Differentiated Lessons on Martin Luther King, Jr. for Grades 9-12

Use these argumentative writing prompts to teach high school students about the civil rights movement.

Teach your students about Dr. King’s legacy with these lessons about his impact on the civil rights movement. Each lesson is differentiated and pairs with an academic writing prompt as well.

Differentiated Lessons on Martin Luther King, Jr. for Grades 9-12

Timely Leader (FREE LESSON)

• Writing prompt: What made Martin Luther King Jr. an American hero?
• CCSS.CCRA.R.5

Massive Nonviolence (FREE LESSON)

• Writing prompt: How did nonviolent protests in Birmingham affect the civil rights movement?
• CCSS.CCRA.R.1

The Selma-to-Montgomery Marches

This lesson includes teaching resources and supports for developing bilingual students.

• Writing prompt: How did the Selma-to-Montgomery marches contribute to the fight for voting rights?
• CCSS.RH.9-10.3, CCSS.WHST.9-10.1

The Memphis Sanitation Strike

This lesson includes teaching resources and supports for developing bilingual students.

• Writing prompt: How did the sanitation strike of 1968 change history?
• >CCSS.CCRA.R.7, CCSS.W.9-10.1