How to Celebrate Women's History Month in the Classroom

Since 1981, March has been Women's History Month. Women from all walks of life are recognized during this time. Here are a few ways to observe Women's History Month in your classroom.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Poll your class to learn what they know about women's history and their contributions around the world, such as women's' suffrage. Discuss findings and post the results on the wall.
2. Have students pull a strip of paper from a fish bowl full of contributions by women. Ask the students to imagine that these contribution never happened. Then allow the students to respond on a teacher-created web log and explain how their lives were impacted.
3. Create a PowerPoint of other countries in which women are still fighting for recognition. Allow each student to write a letter of encouragement to them, using examples of women who fought and won in America.
4. Invite women from the community who have jobs that were or are considered untraditional for women, such as a firefighter. Give the students time to ask questions and ask them to record reports in the form of a class newsletter.
5. Read literature from various genres and literary periods to appreciate a reflection of the times through the words of women.
6. Ask students to interview important female figures in their lives about what they feel are their greatest accomplishments.
7. Have the students create art, literature, and multi-media projects that document the accomplishments of renowned women and women in their community. Create a gallery within your classroom and invite the school and community to share in the celebration.