Description
Through English Language Arts, this multi-day lesson allows teachers to introduce students to the Civil Rights Movement while exploring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students engage with history through research, rhetorical analysis, and creative expression, making this an ideal interdisciplinary ELA resource.
Across the activities, students research key events of the Civil Rights Movement, collaborate with peers, and present information to the class. Students analyze the rhetoric and message of I Have a Dream, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous speech, while building skills in close reading, author’s purpose, and textual evidence. Academic vocabulary instruction is embedded throughout the lesson to support comprehension and discussion.
This Civil Rights ELA unit also invites students to respond creatively by expressing their understanding through poetry, allowing for both analytical and personal reflection. Students choose from multiple poetry-based response options, encouraging engagement, voice, and differentiated learning.
Teachers are provided with clear instructions for five instructional days, along with structured activities that include jigsaw-style research, graphic organizers, and analysis questions aligned to nonfiction and speech analysis standards. Answer keys are included to support efficient grading and lesson implementation.
Designed to span four to five class periods, this resource is especially effective for Black History Month, civil rights units, or any secondary ELA curriculum focused on history, rhetoric, and social justice. Both PDF and editable Word document versions are included, giving teachers flexibility for digital or print-based instruction.