What Is Women's History Month?
First thing's first: What is the month all about? Women's History Month is a time when we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. It's usually observed in the month of March, and it's a time to reflect on the ways that women have shaped and continue to shape our world. During this month, there are often events and exhibits organized to highlight the accomplishments of women, as well as educational programs and workshops to teach people about the history of women's rights and gender equality. It's also a time to celebrate the women in our own lives and to appreciate the ways that they have impacted us.What Do You Teach in Women's History Month?
As a teacher, you can use this month as an opportunity to teach about the struggles that women have faced and continue to face in terms of achieving equality and breaking down barriers. It's a time to remember that the fight for women's rights is ongoing and that there is still work to be done. Some topics you may want to bring into your lesson planning include:- Women's suffrage and the fight for the right to vote
- Women's rights and feminist movements throughout history
- Women in STEM and other traditionally male-dominated fields
- Women in politics and government
- Women in the arts and literature
- Women who have made significant contributions to social justice and civil rights
- Women who have shattered the glass ceiling and broken through barriers in their careers.
Why Should Kids Learn Women's History?
Not sure if this is worth adding to your lessons?
Learning about women's history is important for a host of reasons. It helps to promote gender equality in your classroom and society as a whole by highlighting the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history. This can help to challenge traditional gender stereotypes and encourage the female students in your classroom to believe in their own abilities and potential while reminding male students that girls are their equals in every way.
What's more, studying women's history can also give the kids in your classroom a more complete and accurate understanding of the past. Many traditional historical narratives have been focused on the actions and perspectives of men, which can lead to a distorted view of history. By learning about the experiences and perspectives of women, children gain a more nuanced and complete understanding of the past.
And that's not where it ends. Take a look at some of the other benefits of teaching women's history to your students:
- Learning about women's history teaches kids the importance of social justice, as they can understand and learn the struggles of women in the past and apply that knowledge to the present and future. This can help them to be more empathetic and compassionate individuals, and to work towards creating a more equal and just society — an important part of social and emotional learning.
- Women have made a lot of contributions to society but they have often been overlooked. Studying women's history allows children to know about these contributions and make them aware of the role women have played in shaping society and the world we live in today.
