Celebrating MLK, Jr.

Overview

This engaging 20-minute English Language Arts (ELA) lesson provides first graders an opportunity to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through an interactive board game activity using task cards. The activity focuses on comprehension and age-appropriate vocabulary while furthering social-emotional learning and civic awareness.

Curriculum Area: ELA-Literacy, Speaking and Listening (SL.K.2, SL.1.1)
Standard: Grade 1 (US Common Core Standards)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand key facts about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his contributions.
• Practice listening, comprehension, and speaking skills through group discussion.
• Learn about kindness, fairness, and equality through age-appropriate themes.

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Materials Needed

• 25 game boards (1 per student to share in small groups)
• 20 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. task cards (provided below)
• Game tokens for each group of students
• Dice

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Preparation

1. Print and cut out the 20 task cards provided below. Laminate them if possible for durability.
2. Arrange desks or tables into 5 small groups, with 5 students per group.
3. Place a game board, tokens, dice, and shuffled task cards at each table.
4. Briefly introduce the lesson with a story or picture book about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (prior knowledge is ideal but not required).

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Procedure

1. Warm-Up Discussion (3-5 Minutes)

• Begin with a simple question: “Have you ever had to wait your turn or share something with someone else? How did it feel?”
• Discuss how being kind and fair helps everyone feel included.
• Briefly explain who Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was (a leader who worked so that everyone could be treated fairly, no matter their skin color).

Key Vocabulary Words:

• Fair, Kind, Equality, Respect, Peace

2. Game Introduction (2 Minutes)

• Explain the board game: students will roll the dice, move their token, and draw a task card to complete an activity. Each card will cover something important about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Example Instructions to Students:
  "As you play, you'll learn fun facts about Dr. King and do activities about how we treat others kindly and fairly. Take turns rolling the dice, and move a token for your team. When you land on a space, pick a task card and follow what it says—maybe you'll answer a question, act something out, or share an idea!"

3. Play the Board Game (10 Minutes)

• Students play in their small groups using the task cards below. Teachers circulate to listen, help, and encourage students.

4. Wrap-Up Reflection (3-5 Minutes)

• Ask students to share one thing they learned about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the game.
• Reinforce key themes: kindness, fairness, and treating everyone equally.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Cards (20 Cards)

Fact Cards (8 Cards)

1. Dr. King gave a famous speech called “I Have a Dream.”
2. Dr. King believed everyone should be treated the same.
3. Dr. King wanted people of all colors to live peacefully together.
4. Dr. King helped change unfair rules in America.
5. Dr. King taught people to solve problems without fighting.
6. Dr. King won a big award called the Nobel Peace Prize.
7. Dr. King helped lead marches where people walked for fairness.
8. Dr. King’s birthday is a national holiday in January!

Question Cards (6 Cards)

9. Why do you think being kind is important?
10. What does the word “fair” mean to you?
11. How do you think Dr. King wanted people to show kindness to each other?
12. What do you think Dr. King dreamed about in his speech?
13. How would you feel if someone didn’t let you play, just because of how you looked?
14. Can you name something kind you can do for a friend today?

Action Cards (6 Cards)

15. Stand up, hold hands with your group, and say “We are all friends!”
16. Pretend you are marching for something fair.
17. Act out “sharing” with a friend.
18. Give a pretend speech about being kind. Start with, “I have a dream...”
19. Draw a big heart with your hands in the air to show love for others!
20. Clap your hands to celebrate Dr. King’s dream.

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Differentiation Tips

• For Advanced Learners: Add an optional "extra facts" pile with more detailed tasks about Dr. King's life (e.g., his life as a pastor, other peaceful leaders he admired).
• For Struggling Readers: Pair them with reading buddies, and allow peer support for card activities. Read cards aloud as needed.
• For Diverse Learners: Use visuals like pictures of Dr. King, marchers, and the Nobel Peace Prize to support comprehension.

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Assessment

• Observe students’ participation during the activity. Are they sharing ideas and working cooperatively?
• Use their responses in the wrap-up discussion to gauge comprehension and understanding of key concepts.

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Extension Idea

In a follow-up activity, have students draw a picture of their own dream for peace and kindness. Write a sentence together to go with their drawing (e.g., “My dream is that everyone is nice to each other”).

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Teachers will love this interactive and thoughtful spin on teaching Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy while building literacy and social-emotional skills. This activity sparks curiosity, engaging young minds at just the right level.