The Power of Peace

This worksheet helps students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 strengthen comparison writing, historical analysis, and civic understanding by examining Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alongside another global leader-such as Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela-who pursued justice through peaceful means. After reading brief informational texts, learners write a focused paragraph comparing and contrasting each leader’s beliefs, methods, and challenges, then draw a lesson that people today can apply. The activity promotes higher-level reasoning and thoughtful reflection on nonviolent leadership.

Skills Reinforced

• Compare & Contrast Writing (Grades 6-8) – Analyze similarities and differences between two historical figures
• Global Civil Rights History – Understand how nonviolent movements developed in different parts of the world
• Critical Thinking – Evaluate methods, challenges, and outcomes of peaceful leadership
• Civic Understanding – Identify lessons about justice, courage, and nonviolence relevant today

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with middle school ELA, social studies, and civics standards
• Structured Writing Task – Guides students to compare beliefs, actions, and impact clearly
• Big-Idea Focus – Encourages synthesis by asking students to draw a modern lesson
• Flexible Use – Ideal for classwork, assessment, discussion follow-ups, or homeschool instruction
• Builds Higher-Order Thinking – Moves beyond facts to interpretation and application

This The Power of Peace worksheet helps students see how nonviolent leadership transcends time and place. By comparing Dr. King with another global leader, learners strengthen comparison writing skills, deepen historical understanding, and reflect on how peaceful methods can still inspire justice today. It’s a meaningful, no-prep resource for classroom and homeschool settings focused on thoughtful analysis, global awareness, and civic values.

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