In March, we honor Women’s History Month. Since the very beginning of the United States, amazing women have helped make our country what it is today. Here are 5 cross-curricular lesson ideas from our Units on the Suffragists, Revolutionary Women, and Protest in America! You can share with your class so they can learn all about these critical moments from history.
Social Studies
Have students identify present-day issues that interest them. As a class, choose an issue and prepare a campaign that supports the issue. Campaign materials might include placards for a peaceful march, advertisements for magazines, and videotaped commercials. Plan an issue day and have students present the materials they prepared. Your students can read our Protest in America Unit to learn more.
Math
Remind students that women struggled for many years to gain the vote. Have students research information about the percentage of women who voted in the presidential elections from 1920 to 2020. Ask students to make a line graph showing the percentage of women voters. Suggest that students write commentary that explains the trends seen on their graphs. Our More Work to Be Done Topic will help give students more insight into how women’s suffrage is a global ideal.
Poetry
Students read about Phillis Wheatley and her poetry in Aiding the Cause from our Revolutionary Women Unit. Suggest that students find an anthology that includes Wheatley’s poetry and read and analyze her poems praising George Washington and celebrating the war’s end. Have students prepare an oral reading of the poems. Encourage creativity by suggesting students choose music and pictures to accompany their reading.
Language Arts
Ask small groups of students to write a short biography of one of the suffragists. They might choose Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Julia Ward Howe, Victoria Woodhull, or Alice Paul. Suggest that students go online for information or pictures they can use in their biographies. Our Susan B. Anthony and Other Leaders Topic is a great place for your students to learn more!
Drama
Have individuals prepare a dramatic presentation of the excerpt from the “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech from Victory in our Suffragist Unit. Suggest that students use gestures to emphasize the points made in the speech.
