Alief ISD
Social Studies Lesson Plans
Kindergarten
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Date: _______________
Desired Results: (Unit
Understanding)
People and events from the past
have influenced change in our
community.
Time Allotted: _______________
Unit Question:
How would our lives be
different without the
contributions of Martin Luther
King, Jr.?
Assessment:
Objective/TEKS:
Anticipatory Set: (Hook) (Universal Generalization) We celebrate people and
events that are important to us.
Ask students, “Have you ever had a friend be mean or unfair to you?”
Allow students time to think, turn and talk.
Ask a few students to share their experiences and how it made them feel.
Instructional Input: (Line) Modeled/Guided Practice
Read aloud a picture book, poem or other information source about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Focus on MLK’s belief of equality for everyone and always focusing on peaceful resolutions.
List facts about MLK on chart people. Ask students if they agree or disagree by using “thumbs
up/thumbs down”.
FACTS:
1. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a famous African American leader.
2. He became a civil rights leader. He believed in non-violence, and peaceful solutions to problems.
3. January 15th is a national holiday to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a day to think of
justice, equality and peace in the world.
Using the attached pages, the students and teacher will create a class big book:
Teacher will enlarge each page and read it page to the students.
Students will work in small groups. Each group will be given a page to color for the big book.
Teacher will bind the pages together as a book and place in class library.
Independent Practice: (Sinker)
Students will create a display from a “Handshake” activity.
Directions:
1. Students will trace their hand on two different shades of skin toned construction paper.
(multicultural)
2. Students will cut out both hands.
3. Students will trace the cuff pattern on white construction paper and cut out the cuffs.
4. Glue cuffs to the wrists of both hands.
5. Place hands together to form a handshake.
6. Use fasteners to hold hands together.
7. On the back of hands, have each student write one reason why people shake hands.
Modifications/Extensions:
Handshake Activity: Students create only one hand and glue it to other students to create the
handshake. Teacher may choose to trace or cut the cuffs out ahead of time.
Other Ideas:
 Role-play how to solve conflicts peacefully.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Topics:
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Vocabulary:
equality
peace
justice
Materials/Resources:
Handshake Activity:
- cuff patterns
- multicultural
construction paper
- white construction paper
- scissors
- glue
- round head fasteners
How will you check
for understanding?
Alief ISD




Designate a student to be the class “peace-maker” to help solve conflicts.
Create an acoustic poem, using the word “PEACE”.
Invite a police officer to visit the class and discuss his/her involvement in peacemaking.
Read a short biography about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and find out how his birthday
became a national holiday.
Closure:
Ask students to name at least one way that MLK influenced change in our country.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Alief ISD
Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day
I have a
dream
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Alief ISD
I have a
dream
This is Martin Luther King, Jr.
He is a famous African American.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Alief ISD
He dreamed of a peaceful world.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Alief ISD
He shared his dream with many people.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Alief ISD
“I have a dream…”, is what he said.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Alief ISD
Martin Luther King, Jr. died fighting for
equality.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Alief ISD
He is remembered for his dream of equality,
justice, and peace.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12
Alief ISD
His dream still lives on today.
Kindergarten
MLK Day
Resource: Celebrate the Holidays. Teacher Created Resources, pp.8-12