March 11, 2024

March is National Women's History Month, an entire month dedicated to commemorating famous women in history who have made strides in advocating for gender equality. Women's History Month is an important month to celebrate and recognize the contributions of women all throughout the nation’s history. In this blog post, we'll share some fun and easy ideas for celebrating Women's History Month in the classroom.

1. Celebrate Women's History Month through writing...

Below are five different writing prompts that can be used for your students:

1. Who is the most influential woman you know? How does she inspire you?
2. What are some of the biggest challenges that women face today? How will these change in the next 20 years?
3. Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” How does this quote relate to feminism and the struggle for equal rights? How can you use it to inspire your own actions?
4. List five women alive today that you think will be influential for future generations. Why did you choose these women? Be specific.
5. Do you think a woman will be president in the next decade? Why or why not?

2. Watch a movie or documentary about women’s rights...

Below is a list of various age appropriate movies that focus on women:

• Mulan (streaming on Disney+) is an animated coming of age video that follows China’s legendary girl warrior, who disguises herself as a man to take her aging father’s place as a soldier to defeat the Huns. (Rated G)
• Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable (streaming on Tubi) After losing an arm to a shark attack at 13 years old, Bethany Hamilton refused to give up her dreams of being a professional surfer. She managed to conquer the ocean and become a mother, all with one arm. (Rated PG)
• The Eagle Huntress  (streaming on Amazon Prime) This 2016 documentary tells the story of Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl from Mongolia. She is trying to become the first female eagle hunter to compete in an eagle festival in Mongolia. (Rated G)
• Hidden Figures  (streaming on Disney+) The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. (Rated PG)
• A League of Their Own  (streaming on Hulu) Tom Hanks stars as Jimmy Dugan, a washed-up ballplayer whose big league days are over. Hired to coach in the All-American Girls Baseball League of 1943, while the male pros are at war, Dugan finds himself drawn back into the game by the heart and heroics of his all-girl team. (Rated PG)

Discussion Topics for the movies/documentaries:

• What was your favorite part of the film? Why?
• What are some ways in which boys and girls are treated differently in this film?
• What would you do if you were in [protagonist’s] position?
• How is your life different from or the same as [the protagonist]?
• How can we work to improve the lives of women and girls around the world?
  

3. Start your class day with these fascinating facts about women, and use them as a jumping-off point for discussions or more Women’s History Month activities....

4. Use BrainPOP’s Women’s History unit...

BrainPOP offers a massive collection of free movies, texts, games, and lessons on famous women in history. You can base a whole history unit on it, or ask each student to choose a woman from the list and complete the activities included. This is a really cool way to personalize the learning experience.

5. Try a women’s history word search...

There are countless free printable worksheets available online. Browse the web to find worksheets that are age appropriate for your class.

• Click here to download a Women's History Month Word Search

From Women's History Month to global International Women's Day celebrations, March is a perfect time to embrace the power of women's voices and drive positive change. Women's History Month honors the past and reminds us that progress requires ongoing effort. Even  small acts of mentorship and support can make a profound difference in advancing women's opportunities. Together, we can contribute to work towards a future where women's contributions and rights are fully respected and celebrated.