Letter from Birmingham Jail Close Read and Hexagonal Thinking Graphic Organizer

Item description

This Letter from Birmingham Jail Analysis Activity and Hexagonal Thinking Graphic Organizer is designed to deepen students’ understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter written in 1963. This activity is ideal for students studying American history, civil rights, and social justice in grades 8-12.

The Letter from Birmingham Jail Analysis Activity includes a range of engaging and thought-provoking questions that encourage critical thinking, reflection, and discussion. Students engage in close reading of specific passages and written reflection.

What is included?

• Printer-friendly and digital versions
• Answer Key
• Timeline of events leading up to King’s arrest (use as a classroom display or a Google Presentation to introduce your lesson)
• Hexagonal Thinking Graphic Organizer and Sample

Suggested Uses

Stations:

Students will work in stations, with each station focused on one excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous letter written in 1963. The activity is designed to encourage close reading and analysis of the text, while also promoting collaboration and discussion among students. At each station, students will read and analyze a specific excerpt of the letter, and then complete a series of t close reading questions.

Individual or Small Groups:

This resource can be used as an independent or small group activity, or as a whole class lesson. Teachers can choose to use all excerpts or select specific excerpts based on the needs of students and the time available.

Hexagonal Thinking Graphic Organizer:

Use as a culminating activity for students to demonstrate their understanding and relationships between vocabulary, key figures and organizations, dates, etc. associated with “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

Sub Day Activity

Paper and Google Slides Version Included