Guest blog post by Corporate Communications intern Amanda Livingston
“I have decided to stick with love," said Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. "Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a minister and social activist. The youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at 35 years old, King lead the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s— speaking out against institutionalized racism and segregation through nonviolent protesting.
April 4th marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, assassination. In today’s day and age what King preached and believed in is especially relevant, so we’ve collected some titles and resources for you, your kids, and your students to commemorate Dr. King and his legacy:
Books to Read:
Martin Rising by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Andrea and Brian Pinkney cover the last few months of Dr. King’s life through poetic lyricism and beautiful imagery.
I Am #4: Martin Luther King, Jr. by Grace Norwich
A part of Scholastic’s biography series, I Am #4: Martin Luther King, Jr. tells the story of King’s inspired accomplishments, as well as the top 10 things you need to know about him.
Chasing King's Killer: The Hunt for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Assassin by James L. Swanson
Taking a look at the big picture of King’s legacy, author James L. Swanson then focuses in on James Earl Ray, King’s assassin, and the historical implications of his actions.
Resources to Use:
Download these Martin Luther King, Jr., prints, graphics, and activities
You can incorporate these prints and activities in the classroom.
Here are some Martin Luther King, Jr., quotes you can use to inspire your kids/students in the classroom and real life.
These quotes, taken from King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, are what King believed to be the problems we face as a society, the solutions to these problems, and actions to take in the future regarding these problems.
Read about how other teachers have celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr., in the past.
These teachers share how they’ve talked about King and civil rights in the classroom.
