| Dream Deep: MLK Jr. Day Deep-Dive |
Activity One – KICKOFF: “I Have a Dream”
Objective: Deepen personal connection to MLK’s vision by actively listening and capturing the most emotionally powerful words and images from the speech in real time.
You need:
- Sketchbook
Activity:
When the speech ends read and show your words/sketches out loud.
Watch and listen to the “I Have a Dream” speech.
Every time MLK says something that hits you hard, immediately write/draw one powerful word, phrase, quick sketch on your paper.
Activity Two – “Civil Rights Landmark Atlas Project”
Objective: Build geographic and historical understanding by accurately mapping key Civil Rights events, explaining their significance, and connecting them to the present-day location (distance from home).
You need:
- A large printable or drawn U.S. map
- Colored markers or pens, ruler
- Short research list of 10 key locations
Activity:
- Pick 5 locations from the list (you can certainly do more). For each one:
- Locate it precisely on the map
- Write 2–3 concise sentences explaining the event and why it mattered historically/politically
- Mark approximate driving distance from Home
Key locations to choose from:
- Montgomery, AL (Bus Boycott)
- Birmingham, AL (Project C / Children’s Crusade)
- Selma, AL (Bloody Sunday / Voting Rights Act)
- Atlanta, GA (Ebenezer Baptist / MLK birthplace)
- Washington, D.C. (1963 March)
- Memphis, TN (Lorraine Motel / final speech)
- Jackson, MS (Freedom Rides)
- Chicago, IL (Open Housing / northern resistance)
- Albany, GA (Albany Movement)
- St. Augustine, FL (desegregation wade-ins)
Activity Three – “Modern Dream Poster”
Objective: Creatively interpret and apply one of MLK’s most powerful messages to a contemporary political or social issue through thoughtful design and written reflection.
You need:
- Large art paper
- Selection of art materials
Activity:
- Create one large poster
- Choose one powerful MLK quote from the speech notes
- Design it in a vintage civil rights poster style (bold letters, strong symbols like a bridge, broken chains, rising sun, or raised hands)
- Add a short sentence or two on the back explaining:
- The political/social issue it speaks to
- How the issue is in today’s society
Examples (other activists):
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Activity Four (Extension) – “Freedom Playlist Battle”
Objective: Explore the role of music in the Civil Rights Movement and today by curating a meaningful playlist of freedom/justice songs and articulating why each track carries the spirit of the struggle.
You need:
- Spotify / youtube/ CDs
Activity:
Playlist War
- Build a Civil Rights/Freedom/Justice playlist
- Be prepared to explain your choices
You might choose from these or find your own:
- Mahalia Jackson – “How I Got Over”
- Curtis Mayfield – “People Get Ready”
- Nina Simone – “Mississippi Goddam” / “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”
- Public Enemy – “Fight the Power”
- Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
- John Legend – “Glory” (Selma soundtrack)
- The Impressions – “We’re a Winner”
Activity Five – Dream Deep Trivia Challenge
You can research the answers.
- In the “I Have a Dream” speech, what famous American document does MLK reference first when he says it was a “promissory note” to which America defaulted?
- Name the three states MLK specifically mentions in the speech when describing the dream of little Black boys and girls joining hands with little white boys and girls as sisters and brothers.
- What biblical prophet does MLK quote near the end when he says, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream”?
- What is the exact year and location where MLK delivered the full “I Have a Dream” speech?
- On which bridge in Selma, Alabama did “Bloody Sunday” occur in 1965, a key event leading to the Voting Rights Act?
- In which city did the Montgomery Bus Boycott begin after Rosa Parks’ arrest, and what year?
- Name the Memphis, Tennessee motel where MLK was assassinated in 1968.
- Which northern city did MLK march in for open housing in 1966, facing significant resistance?
- Which Georgia city is home to both MLK’s birthplace and Ebenezer Baptist Church?
- What major piece of legislation was signed into law in 1964 partly because of the pressure from the Birmingham Campaign and the March on Washington?
- What was the main goal of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches?
- Name one key difference between the strategies of nonviolent direct action (like MLK’s) and more militant approaches during the Civil Rights Movement.
- What 1963 event brought over 250,000 people to Washington, D.C., where MLK delivered his famous speech
- Name one famous gospel singer who performed before MLK at the March on Washington and influenced the emotional power of the day.
- Which soul singer’s song “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1964) became an unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement?
Dream Deep Rubric
| Criterion | 1 – Needs Work | 2 – Developing | 3 – Solid / Good Effort | 4 – Excellent / Outstanding |
| Activity One – KICKOFF: “I Have a Dream” | Few or no words/sketches captured during the speech. | Some words/phrases/sketches captured. | Good number of powerful words/phrases/sketches captured in real time. | Many impactful words/phrases/sketches captured throughout. |
| Activity Two – Civil Rights Landmark Atlas Project | Few locations placed; explanations very short, inaccurate, or missing; no distances or modern connections. | Some locations placed accurately; basic explanations (1–2 sentences); distances approximate; few modern connections. | All 5 locations placed accurately; clear 2–3 sentence explanations; realistic distances marked; some thoughtful modern connections. | All 5 locations precisely placed; excellent, concise, and insightful explanations; accurate distances; strong, relevant modern connections. |
| Activity Three – Modern Dream Poster | Poster very basic or unfinished; weak or no quote; little to no symbols; explanation missing or unclear. | Poster has some effort; quote chosen but design simple; basic symbols; explanation short or not fully connected to today. | Poster visually strong with bold lettering and meaningful symbols; powerful quote chosen; clear explanation on back linking to a current issue. | Outstanding vintage civil rights style; striking design with powerful symbols; impactful quote; insightful, well-written explanation connecting deeply to 2026 issues. |
| Activity Four (Extension) – Freedom Playlist Battle | Playlist very short or unrelated songs; little to no explanation of choices. | 3–5 songs chosen; basic explanations; some connection to Civil Rights theme. | Thoughtful 5-song playlist; clear explanations for each song’s meaning and relevance to past/present struggle. | Carefully curated, meaningful 5-song playlist; excellent, detailed explanations showing deep understanding of music’s role in justice movements (past & present). |
| Overall Participation | Minimal effort; distracted often; little collaboration or task completion. | Participated in most parts but with inconsistent focus or effort. | Actively contributed to every activity; stayed focused and collaborated well. | Full, enthusiastic participation in all parts; excellent focus, collaboration, and pride in completing everything. |