MLK Jr. Facts
What day is MLK Jr Day this year (2026)? (use a calendar if you need to)
Monday, January 19
Name two things a good speaker does when talking to others.
Looks at listener / uses a clear voice / takes turns
How does showing kindness and using kind words help solve problems?
It keeps things calm and respectful
Standing up for somebody
Helping or defending someone respectfully
You're bad at this
This is tricky, do you want some help?
Why do we celebrate in January?
MLK Jr.'s birthday is in January
Dr. King spoke calmly even when others were upset. What are some ways you can stay calm when you or others or upset?
Take deep breaths. Take a break. Do something you enjoy.
What are some ways you can be kind and respectful at school?
helping others
treating teachers, peers, and yourself with kindness
Listen to what others have to say
Speak from the heart
Stop talking so much
Can I have a turn to speak?
Why do we celebrate?
To honor Dr. King’s work for equality, justice, and civil rights
You are sharing an idea in class, but your friend starts talking before you finish. How might you feel if this happens? What can you do? What shouldn't you do?
Feel: Upset, hurt, annoyed, frustrated
Do: Calmly and politely ask your friend to let you finish your thought. Listen to your friend next time they are sharing
Shouldn't: yell at your friend, storm out, never share an idea in class again
A peer makes a mistake during a game and everyone laughs. How might they feel? What would Dr. King encourage you to do?
Feel: hurt, excluded
Do: "it's okay, we all make mistakes", explain the rules of the game to them
Hold your tongue
Stop yourself from saying something unkind
You are having trouble with a math problem and say "This is stupid"
Can I have some help with this?
How do people celebrate?
Service projects, learning about civil rights, helping others
You feel excited and talk very fast during a group discussion. People ask you to repeat yourself. How might you feel if this happens? What can you do? What shouldn't you do?
Feel: Frustrated that you have to keep repeating yourself
Do: Let people know you are just excited, thank group for being patient, Take a breath before speaking, speak slower/louder, write down your thoughts before sharing
Shouldn't Do: never share in group discussion again, storm out
A classmate says something unkind because they are feeling upset. How can you show them kindness? Why might showing them kindness help?
Ask if they want to talk or play a game with you. Offer them a strategy that helps you calm down.
Showing kindness can brighten someones day; helps people feel they are not alone
Have a way with words
To be good at speaking
What was MLK Jr.'s most famous speech called?
I Have a Dream
You start talking to one of you friends but they don't look at you or respond. What are some reasons why they are doing this?
How might you feel if this happens? What can you do? What shouldn't you do?
Don't hear you, focused on something else, dont feel like talking
Speak up
Speak louder and clearer