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"I Have a Dream" – Learning About Martin Luther King Jr.

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"I Have a Dream" – Learning About Martin Luther King Jr.

Activity Description

Learning about Martin Luther King, Jr.

Students will analyze census data and graphs that demonstrate how certain aspects of the lives of African-Americans have changed since civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. Students will select a fact from these data, facts from other sources, and a historical photograph to include on a poster about King.

Suggested Grade Level

4-5

Approximate Time Required

60-120 minutes

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to understand changes in population, voting rates, and education levels of African-Americans since the early 1960s, around the time Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.
  • Students will be able to select facts and a photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. to display on a poster.
  • Students will be able to share what they learned orally with a partner or small group.

Materials Required

  • The student version of this activity, 12 pages, which contains some images that should be printed in color
  • Colored pencils and/or markers
  • Construction paper or poster board
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Sticky notes
  • Additional photos of Martin Luther King Jr. and a projector to show online resources to the class are optional.

Activity Items

The following items are a part of this activity.

  • Estimated African-American Population in the United States
  • African-American Voting Rates in Presidential Elections
  • Percentage of African-American Adults Who Graduated From High School
  • Percentage of African-American Adults Who Graduated From College
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day Infographic
  • Photos of Martin Luther King Jr.

Download Teacher Version
Download Student Version

Additional Resources

Teacher Notes

Blooms Taxonomy

Applying
Blooms Taxonomy

Students will recall and learn important facts about Martin Luther King Jr. and will apply this knowledge to
create a poster.

Subject

Elementary School History

Topics

  • Civil rights movement
  • Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Population

Skills Taught

  • Analyzing change over time
  • Drawing conclusions
  • Reading bar graphs
Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021
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