Free Martin Luther King Jr. Ideas for the Classroom
Martin Luther King Jr.
Although we do study quite a few nonfiction texts in second grade, our biography unit increases the rigor for students. I always model reading and writing a biography by writing one about Martin Luther King, Jr. He is the perfect introduction to this unit.
Below, you will find FREE resources to teach about Martin Luther King Jr. for all elementary grades, as well as links to other biography resources.
One of the resources we use when doing biographies in our room are our Biography QR Codes. I have them available in my store for most of the more famous American Heroes, but the one for Martin Luther King, Jr. is available for FREE.
Are you interested in some QR Codes to jump-start your students Biography Research? Click below for some FREE QR Codes for Martin Luther King Jr.
Build Background Knowledge about Martin Luther King Jr.
Sometimes I simply need to building background knowledge about who Martin Luther King, Jr. was, what he stood for, and the Civil Rights Movement. This anchor chart is perfect for that purpose.
Books about Martin Luther King, Jr.
Below are some awesome books to read on the days leading up to MLK Day. I know that these aren’t exactly free, but they could be if you find them at your library. Most are popular, current books that are probably available at your local library. The below book links are Amazon affiliate links.
Martin Luther King Jr Reading Comprehension Activities Biography Reading Passage
Explore the inspiring life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with this engaging biography resource, featuring a reading passage, comprehension activities, and a mini-report writing task.
Videos about Martin Luther King, Jr.
Here are several videos that I’ve found helpful to show students on the days leading up to the holiday.
Craftvities & Activities For the Primary Elementary Classroom
The Brown Bag Teacher has an awesome post for the primary classroom.
The Primary Punch has an awesome FREE resource on TpT.
For the Middle Elementary Classroom
Elementary Matters has a FREE set of task cards for middle elementary students.
For the Upper Elementary Classroom
For upper elementary, check out this close reading text from Fifth in the Middle.
FREE QR Codes for Martin Luther King Jr.
Are you interested in some QR Codes to jump-start your students Biography Research? Click below for some FREE QR Codes for Martin Luther King Jr.
Biography Report
Are you kicking off your Biography Unit with learning about Martin Luther King Jr.?
Here are a few more resources that will help you and your students have fun learning about different people around the world.
Martin Luther King Jr. Biography
I have biographies on many historical figures, including Martin Luther King Jr.
Students can learn about the civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., through a fun, easy to read
Students can research information about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or writing a biography report on this historical figure.
The biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a great way to combine reading, writing, and social studies.
Martin Luther King Jr Reading Comprehension Activities Biography Reading Passage
Explore the inspiring life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with this engaging biography resource, featuring a reading passage, comprehension activities, and a mini-report writing task.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Biography and Report includes:
- Vocabulary Cards with key terms from the biography reading passage
- Poster of the historical figure in color & black and white
- Reading Passage in two formats (back and white one-page; color with photos two-page)
- QR Codes for additional research of the person
- Graphic Organizer for note-taking and report writing
- Fact Sort where students can categorize the key events and attributes
- Short Answer Comprehension Questions for the biography
- Summary Page
- Report Pages in several formats
Biography Collection
Check out the Biography Collection for many biographies, informational text, lesson plans, and MORE!
How I Organizer our Biography Unit
This blog post goes into detail about how I organize our biography unit, help students learn and find information about different people and how I differentiate it for all learners in my classroom.
Biography Report for ANY Person
This blog post goes into detail about my Biography Report for ANY Person.
Biography Report & Biography Project – Research and Writing Activities (Grades 2–5)
Make biography projects meaningful and engaging with this Biography Report & Research Project for grades 2–5! This flexible resource includes graphic organizers, genre posters, multiple report formats, lapbook templates, trifold reports, and construction paper people so students can research and present any historical figure.
FREE Martin Luther King Jr. QR Codes
Are you interested in some QR Codes to jump-start your students Biography Research? Click below for some FREE QR Codes for Martin Luther King Jr.
I would love QR codes for Martin Luther King
Sure! If you click on the linked photo above, it will be sent to you via email.