Lesson Plan - King’s Dream

Watch the Video
Watch the video “Dr. King: A Leader and a Hero” as a class. Then discuss: How did King work to change unfair laws? Why do you think many people consider him a hero?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• protest
• segregation
• justice
• legacy

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about how Martin Luther King Jr. worked to make sure all people were treated fairly.

1. What was the civil rights movement? What part did Martin Luther King Jr. play in it?
The civil rights movement was the struggle during the 1950s and 1960s to gain equal rights for Black Americans. King was one of the leaders of the movement. The article explains, “King led peaceful marches and gave powerful speeches to try to bring about change.”
^{(RI.3.1 Text Evidence)}

2. Summarize the section “Unfair Laws.”
The section “Unfair Laws” is about how Black people were treated unfairly in many parts of the U.S. during King’s lifetime. Black people could not eat in the same restaurants, go to the same schools, or be treated at the same hospitals as White people. Some laws kept Black people from voting, and many businesses would not hire Black workers.
^{(RI.3.2 Summarizing)}

3. According to the sidebar “Honoring King’s Dream,” how are kids in Pomona Unified School District in California helping to make King’s dream real?
According to the sidebar, kids in Pomona Unified School District in California are helping to make King’s dream real by doing thousands of hours of community service, like writing notes to health care workers and collecting items for people in need.
^{(RI.3.5 Text Features)}

FEATURED SKILL: Writing
Distribute the skill builder “Dare to Dream” and discuss the excerpt from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Invite students to describe their own dreams for the future.
^{(W.3.2 Informative Writing)}