Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution? Lesson PlanMartin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution? Lesson Plan
Publisher
Stanford University
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 12th
Subjects
English Language Arts
7 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audiences
For Teacher Use
1 more...
Duration
1 hr
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
2 more...
Technology
Video
Projection
Internet Access
Usage Permissions
Fine Print
Lesson Plan

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution? lesson plan also includes:
  • Activity
  • Student Reference
  • Informational Text
  • Join to access all included materials

Much has been made of the differences between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. But was there any common ground between them? Class members reconsider what they think they know about these two civil rights leaders with biographical materials and primary source documents that focus on their philosophies, tactics, and legacies.

77 Views 54 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

martin luther king jr., malcolm x, racism, civil rights leaders, civil rights, the civil rights movement

Additional Tags

social studies

Instructional Ideas

  • Include in a study of Civil Rights leaders and/or as part of a Black History Month unit
  • If class sets of Haley's The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Carson's The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. are not available, assign the designated chapters to several individuals and have them report their findings to the class

Classroom Considerations

  • Instructors should be prepared to discuss the profound effect Malcolm X's conversion to Islam and his journey to Mecca had on his philosophy and tactics

Pros

  • Challenges learners' preconceived notions and reveals how the philosophies of these men changed and evolved over time

Cons

  • None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.6 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.6

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Malcolm X: Make It Plain, Part I

Described and Captioned Media Program
Malcolm X was a complicated man that few in white America understood. After sharing what they know or think they know about this civil rights leader, about nationalism and Black Nationalism, class members view a two-part documentary...
11th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Malcolm X: Make It Plain, Part II

Described and Captioned Media Program
Track the transformation of Malcolm Little into Malcolm X and then into El Jajj Malik El-Shabazz with the second part of Make it Plain, a documentary on the famous civil rights activist. Viewers consider not only how events shaped and...
11th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Malcolm X: Minister and Civil Rights Activist

PBS
Any study of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement would be incomplete without an examination of the life of Malcolm X. Class members view a short biographical video and analyze primary source documents to gain an understanding of the...
3rd - 7th English Language Arts
CCSS: Designed
Lesson Planet Article

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Most Meaningful Way

Curated OER
Lead your class on a journey into the Deep South so that they understand the true meaning of what inspired this holiday.
6th - 8th Social Studies & History
Lesson Plan

Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" Speech

Curated OER
Invite your class to investigate racism and civil rights by analyzing the great Dr. Martin Luther King's speech. Your learners will read the words from the "I Have a Dream" speech and analyze the political and racial overtones. They will...
6th - 8th Visual & Performing Arts
Lesson Plan

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nonviolent Resistance

National Endowment for the Humanities
Was nonviolent resistance the best means of securing civil rights for black Americans in the 1960s? In this highly engaging and informative lesson, your young historians will closely analyze several key documents from the civil rights...
9th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Last Days of Martin Luther King, Jr.

C-SPAN
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Four video clips reveal the events of that time, including the shift in the focus of the Civil Rights Movement, the aftermath of the assassination, and...
6th - 12th Social Studies & History
Lesson Plan

Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Leader

PBS
Expand class members' appreciation of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A powerful resource examines King's speeches, writings, and actions that reveal his deep commitment to a nonviolent approach to Civil Rights. Learners watch a...
3rd - 7th English Language Arts
CCSS: Designed
Lesson Plan

Martin Luther King Jr. and the Power of Words

Center for Civic Education
It is easy to forget the power that written or spoken word can have in effecting change. Using quotations from such inspirational leaders as Maya Angelou, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr., encourage your class members to...
7th - 12th Social & Emotional Learning
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech as Visual Text

PBS
Young historians watch a video of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his "I Have a Dream" speech and answer questions that test their knowledge of the event. After discussing the fact sheet, they reread the speech, select a phrase or...
1 hr 6th - 12th English Language Arts
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use