• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Exploring MLK's Leadership Qualities

user image

Tyler Norden

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Exploring MLK's Leadership Qualities

Understand empathy and courage in leadership

This lesson focuses on exploring Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership qualities, specifically empathy and courage. Students will analyze excerpts from his speeches, engage in discussions, and reflect on how they can apply these traits in their own lives. This lesson is important as it helps students understand the impact of empathy and courage in leadership and encourages them to embody these traits.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Understand empathy and courage in leadership

Materials

Excerpts from MLK's Speeches, and Reflection Prompts

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

  • Introduce Martin Luther King Jr. and his role in the civil rights movement.
  • Explain the significance of empathy and courage in his leadership.

Step 2

Exploration

15 mins

  • Read and analyze excerpts from MLK's speeches that highlight empathy and courage.
  • Discuss how these traits were crucial in his efforts to promote civil rights.

Step 3

Discussion

15 mins

  • Engage students in a discussion about specific examples of empathy and courage in MLK's life.
  • Encourage students to share their thoughts on how these traits influenced his leadership.

Step 4

Reflection Activity

15 mins

  • Have students write a reflection on how they can apply empathy and courage in their own lives.
  • Provide prompts to guide their reflections, such as "Describe a situation where you showed empathy" or "How can you demonstrate courage in your daily life?"

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

  • Summarize the key points and encourage students to practice these traits.
lenny

Reading

Excerpts from MLK's Speeches

This reading includes selected excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches that highlight his use of empathy and courage.

Excerpt 1: Empathy

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

Excerpt 2: Courage

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Reflection Prompts

These prompts guide students in reflecting on how they can apply empathy and courage in their own lives.

Describe a situation where you showed empathy.

Think about a time when you understood and shared someone else's feelings.







How can you demonstrate courage in your daily life?

Consider actions you can take to stand up for what is right, even when it's difficult.







lenny
lenny