Dr. King’s Six Principles

This worksheet helps students in Grades 5, 6, and 7 deepen their understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence while strengthening reflective writing, ethical reasoning, and civic awareness. After reading the six principles of nonviolence, learners select one principle to explain in their own words and reflect on how it can be applied in real-life settings such as school, community relationships, or the wider world. The activity bridges historical ideas with practical, everyday actions.

Skills Reinforced

• Civil Rights Philosophy (Grades 5-7) – Understand Dr. King’s principles of nonviolent action
• Reflective Writing – Explain ideas clearly and thoughtfully in a focused paragraph
• Social-Emotional Learning – Practice empathy, self-awareness, and ethical decision-making
• Civic Application – Apply principles of peace and justice to real-world situations

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper elementary and middle school ELA, social studies, and SEL standards
• Choice-Based Reflection – Students select one principle, increasing engagement and ownership
• Practical Connection – Encourages students to see how nonviolence applies to everyday conflicts
• Flexible Use – Ideal for classwork, journaling, character education lessons, or homeschool instruction
• Supports Meaningful Discussion – Can spark conversations about fairness, peace, and responsibility

This Dr. King’s Six Principles worksheet helps students move beyond memorizing ideas to living them. By reflecting on nonviolence and applying it to their own lives, learners strengthen writing skills, moral reasoning, and civic responsibility. It’s a meaningful, no-prep resource for classroom and homeschool settings focused on peace-building, justice, and thoughtful self-reflection.

This worksheet is part of our Martin Luther King Jr. Day Worksheets collection.