This MLK writing activity is a powerful way to help students connect history to writing while exploring Martin Luther King Jr.’s inspiring legacy.
Every January, I find myself reflecting on how to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day meaningful for my students while tying it to critical skills they need to develop.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a teacher is helping students connect history to their own learning—especially when it comes to writing.
When I first started teaching text evidence writing, I noticed that many of my students struggled to organize their thoughts, cite evidence, and explain their reasoning.
They’d list facts but miss the deeper connection to the prompt. I wanted a way to combine the importance of Dr. King’s legacy with the writing skills my students needed to master.
That’s when I created this MLK writing activity focusing on helping my students practice writing using text evidence.
It’s designed to help students answer the question, “What kind of person was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. based on his thoughts and actions?” while reinforcing writing skills like using text evidence, elaborating, and revising.
In this post, I’ll share why this lesson matters and how you can easily implement it in your classroom.
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Why This MLK Writing Activity Matters
Teaching students about Martin Luther King Jr. isn’t just about learning history—it’s about understanding the values of kindness, courage, and standing up for what’s right.
This writing activity helps students think critically about Dr. King’s character and legacy while giving them practice to include text evidence in their writing responses.
Writing is one of those skills that students need in every subject, and the ability to support their ideas with evidence is essential.
This lesson combines reading, writing, and social studies in a way that makes learning meaningful and purposeful.
Plus, it gives students the opportunity to reflect on the qualities that made Dr. King a leader—and how they can apply those values in their own lives.
Breaking Down the MLK Writing Activity
Here’s how I implement the MLK writing activity step by step in my classroom.
Build Background Knowledge
Before diving into the writing, I make sure my students have a solid understanding of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and accomplishments.
We read paired passages included in this activity, but I also show short videos or read picture books about his life.
Check out this post for a list of MLK books and resources to build background knowledge!
This step is key because it sets the foundation for their writing.
It also helps level the playing field for students who may not know much about Dr. King.
Introduce the Writing Prompt
I introduce the question: “What kind of person was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. based on his thoughts and actions?”
We discuss the prompt as a class, breaking it down into smaller parts so students understand what’s being asked.
I use this time to model how to highlight key details in the passages that will help answer the question.
MLK Writing Activity Graphic Organizers to Plan
One thing I have learned is that planning is everything when it comes to teaching text evidence writing.
I provide my students with graphic organizers to jot down notes and organize their thoughts.
We start by pulling evidence directly from the text and grouping it into categories—like “courage” or “kindness.”
Then, we talk about how to elaborate on that evidence by explaining what it shows about Dr. King’s character.
The graphic organizers included in this activity make it easy for students to stay on track and feel confident about their response.
Support Students with Sentence Starters
For students who need extra support, I use the guided sentence starters included in the resource.
This tool is a great help for kids who struggle to get started or feel overwhelmed by writing.
Here’s an example:
- Text Evidence: “Dr. King said that ‘love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.'”
- Elaboration: “This shows that Dr. King believed in solving conflicts peacefully and treating others with kindness.”
The sentence starters help students structure their responses, and before long, they gain the confidence to write independently.
Peer Feedback for the MLK Writing Activity
Once students complete their drafts, we begin revising and editing.
I pair students up to use the peer editing checklist provided in the MLK writing activity packet.
This activity helps them learn how to give constructive feedback and check their own work for improvements.
I also encourage students to use the emoji writing checklist—it’s a fun way for them to track their progress and ensure they’ve included all the necessary elements in their responses.
Publishing and Displaying the MLK Writing Activity
When the writing response is complete, I give students the option to publish their work on writing sheets included in the resource.
The MLK-themed templates add a special touch, and the bulletin board header makes it easy to create a class display.
My students love seeing their work up in the classroom, and it reinforces the importance of their effort.
For early finishers, there are fun coloring pages and a word search to keep them engaged.
Why This MLK Writing Activity Works
Teaching text evidence writing focusing on Martin Luther King Jr. is a powerful way to combine meaningful learning with essential writing skills.
It combines history with essential writing practice, helping students build skills like citing evidence, organizing ideas, and revising their work.
It is perfect for 4th and 5th graders, blending rigorous standards with an engaging and meaningful topic.
Your students will learn about Dr. King’s legacy and develop their ability to analyze text, organize their thoughts, and express their ideas clearly.
Ready to dive into this meaningful MLK writing activity? Find everything you need to make this lesson a success in my TPT store.
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Love these ideas? Save this MLK writing activity to your Pinterest board so you can return to it whenever you are ready to teach this lesson.
Check Out Other MLK Writing Activities
- Writing Bio Poems to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.
- Big Kids Activities and Resources for MLK Day
- Teaching Diversity Through Picture Books: Booker T. Washington
- Practical Strategies for Teaching Elaboration and Adding Detail in Writing
- How to Explain Text Evidence to Boost Writing Skills in 4th Grade: A Writing Strategy
