The article "Martin Luther King’s Dream: The Speech That Changed America" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the origins, message, and legacy of the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Delivered during the 1963 March on Washington, King’s words captured the hopes of the civil rights movement. The article examines the speech’s impact, historical setting, rhetorical power, and enduring relevance today.
This set of Martin Luther King Jr. worksheets contains two versions, so you can use the version that's closest to the grade level you teach or use both based on the individual reading levels of the students in your class. Here's what you'll find:
- Reading Passage: "Martin Luther King Jr.: A Man With a Dream," covering that life and legacy of MLK.
- Version A: Grades 3-5, Lexile Level 700-900L
- Version B: Grades 6-8, Lexile Level 850-1000L
- Glossary: Grade-level appropriate vocabulary and definitions to help students better understand the passage.
- Worksheets: KWL, timeline, and reflection (Version A); important events chart, Venn diagram, "Iconic Influences" response (Version B).
These activities pair with the following videos:
Happy holidays! With so many celebrations all over the globe during this season, it's the perfect time to teach your Grade 3–5 students about winter holidays around the world. Make copies of this mini-book (simply print on both sides flipped on the short edge, stack, and fold to assemble) for your students and invite them to read about each holiday and complete a simple report page full of questions, coloring, drawing, favorite facts, and more. Here are the eight winter holidays covered:
-
Diwali: A Hindu Festival of Lights celebrating the victory of light over darkness, with lamps, fireworks, and family gatherings.
-
St. Lucia Day: A Scandinavian holiday honoring St. Lucia, featuring processions with candles and special buns to bring light during the dark winter.
-
Las Posadas: A Mexican tradition reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, celebrated with processions, songs, and parties.
-
Hanukkah: A Jewish holiday celebrating the miracle of the Temple’s menorah oil lasting eight days, marked with candles, dreidel games, and fried foods.
-
Winter Solstice: The shortest day and longest night of the year, celebrated by many cultures as the return of the sun with feasts and light-themed traditions.
-
Christmas: A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, often marked with gift-giving, decorations, and family gatherings.
-
Kwanzaa: A weeklong African American celebration honoring African heritage and the Seven Principles through candles, reflection, and community activities.
-
Lunar New Year: An Asian cultural holiday welcoming the new year on the lunar calendar, celebrated with family reunions, special foods, and traditions for good luck.
In Obama Takes the National Stage, journalist Clive Myrie covers how Barack Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, a moment that would introduce him to the nation. Watch Obama’s early nerves, growing confidence, and the power of a speech that connected personal stories to broader ideas of freedom and justice. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Obama: His Story, which traces Obama’s extraordinary journey to the presidency and its meaning within the broader African American freedom struggle.
In Obama’s Presidential Victory, journalist Clive Myrie shows Barack Obama’s presidential victory as a historic turning point and the passing of a long-fought baton to a new generation of leadership. Drawing on voices from advisors, supporters, and Rhea McCauley, the niece of Rosa Parks, the video explores themes of dignity, perseverance, hope, and the belief that progress is possible when people reject cynicism and act together. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Obama: His Story, which traces Obama’s extraordinary journey to the presidency and its meaning within the broader African American freedom struggle.
In Nelson Mandela Walks Free, journalist Trevor McDonald reflects on the moment Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years and returned to his home in Soweto for the first time in three decades. As the first journalist to interview Mandela upon his release, McDonald discusses this monumental meeting and describes Mandela’s focus on forgiveness, optimism, and the future rather than past suffering. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
The article "Charlotta Bass: The Civil Rights Fighter Who Ran for U.S. Vice President" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a compelling story about Charlotta Bass, the first Black woman to run for vice president in the U.S. It traces her journey from journalist to political pioneer, highlighting her activism, bravery against the Ku Klux Klan, and surveillance by the FBI during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.
In Tu Youyou and the Discovery of Artemisinin, host Chris Packham recounts the extraordinary journey of Chinese scientist Tu Youyou. Driven by determination, she unearthed an ancient remedy to combat malaria, ultimately saving millions of lives worldwide. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Does the Moon Affect Human Behavior? host Harith Iskander debunks myths that connect the Moon's phases to human behavior, particularly the idea of "lunacy" or madness. The Moon's gravitational pull does influence tides, but it does not have an effect on the water in our bodies, despite common myths. Learn about the Moon’s gravitational force and its real effects on Earth, as well as the science that dispels these longstanding myths. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
Meet the Numberblocks — little blocks with big ideas who make learning numbers fun and exciting for young children ages 3–7. Numberblocks helps kids build number sense as the characters come together, break apart, and explore how numbers really work. This free collection of printable games and colorful worksheets games give little learners hands-on practice with counting, odd and even numbers, and simple addition and subtraction. Perfect for use at home or in the classroom, these ready-to-use activities turn math practice into joyful play.
Plus, watch full episodes on the official Numberblocks YouTube channel!
Meet the Alphablocks — 26 living letters who discover that when they hold hands to make a word, something magical happens. Celebrated for its innovative approach to teaching reading, Alphablocks makes learning joyful, active, and engaging for early learners. This free collection of Alphablocks worksheets brings that magic to life at home or in the classroom, with Alphablocks letter cards kids can use to build words, alphabet finger puppets, and playful worksheets that teach letter sounds.
Watch full episodes of the award-winning show for kids ages 3–6 on the official Alphablocks YouTube channel!
In celebration of his vision and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the BBC Learning Hub has curated resources specifically for grades 3-5 and 6-12. Videos, articles, and printables to help your students engage with MLK's enduring message.
The article "Martin Luther King’s Dream: The Speech That Changed America" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the origins, message, and legacy of the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Delivered during the 1963 March on Washington, King’s words captured the hopes of the civil rights movement. The article examines the speech’s impact, historical setting, rhetorical power, and enduring relevance today.
This set of Martin Luther King Jr. worksheets contains two versions, so you can use the version that's closest to the grade level you teach or use both based on the individual reading levels of the students in your class. Here's what you'll find:
- Reading Passage: "Martin Luther King Jr.: A Man With a Dream," covering that life and legacy of MLK.
- Version A: Grades 3-5, Lexile Level 700-900L
- Version B: Grades 6-8, Lexile Level 850-1000L
- Glossary: Grade-level appropriate vocabulary and definitions to help students better understand the passage.
- Worksheets: KWL, timeline, and reflection (Version A); important events chart, Venn diagram, "Iconic Influences" response (Version B).
These activities pair with the following videos:
Happy holidays! With so many celebrations all over the globe during this season, it's the perfect time to teach your Grade 3–5 students about winter holidays around the world. Make copies of this mini-book (simply print on both sides flipped on the short edge, stack, and fold to assemble) for your students and invite them to read about each holiday and complete a simple report page full of questions, coloring, drawing, favorite facts, and more. Here are the eight winter holidays covered:
-
Diwali: A Hindu Festival of Lights celebrating the victory of light over darkness, with lamps, fireworks, and family gatherings.
-
St. Lucia Day: A Scandinavian holiday honoring St. Lucia, featuring processions with candles and special buns to bring light during the dark winter.
-
Las Posadas: A Mexican tradition reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, celebrated with processions, songs, and parties.
-
Hanukkah: A Jewish holiday celebrating the miracle of the Temple’s menorah oil lasting eight days, marked with candles, dreidel games, and fried foods.
-
Winter Solstice: The shortest day and longest night of the year, celebrated by many cultures as the return of the sun with feasts and light-themed traditions.
-
Christmas: A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, often marked with gift-giving, decorations, and family gatherings.
-
Kwanzaa: A weeklong African American celebration honoring African heritage and the Seven Principles through candles, reflection, and community activities.
-
Lunar New Year: An Asian cultural holiday welcoming the new year on the lunar calendar, celebrated with family reunions, special foods, and traditions for good luck.
In Obama Takes the National Stage, journalist Clive Myrie covers how Barack Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, a moment that would introduce him to the nation. Watch Obama’s early nerves, growing confidence, and the power of a speech that connected personal stories to broader ideas of freedom and justice. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Obama: His Story, which traces Obama’s extraordinary journey to the presidency and its meaning within the broader African American freedom struggle.
In Obama’s Presidential Victory, journalist Clive Myrie shows Barack Obama’s presidential victory as a historic turning point and the passing of a long-fought baton to a new generation of leadership. Drawing on voices from advisors, supporters, and Rhea McCauley, the niece of Rosa Parks, the video explores themes of dignity, perseverance, hope, and the belief that progress is possible when people reject cynicism and act together. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Obama: His Story, which traces Obama’s extraordinary journey to the presidency and its meaning within the broader African American freedom struggle.
In Nelson Mandela Walks Free, journalist Trevor McDonald reflects on the moment Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years and returned to his home in Soweto for the first time in three decades. As the first journalist to interview Mandela upon his release, McDonald discusses this monumental meeting and describes Mandela’s focus on forgiveness, optimism, and the future rather than past suffering. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
The article "Charlotta Bass: The Civil Rights Fighter Who Ran for U.S. Vice President" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a compelling story about Charlotta Bass, the first Black woman to run for vice president in the U.S. It traces her journey from journalist to political pioneer, highlighting her activism, bravery against the Ku Klux Klan, and surveillance by the FBI during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.
In Tu Youyou and the Discovery of Artemisinin, host Chris Packham recounts the extraordinary journey of Chinese scientist Tu Youyou. Driven by determination, she unearthed an ancient remedy to combat malaria, ultimately saving millions of lives worldwide. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Does the Moon Affect Human Behavior? host Harith Iskander debunks myths that connect the Moon's phases to human behavior, particularly the idea of "lunacy" or madness. The Moon's gravitational pull does influence tides, but it does not have an effect on the water in our bodies, despite common myths. Learn about the Moon’s gravitational force and its real effects on Earth, as well as the science that dispels these longstanding myths. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
Meet the Numberblocks — little blocks with big ideas who make learning numbers fun and exciting for young children ages 3–7. Numberblocks helps kids build number sense as the characters come together, break apart, and explore how numbers really work. This free collection of printable games and colorful worksheets games give little learners hands-on practice with counting, odd and even numbers, and simple addition and subtraction. Perfect for use at home or in the classroom, these ready-to-use activities turn math practice into joyful play.
Plus, watch full episodes on the official Numberblocks YouTube channel!
Meet the Alphablocks — 26 living letters who discover that when they hold hands to make a word, something magical happens. Celebrated for its innovative approach to teaching reading, Alphablocks makes learning joyful, active, and engaging for early learners. This free collection of Alphablocks worksheets brings that magic to life at home or in the classroom, with Alphablocks letter cards kids can use to build words, alphabet finger puppets, and playful worksheets that teach letter sounds.
Watch full episodes of the award-winning show for kids ages 3–6 on the official Alphablocks YouTube channel!
In celebration of his vision and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the BBC Learning Hub has curated resources specifically for grades 3-5 and 6-12. Videos, articles, and printables to help your students engage with MLK's enduring message.