February 25, 2019
Practical Resources for Women’s History Month
This March, use these resources to integrate women’s history into your 6-12 classroom.
How can you help your students recognize the contributions women have made to the country and the world during this year’s Women’s History Month? These resources are your answer. They will allow you to integrate women’s stories into your instruction while also facilitating rich classroom discussions and setting the stage for future research projects.
Social media resources
Nat’l Women’s History Museum
Use this Instagram account to gather bite-sized information to share with students. You’ll find amazing primary sources and interesting historical anecdotes that are easy to digest, yet meaningful. Social media options like this one also show students that they can follow educational content across all platforms.
Women_ofHistory
Created by a graduate student in 2015, this Instagram account contains stories of historical women that students may not have read about in class. Learning about lesser-known historical figures can help your students understand that everyday acts of heroism and kindness can have far-reaching effects well into the future.
Web resources
Deadfeminists.com
The Dead Feminists series combines original art and quotes by historical feminists, connecting them to current political and social issues. While the site offers art prints for sale, you and your students can also learn a lot from the free blog content.
Nevertheless Podcast
This podcast celebrates women who are “transforming teaching and learning through technology.” Browse through two seasons’ worth of episodes, including transcripts, extended reading, and quotes. And consider listening to Episode 4 during Women’s History Month, as it features inspiring and resilient women.
Print resources
Nevertheless STEM Role Model Posters
Display these free downloadable posters in your classroom, and use them in tandem with this podcast episode that explores why young learners need STEM role models from all walks of life.
“200 Women: Who Will Change the Way You See the World,” by Ruth Hobday
In this book, 200 inspirational women were asked five questions:
- What really matters to you?
- What brings you happiness?
- What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
- What would you change if you could?
- Which single word do you most identify with?
These are great questions to use in classroom discussions, too. You could even ask students to answer them from the perspective of historical figures.
“Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History,” by Sam Maggs
Using whimsical illustrations and an engaging writing style, this book tells the stories of women who have broken barriers. It also sets the stage for a future research project by introducing students to a variety of historical figures, at least one of which is likely to resonate with each student.
“Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History,” by Kate Schatz
This New York Times bestseller uses powerful illustrations and quirky content to bring women’s history to life. It’s the kind of book that you might recommend to students (especially girls) as a free reading option, but you can also use it to teach mini-lessons during Women’s History Month.
