WXXI Education staff collected resources from PBS to support educators and families while learning about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is a list of curated educational resources for educators and families to use with their students and children. These resources are not to be used alone, but instead to integrate with other educational materials (conversations, lessons, speeches, video clips, books, etc.) to provide students with the most context and meaningful knowledge.
Please note:
- These resources are free and open for all to use.
- This is not an exhaustive list of resources.
- These educational materials are to be used in conjunction with other resources, conversations, and instruction to provide the most complete context for students.
- These resources are appropriate for middle and high school students, unless otherwise noted.
- As with all educational materials, please preview these resources prior to utilizing with students to check for appropriateness.
Lessons, Video Clips, & Activities from PBS LearningMedia (for grades 6-12):
- The Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Historians reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his role in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Leader: In the second half of the 20th century, racial tensions rose in the US as African Americans began to challenge unjust laws that supported discrimination and segregation. This movement found its leader in the patient and inspiring minister, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students will watch a short video and engage in two primary source activities in order to explore how King’s deep-seated commitment to nonviolence contributed to the expansion of social justice in the United States, particularly for African Americans.
- Excerpts from the March on Washington – Part 1-3
- Part 1: The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech dominates popular history of the August 1963 March on Washington, but the day was full of speakers and performers. This audio compilation captures the voices of A. Philip Randolph, Ralph Abernathy, Roy Wilkins, Walter Reuther, Ralph Bunche, and Daisy Bates.
- Part 2: At the 1963 March on Washington, civil rights leaders offered a “Tribute to Women,” which recognized the leadership roles of women in the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the widows of civil rights leaders who were murdered for their activism. This recording pays tribute to Rosa Parks, Daisy Bates, Diane Nash, Mrs. Herbert Lee, Mrs. Medgar Evers, and Gloria Richardson.
- Road to Memphis – Dr. King Launches the Poor People’s Campaign: In 1968, Martin Luther King launched the Poor People’s Campaign to bring people together across racial lines to fight systemic poverty. Video from, American Experience: “Roads to Memphis.”
- Freedom Summer: Civil Rights Workers Disappear: The disappearance of civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner occurred on June 21, at the very beginning of what became known as “Freedom Summer,” as seen in this video from American Experience: “1964.” Although their bodies were not found until August, the resulting media attention increased national awareness of the violence and injustices facing blacks every day in Mississippi and the white volunteers who had come to join in the fight. This resource is part of the American Experience Collection.
- The Place, The March, the Movement Hear the story of the March on Frankfort, Kentucky from the people who were there. This video includes interviews with 10 participants in the march, reflecting on the appearance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to deliver a speech and the impact of the movement. This resource includes background reading and activities.
- Students Reflect on “I Have a Dream” Speech: Hear students’ thoughts on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and examine the state of equality in the U.S. with videos from Student Reporting Labs and a discussion guide.