10 Ways to Celebrate Women's History Month in Class

Celebrating Women's History Month in Class: A Guide for Educators

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. It is an opportunity to recognize the achievements of women and to inspire future generations of girls and women to pursue their dreams. As an educator, you can play a significant role in promoting women’s history and empowering your students to become active participants in shaping a more equitable future.

In this blog post, we will provide you with 10 ways to celebrate Women’s History Month in your classroom, from exploring women’s contributions to STEM fields to analyzing the impact of women’s rights movements.

1. Explore Women's Contributions to STEM Fields

Women have made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, yet they are often underrepresented in these areas. You can highlight the achievements of women such as Marie Curie, Ada Lovelace, and Rosalind Franklin, who have paved the way for future generations of women in STEM.

• Use online resources such as NASA’s Women in STEM website to explore the contributions of women in space exploration and astronomy.
• Invite a guest speaker, such as a female engineer or scientist, to talk to your class about her experiences and achievements in STEM.

2. Analyze the Impact of Women's Rights Movements

The women’s rights movement has had a significant impact on society, from the suffrage movement to the fight for equal pay. You can analyze the impact of these movements with your students and explore how they have shaped the world we live in today.

• Use primary sources such as the Declaration of Sentiments and the 19th Amendment to explore the history of the women’s rights movement.
• Have students create a timeline of major events in the women’s rights movement and discuss their significance.

3. Create a Women's History Timeline

A timeline is a great way to visualize the contributions of women throughout history. You can have students work in groups to create a timeline that highlights the achievements of women in various fields.

• Use a tool such as Timeline JS to create an interactive timeline that can be shared with the class.
• Have students include images, videos, and quotes from women who have made significant contributions to history.

4. Invite a Guest Speaker

Inviting a guest speaker can be a great way to bring women’s history to life in your classroom. You can invite a woman who has made significant contributions in her field to talk to your class about her experiences and achievements.

• Use online resources such as the National Women’s Hall of Fame to find potential guest speakers.
• Have students prepare questions in advance to ask the guest speaker.

5. Explore Women's Literature

Women’s literature is a rich and diverse field that offers insights into the experiences of women throughout history. You can explore the works of women authors such as Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, and Toni Morrison.

• Have students read and analyze a novel or short story written by a woman author.
• Discuss the themes and motifs that emerge in women’s literature and how they relate to women’s experiences.

6. Create a Women's History Museum

A museum is a great way to showcase the contributions of women throughout history. You can have students work in groups to create exhibits that highlight the achievements of women in various fields.

• Use a tool such as Google Forms to create an online museum that can be shared with the class.
• Have students include images, videos, and artifacts from women who have made significant contributions to history.

7. Write Biographies of Women in History

Writing biographies is a great way to learn about the lives and achievements of women in history. You can have students choose a woman to research and write a biography about.

• Use online resources such as the Biography.com website to find information about women in history.
• Have students include images and quotes from the woman they are researching.

8. Create a Women's History Podcast

A podcast is a great way to share the stories of women in history with a wider audience. You can have students work in groups to create a podcast that explores the contributions of women throughout history.

• Use a tool such as Anchor to create and publish a podcast.
• Have students include interviews with experts, music, and sound effects to make the podcast engaging.

9. Analyze Women's Representation in Media

The media plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions of women and their roles in society. You can analyze the representation of women in media with your students and explore how it has changed over time.

• Use online resources such as the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to explore the representation of women in film and television.
• Have students create a chart or graph to track the representation of women in media over time.

10. Create a Women's History Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a fun way to engage students in learning about women’s history. You can create a scavenger hunt that takes students around the school or community to find artifacts and information about women’s history.

• Use a tool such as Google Forms to create an online scavenger hunt that can be shared with the class.
• Have students work in teams to complete the scavenger hunt and discuss their findings as a class.

📚 Note: Be sure to include a variety of perspectives and experiences when exploring women's history, including those of women of color, women with disabilities, and women from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

In conclusion, Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. By incorporating these activities into your classroom, you can empower your students to become active participants in shaping a more equitable future.

Related Terms:

• Women's History Month Worksheets