by Marion Dane Bauer

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

Here are the questions I am asked most often about this holiday:

How do you handle his violent death?
I don’t believe mentioning a violent act such as this is appropriate for young children, they may become scared. After all, the holiday is about celebrating his life and his achievements. Instead I focus on the simple message of kindness and friendship that they can easily relate to.

What do you do if the children already know how he died and they bring it up?
I say something reassuring because guns and violence can be scary for young children. Something along the lines of “Yes, that happened a long time ago and it was very sad. Let’s remember Dr. King and all the good things he did for us.” Then I move on to a discussion of those good things.

Tip
Make sure to preview any book you are planning to read aloud for the mention of his death and how it is addressed.

Facts About Martin Luther King Day

• The federal holiday honoring Dr. King is the third Monday is January.
• This date was chosen because Martin Luther King’s birthday is January 15.
• Dr. King was a civil rights leader and wanted equal treatment for all people.
• United States President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to make MLK Day a national holiday.

More Martin Luther King Day Ideas:

Picture Books About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for Kids
Ideas for Learning About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr Bulletin Board