In Martin Luther King Jr., Iconic Activist, host Sanjeev Bhaskar discusses the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. who was deeply committed to non-violent protest and inspired other activists who came after him. 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 Virginia Woolf, the Writer, host Lily Cole introduces Virginia Woolf, a revolutionary writer of her time. Woolf, who suffered abuse in her childhood and faced regular hospitalization for depression, is discussed in the context of her novel Mrs. Dalloway. 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.
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:
Drawn from the BBC series Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, this video playlist introduces influential figures from science, politics, civil rights, sports, art, music, exploration, and more. Meet Muhammad Ali, Helen Keller, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Goodall, Pelé, and others whose work challenged conventions, broke barriers, or changed how people understood the world.
Explore the discoveries and ideas that transformed science, the movements that pushed societies toward change, and the creative achievements that reshaped art and culture. Along the way, consider the historical circumstances these figures lived through, the obstacles they faced, and the choices that shaped their public legacies.
What makes someone an icon? Is it achievement, influence, courage, originality — or something more complicated? These BBC videos invite viewers to look beyond famous names and consider how individuals can shape history, as well as how history shapes the way we remember them.
In Helen Keller, Activist for Equality and Ambassador for Peace, host Sanjeev Bhaskar explores Keller’s fights against fascism and class inequality as well as her support for women’s suffrage. Keller’s activism, including founding the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), made her both revered and controversial. 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 Virginia Woolf, the Activist host Lily Cole explores the revolutionary impact Woolf had on society in the early 20th Century. Woolf challenged gender stereotypes and the expectations placed on women. She was an unconventional figure whose work, including the novel Orlando, explored themes of gender, sexuality, and identity. 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.
Ida B. Wells was a journalist, anti-lynching advocate, and civil rights activist who fought racial injustice and worked for women's suffrage. In 1892, she began a campaign against lynching, using her newspaper to expose violence against Black Americans and build support for federal action. She also challenged racial discrimination, including within the women's suffrage movement.
Wells was a founding member of the NAACP in 1909 and established organizations supporting Black communities and women's voting rights in Chicago. In 1930, she ran for the Illinois State Legislature, becoming one of the early Black women in the United States to seek public office. She died in 1931, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for equality.
In the late 1800s, the United States experienced rapid industrial growth. By 1900, the country had become the world’s leading producer of manufactured goods, and national wealth increased. But many farmers struggled as prices for their crops fell. Farmers blamed railroads and banks for making it harder to earn a living and began taking political action. In 1892, farmers and labor activists formed the Populist Party, also called the People’s Party.
The party called for changes such as government ownership of railroads and telephone and telegraph systems. Its presidential candidate, James B. Weaver, won more than a million votes but lost the election. In 1896, the Populists supported Democrat William Jennings Bryan, who adopted several of their ideas. After Bryan lost the election, the Populist Party declined and eventually stopped playing a major role in national politics.
In Alice Paul and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage, activist Alice Paul leads marches and protests to secure women’s right to vote in the United States. Drawing inspiration from the militant suffrage movement in the UK, she organizes the National Woman’s Party, pickets the White House, and helps secure the passage of the 19th Amendment after decades of struggle.
In Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Icon, students learn how the Civil Rights Movement found its leader in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an activist, preacher, and powerful speaker who believed in achieving change through non-violent action. The video explains why Dr. King emerged as a central figure during a time when millions of Americans were fighting for equal rights and justice.
Excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, this documentary clip helps students understand what made Dr. King an icon — not just for his words, but for his leadership, courage, and lasting influence. Using historical footage and clear storytelling, it introduces key ideas of the Civil Rights Movement in a way that is accessible and engaging.
This short video works well as an introduction to Martin Luther King Jr., a foundation for learning about the Civil Rights Movement, or a discussion starter about leadership, activism, and democracy. Teachers can easily use it to support lessons around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, civic responsibility, and the power of individuals to inspire change.
In Getting the News Right, host Radzi Chinyanganya explains how crucial it is that journalists separate facts from opinions and truth from fake news in this age of disinformation. In the case of a violent attack in Sudan in 2019 that killed over a hundred people, there were no journalists on the ground. Instead, BBC journalists gathered and analyzed over 300 phone videos from civilians and activists to verify accuracy. By verifying the facts, they were able to hold those responsible to account. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
In Protecting the World’s Smallest Islands, host Radzi Chinyanganya highlights the efforts of children in Palau, a small Pacific Island nation, as they fight to protect their environment from the effects of climate change. These young activists are taking action to preserve their island’s natural beauty and ecosystem, which are being threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns. Through their activism, they are calling for greater global attention to the vulnerabilities of small island nations and their urgent need for climate action. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
In Martin Luther King Jr., Iconic Activist, host Sanjeev Bhaskar discusses the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. who was deeply committed to non-violent protest and inspired other activists who came after him. 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 Virginia Woolf, the Writer, host Lily Cole introduces Virginia Woolf, a revolutionary writer of her time. Woolf, who suffered abuse in her childhood and faced regular hospitalization for depression, is discussed in the context of her novel Mrs. Dalloway. 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.
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:
Drawn from the BBC series Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, this video playlist introduces influential figures from science, politics, civil rights, sports, art, music, exploration, and more. Meet Muhammad Ali, Helen Keller, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Goodall, Pelé, and others whose work challenged conventions, broke barriers, or changed how people understood the world.
Explore the discoveries and ideas that transformed science, the movements that pushed societies toward change, and the creative achievements that reshaped art and culture. Along the way, consider the historical circumstances these figures lived through, the obstacles they faced, and the choices that shaped their public legacies.
What makes someone an icon? Is it achievement, influence, courage, originality — or something more complicated? These BBC videos invite viewers to look beyond famous names and consider how individuals can shape history, as well as how history shapes the way we remember them.
In Helen Keller, Activist for Equality and Ambassador for Peace, host Sanjeev Bhaskar explores Keller’s fights against fascism and class inequality as well as her support for women’s suffrage. Keller’s activism, including founding the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), made her both revered and controversial. 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 Virginia Woolf, the Activist host Lily Cole explores the revolutionary impact Woolf had on society in the early 20th Century. Woolf challenged gender stereotypes and the expectations placed on women. She was an unconventional figure whose work, including the novel Orlando, explored themes of gender, sexuality, and identity. 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.
Ida B. Wells was a journalist, anti-lynching advocate, and civil rights activist who fought racial injustice and worked for women's suffrage. In 1892, she began a campaign against lynching, using her newspaper to expose violence against Black Americans and build support for federal action. She also challenged racial discrimination, including within the women's suffrage movement.
Wells was a founding member of the NAACP in 1909 and established organizations supporting Black communities and women's voting rights in Chicago. In 1930, she ran for the Illinois State Legislature, becoming one of the early Black women in the United States to seek public office. She died in 1931, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for equality.
In the late 1800s, the United States experienced rapid industrial growth. By 1900, the country had become the world’s leading producer of manufactured goods, and national wealth increased. But many farmers struggled as prices for their crops fell. Farmers blamed railroads and banks for making it harder to earn a living and began taking political action. In 1892, farmers and labor activists formed the Populist Party, also called the People’s Party.
The party called for changes such as government ownership of railroads and telephone and telegraph systems. Its presidential candidate, James B. Weaver, won more than a million votes but lost the election. In 1896, the Populists supported Democrat William Jennings Bryan, who adopted several of their ideas. After Bryan lost the election, the Populist Party declined and eventually stopped playing a major role in national politics.
In Alice Paul and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage, activist Alice Paul leads marches and protests to secure women’s right to vote in the United States. Drawing inspiration from the militant suffrage movement in the UK, she organizes the National Woman’s Party, pickets the White House, and helps secure the passage of the 19th Amendment after decades of struggle.
In Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Icon, students learn how the Civil Rights Movement found its leader in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an activist, preacher, and powerful speaker who believed in achieving change through non-violent action. The video explains why Dr. King emerged as a central figure during a time when millions of Americans were fighting for equal rights and justice.
Excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, this documentary clip helps students understand what made Dr. King an icon — not just for his words, but for his leadership, courage, and lasting influence. Using historical footage and clear storytelling, it introduces key ideas of the Civil Rights Movement in a way that is accessible and engaging.
This short video works well as an introduction to Martin Luther King Jr., a foundation for learning about the Civil Rights Movement, or a discussion starter about leadership, activism, and democracy. Teachers can easily use it to support lessons around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, civic responsibility, and the power of individuals to inspire change.
In Getting the News Right, host Radzi Chinyanganya explains how crucial it is that journalists separate facts from opinions and truth from fake news in this age of disinformation. In the case of a violent attack in Sudan in 2019 that killed over a hundred people, there were no journalists on the ground. Instead, BBC journalists gathered and analyzed over 300 phone videos from civilians and activists to verify accuracy. By verifying the facts, they were able to hold those responsible to account. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
In Protecting the World’s Smallest Islands, host Radzi Chinyanganya highlights the efforts of children in Palau, a small Pacific Island nation, as they fight to protect their environment from the effects of climate change. These young activists are taking action to preserve their island’s natural beauty and ecosystem, which are being threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns. Through their activism, they are calling for greater global attention to the vulnerabilities of small island nations and their urgent need for climate action. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.