The Boy King (1986) – Martin Luther King Jr. 120' Lesson & Worksheet

🧑🏾‍🏫 The Boy King (1986) – Martin Luther King Jr. Lesson & Movie Guide

⭐ Inspire students with the powerful story of young Martin Luther King Jr. through this 2-hour lesson and worksheet set based on The Boy King (1986). Designed for Grades 5–8, this engaging film study helps students understand how childhood experiences, family values, and early encounters with discrimination shaped Dr. King’s character and leadership.

✅ What’s Included

• Complete 2-hour lesson plan (pre-viewing, viewing, post-viewing)

• Printable student worksheet (18 activities) + full answer key

• Discussion prompts for character, family, and segregation themes

• Vocabulary, writing, and reflection activities

• Extension projects and cross-curricular connections

• Differentiation strategies for diverse learners

• Common Core alignment (ELA, History, Character Education)

💡 How It Works in the Classroom

• Watch The Boy King (1986) as a class (available via DVD or streaming)

• Engage students in pre-viewing discussions and vocabulary building

• Guide note-taking and analysis during the film

• Facilitate post-viewing reflection, writing, and creative response

• Use in whole-group lessons, sub plans, or during MLK Day activities

🎯 Standards & Learning Goals

Students will:

• Identify examples of segregation and discrimination in the 1930s–40s

• Analyze how family values and faith shaped Dr. King’s character

• Develop empathy and historical understanding

• Connect childhood experiences to the Civil Rights Movement

• Strengthen ELA skills through writing, discussion, and reflection

💬 Why Teachers Love It

✅ Ready-to-teach and emotionally engaging
✅ Encourages critical thinking and empathy
✅ Flexible for middle school Social Studies or ELA
✅ Perfect addition to Black History Month or MLK Day lessons
✅ Age-appropriate introduction to segregation and civil rights themes

✨ Perfect For

• History & Social Studies units

• Character education and empathy lessons

• Cross-curricular ELA activities

• Substitute or short film-based lessons

⭐ Help your students see how ordinary childhood experiences can shape extraordinary leaders.