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THE ABCs of WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
The following activities help students explore issues of women and political power, as well as some of the underlying reasons the political gender gap still exists.
Early Grades Gender Shouldn't Limit You!
Teachers can help young students explore classroom gender bias and generate gender fairness and equality. What are the political gender biases among young students? Would they elect a girl president?
Vote Quest
This interactive game teaches students about the struggle for women's voting rights.
Girls Can Be Plumbers?
This activity helps early-grade students begin to think about gender roles, stereotypes and career choices.
Middle Grades Gender Stereotypes
Subtle messages can teach both girls and boys which kinds of jobs are "feminine" and which are "masculine." When you close your eyes and think of a President, what kind of person do you see?
Women as Newsmakers
Public discourse happens in a lot of places – including the local newspaper. Do women help write and shape the news? Who is telling the story is almost as important as the story being told. Use this activity from the Center for Media Literacy to help students conduct a gender survey of your local newspaper.
Middle and Upper Grades Gender Separate Dialogue
How do girls and boys see themselves? How do they think they’re seen by others? What do gender stereotypes teach kids about who they’re supposed to be?
Gender-Free Words (PDF)
Can a woman be a chairman? Or a fireman? Or a Congressman? Discuss the impact of language on how we view the world and the people around us. Challenge the notion that masculine words are generic, and help students create real neutral alternatives.
The Equal Rights Amendment – Should it Pass?
This activity, from CNN’s women’s history month guide, helps students understand the arguments for and against the Equal Rights Amendment and how the ERA would affect their lives.
Upper Grades Media Portrayals of Women in Politics
This lesson invites students to look critically at the way women and men present themselves in the political arena.
Madam President?
When will there be a Madam President? This essay suggests a three-step process toward electing a woman into the Oval Office.
Discussion Questions:
How is women’s leadership different from men’s leadership? Do you think men and women focus on similar issues?
What is the "glass ceiling"? How does it keep women from achieving personal and professional goals?
Is it likely that the U.S. will have a female president in the near future? In your lifetime? Why?
The author says that to increase the visibility of women in government, it’s important for women to start running for office early. Have you ever supported a girl running for office in your school? Why? If you're a girl, have you considered running yourself? Do you know the election process in your school or community? What specific challenges do girls have that boys don’t have when running for office and getting elected?
How can men and boys help women break through the glass ceiling?
Diagramming Sexism
Teach your students to recognize institutionalized sexism – the policies and messages that help keep the political gender gap alive and well.
Current Events
The news provides daily opportunities to help students connect inequalities of the past with what's going on today. These samples can help you get started.
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