Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, January 19th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the Unites States and marks the birthday of the civil rights icon. The holiday serves to honor the legacy of King; civil rights and the use of nonviolence to promote change. Explore titles and resources about King and other civil rights heroes.

• Give students a preview with this video book trailer for Love is Loud, then enjoy this complete video book reading to ponder how love can be a tool for change. Find additional questions and extension activities in this curriculum guide.

• Inspire readers with this complete video reading of Justice Rising: 12 Amazing Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement. Have students each select one of the women from the book and create a poster to display in the classroom.

• Learn about Coretta Scott King’s early life in this audio excerpt from the book Coretta Scott King (She Persisted), then research her adult life and her work that contributed to the civil rights movement. Use ideas from this educator guide as discussion or writing prompts to ponder civil rights, activism, and the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr..

• Watch the video book trailer for The Teachers March! and use the shoe handout found in this educator's guide to help students reflect on and write about issues important to them. You can cut out the shoes and display them around your classroom for a visual inspiration of the spirit of marching for justice.

• Listen to John Lewis talk about leading the march from Selma for the right to vote in this Meet-the-Author Recording for March Book One. Then work with students to brainstorm ways they can be an "upstander" and not just a "bystander" in their school or community. Finish by creating “Upstander Posters” as found in this activity guide.

• Hear illustrator Tonya Engel talk about Claudette Colvin in this Meet-the-Illustrator Recording for Because Claudette. Claudette was only 15 when she made such a big difference in history. Do students know of other young people who have made a difference? How might they themselves make a difference in their communities?

• Reflect on how words make people feel after listening to the Meet-the-Illustrator Recording with Bryan Collier and the audiobook excerpt for Martin's Big Words. Then think about what words Dr. King is remembered for (such as peace, dream, etc.).

• Explore this curated list of Books for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

• See Andrea Davis Pinkney read some of her poems from Martin Rising: Requiem for a King in this video book reading, then have students write their own poems about hope, either what it means for them or what they hope for.

• Share this complete video reading of Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? to help young readers learn about his life and work, and follow with this drawing prompt.

• Consider together the power of nonviolence and the struggles of some nonviolent activists with this audio excerpt for We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World. To go further, encourage students to research champions of nonviolence and present their findings to the class.