Honor the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a printable activity that lists 36 acts of service and kindness students can do in January to honor Dr. King's principles and values.
Participate in MLK Day Acts of Service With Your Students
Bring the spirit of Dr. King into your classroom this January with acts of service that your students can complete all month long! This teacher-created resource will guide your class through a list of simple service acts they can do on MLK Day and the other days throughout the month to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Available in a printable PDF format, this worksheet can be used in any elementary classroom, whether you’re teaching kindergarten or 5th grade — or any grade in between!
Give each student a copy of this sheet and challenge them to complete the entire page during January. Each box on the sheet has an act of service and a line for your students to write the date they complete the activity.
Why Is MLK Day a Day of Service?
On the third Monday in January, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to recognize the vital work of a historic figure who fought for Black Americans’ civil rights. But did you know Martin Luther King Jr. Day is officially a Day of Service and has been since 1994? Legislation signed into law by President Bill Clinton officially created the national day of service with the King Holiday and Service Act.
The goal of the designation was to ensure people understand that the holiday is not just a day off from work or school. It’s an opportunity for people to engage in acts of service, promoting the values of equality, justice and compassion that Dr. King advocated during the civil rights movement.
Engaging in acts of service with your students on the third Monday in January — or on the days before and after — is a way for our students and our school communities to embody the principles and values that Dr. King stood for. By actively contributing to the betterment of society, your class can honor Dr. King’s commitment to creating a more just and equitable world.
Before You Download Your Acts of Service List
Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the full-color, low-color, or black-and-white PDF versions of this resource.
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