Introduction

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Students will examine why the speech was a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement and explain their analysis through a visual drawing or illustration.

Subjects

English, social studies, government, civics

Estimated time

One 50-minute class

Grade level

6-8

Warm-up activity

• Watch on History’s Vimeo channel: “Bet You Didn’t Know — March on Washington.” Give students the "I Have a Dream" fact page to gauge their knowledge about the speech.
• Once they have finished answering the questions go back and read the correct answers to them from the answer key.

Main activity

“I Have a Dream” speech

Hand out a copy of the “I Have a Dream” speech to each student in class. Tell them to follow along as they listen to Martin Luther King Jr. give his famous speech and try to picture the rich imagery from his words in their head. To listen to the speech click here.

After the speech is over give students the following assignment:

Your Task:

• Select your favorite phrase or line as your title…THEN illustrate it!
• Use color, creativity, design…try to express what that phrase means or why it is so powerful or important.
• Use of technology and digital work are encouraged.
• Be prepared to explain it to your teacher or classmates.

The lesson was originally published in 2013, and was updated June 3, 2026.

Written by Tina Yalen, NBCT, Early Adolescence: Social Studies/History, in 2016.

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