The Story of a Speech Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify the importance of Dr. King’s speech.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, character traits

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a map

 

Vocabulary:

segregation, marches, speeches, inspired

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.3 describe historical events; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 use text features; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.1 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level:

540L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Dr. King: A Leader and a Hero.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one reason Dr. King was a hero?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. What do students already know about Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why Dr. King’s speech was so important.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Review vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are segregation, marches, speeches, and inspired.

Assessment: Reading Quiz

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • The “Design a Poster” game lets students review text features as they create a digital poster in honor of Dr. King. They can even print it out.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words segregation, marches, speeches, and inspired.

Editor’s Pick: Character Traits (15 min.)

ELA Focus: Red a Timeline (15 min.)

  • Students will analyze a graphic organizer and identify significant events in Dr. King’s life with the Dr. King Timeline skill sheet.

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

  • “A Beloved Community,” January 2022. Students will identify the attributes of Dr. King’s beloved community.
  • “We’re in This Together,” January 2021. This issue explores peaceful protests and how they work, both in Dr. King’s time and today.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 630L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 460L