Women’s History Month is celebrated in March and it’s a time to honor the women who’ve changed the world. There have been thousands of women throughout history that have influenced the world in some manner, whether it’s through a minor achievement or a major one. So, it’s only right to celebrate their achievements. Fortunately, there are lots of simple activities you can try.
The Top 18 Activities to Try in the Classroom
- A Women’s History Puzzle
- Read the Story of Mae Jemison and Becoming an Astronaut
- Read a good about the suffrage movement
- Celebrate Sally Ride and Create an Astronaut Helmet
- Plant a Tree in Honor of Women’s Suffrage
- Talk about Women in Sport
- A Virtual Scavenger Hunt
- Watch Historical Documentaries
- Have a Class Discussion
- Write a Report on an Influential Woman from History
- Talk about the Marie Currie and Her Role in Science
- Create a Timeline of Influential Women in History
- Read Poems Created by Women Poets
- Create a Guess Who Game Featuring Famous Women
- Create a Presentation Feature Famous Women from one Era in Time
- Have a Quotation Board
- Learn about the Famous Women in Film and TV
- Learn about Famous Political Leaders and their Influence
Create a Fun Discussion
Let’s be honest, children listen when the subject is exciting or appealing to them. So, you need to find a topic that allows them to participate. You could talk about female political or state leaders. For example, the Queen of Great Britain has been on the throne for 70 years. So, you could set your class the challenge to create a timeline of her most memorable events, from the time she ascended the throne to her most recent jubilee.
Or ask the students to pick the most influential First Lady. Get your class to choose someone they feel has made their mark on history, such as Michelle Obama or Betty Ford. You can do this with lots of influential women, from those on the silver screen to famous female athletes.
Ask the Kids What They Want to Learn About
Celebrating women’s history month is important for so many reasons, however, it’s important the students have their say. For example, a student wants to learn about famous African American women from history. You shouldn’t ignore this because it’s important to cover as many areas of history as possible. So, you could create a day where you talk about famous African American women that have influenced the country (and the world).
It’s the same when a student asks to learn about the women’s voting movement and other such events. If this is something the students want to learn about, you should try to cover the topic. It’s sometimes the best way to encourage students to learn, especially if it’s a subject close to their heart.
Set Tasks for Homework
Homework assignments are the ideal opportunity for children to expand their minds and do a little research of their own. For example, you ask the students to each choose one influential woman that inspires them. It can be any woman, from mothers, grandmothers, guardians, friends, or famous faces, but it must be someone who has made a difference in their life.
Or you could ask each student to write an essay on a famous woman from history. Set them the task to find out about their backgrounds, family life, careers, and what they did to make a positive impact on the world. This inspires children to do some simple research, but, once they find out more about that person, they want to learn more. You can find students, of all ages, who want to learn about famous faces they feel inspire them.
Encourage Group Participation
Women’s history month is a chance for students to learn more about the things influential women have done over the years. It’s a time for everyone to understand how important a woman’s role is in society, and you should encourage every student – both boys and girls – to give an honest opinion on all topics. It might cause some controversy within the class; however, it’s also the chance for everyone to have their say.
If students say a more biased answer, discuss with them why that view isn’t always accepted. Participation from the entire class can help spark new debates and maybe even change some unacceptable attitudes. It’s worth a try and it doesn’t cause too much trouble either.
