by Rachel Wells
Between March being Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day taking place on March 8th – there’s no time like the present to teach children about the achievements of some remarkable women throughout history.
Here are 8 engaging activities that will help students celebrate amazing female artists, scientists, leaders, and more, who have made their mark and accomplished great things.
Read Lots of Books
Books are always an excellent way to introduce topics. Check out a few of our picks below:
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen: The Story of Six Novels, Three Notebooks, a Writing Box, and One Clever Girl
An inspiring picture book biography of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved writers of all time.
Mae Among the Stars
This beautiful book is inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison.
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
Learn about 13 women who have spoken out for what’s right, even when they have to fight to be heard.
Amina’s Voice
An inspiring story about staying true to yourself.
Before She was Harriet
Find out who Harriet Tubman was before she was Harriet.
Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist
Mary’s discoveries rocked the world of science and helped create a brand-new field of study: paleontology.
Little People, Big Dreams Trailblazing Women Collection
This book series has so many historical figures to learn about. This box set includes stories for Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie & Jane Goodall.
Hold a Wax Museum
This is such a fun and engaging project that will have kids of all ages taking an active role in their learning, and fully immersing themselves in the life of the person they’re studying.
- Have students choose a historical figure that they will research and write a biography about.
- Next, send a note home to parents explaining the wax museum – how to create a display board, and how to design a costume for their historical figure. The costumes must also include a “button” that the students can hold or be attached to their outfit.
- During the actual wax museum event students will stand around the room with their display boards and dressed in costume. When parents or another class come to visit, they can walk around and push the pretend buttons on each student. When a student’s button is pushed, they will give a small presentation about their historical figure including who they were, their accomplishments, etc.
Display Fun Facts
Display fun facts about women in history around your room or put a fun fact up each day on the board. Here’s just a few to get you started:
- Women’s History Month began in March of 1987.
- It wasn’t until 1965 that all women could legally vote.
- Sally Ride became the first women in space on June 18th, 1983, when she flew on the space shuttle Challenger.
- Women couldn’t get credit cards on their own until 1974.
- Marie Curie was the first women to receive two Nobel prizes. She was a scientist whose research on radioactivity led her to discover two new elements.
- Aretha Franklin was the first women inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Watch Videos
BrainPOP has tons of free and paid videos, games, and ready to go lessons. Check out this Women’s History unit below:
Social Studies Unit: Women’s History – BrainPOP
You can also learn about the history behind Women’s History Month with this short segment from Good Morning America.
The history behind Women’s History Month (youtube.com)
Take a Virtual Field Trip
You can sign up for a virtual field trip through the National Women’s History Museum here: Virtual Field Trips | National Women’s History Museum
Send Notes to Remarkable Women
Whether you choose to send cards to women on the frontline, your female mail carrier, or women in your family – have you child write a note of gratitude and thank them for all they do.
Make a Craft
Create Perler Bead crafts for five great women of American History: Sacagawea, Betsy Ross, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, and Sally Ride using the free PDF template on the Perler Bead website.
Invent With Rosie Revere Engineer
Rosie Revere Engineer is a beautifully written storybook about celebrating failures on the road to achieving your dreams. Read it to students first before taking out your craft supplies and giving everyone a chance to plan out and make their own inventions.
