Celebrating Women's History Month in the ELA Classroom
March is Women's History Month, and March 8 is International Women's Day. It is a wonderful time to celebrate the legacy of women who have impacted the world through their art, ideas, activism, research, and more. This post contains a collection of resources and activities to incorporate within your lessons. These activities are sure to spark meaningful conversations and inspire your students.
1. Fill your class library with books about inspiring women
Here's a list of books to consider adding to your library:
- Forward: My Story by Abby Wambach
- Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
- I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick
- Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! by Marley Dias
- The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris (Young Reader's Edition)
- Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Ari Folman (Adapter) and David Polonsky (Illustrator)
- Teen Trailblazers: 30 Fearless Girls Who Changed the World Before They Were 20 by Jennifer Calvert (Author) and Vesna Asanovic (Illustrator)
- Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
2. Start class with bell ringer quotes and mentor sentences
Celebrate Women's History Month in March with these mentor sentence bell ringers. This grammar and writing warm-up activity contains 15 inspiring quotes from women around the world, such as Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Malala Yousafzai, Mindy Kaling, Eleanor Roosevelt, and more.
For each quote, students will...
- Read the sentence aloud
- Write down initial observations they have based on previous grammar knowledge
- Label as many details in the sentence as they can, paying special attention to parts of speech, punctuation, sentence type, etc.
- Edit the quotes while trying to keep the original meaning
- Imitate the speaker's writing style while creating their own sentences
The worksheet packet comes with both full-color and grayscale printing options. Because each quote has 4 days worth of analysis activities, this packet could be used for a total of 60 days.
3. Research influential women and create biography posters
Celebrate Women's History Month by having your students research a person who made significant contributions to their communities, as well as the rest of the world. This printable 12 x 18 inch poster allows students to sketch an illustration of the person, write biographic information, summarize the figure's accomplishments, and summarize the person's life journey.
4. Listen to podcasts that feature stories about inspiring women
A few podcasts to consider:
5. Read poetry by diverse female poets
Poem Options:
“They Shut Me Up in Prose” by Emily Dickinson
“the sonnet-ballad” by Gwendolyn Brooks
“The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman
“Hope’ is the Thing with Feathers” by Emily Dickinson
“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
“Progress” by Rupi Kaur
6. Enjoy a word search puzzle with the names of historical figures
This print-and-go activity word search includes hidden terms like Parks, Curie, Teresa, Yousafzai, Kahlo, and more. It's perfect for a centers activity, early finisher challenge, bell work, or class party.
7. Relax with a coloring page that includes a quote by a famous woman
Celebrate Women's History Month by having your students decorate this coloring page with a meaningful quote from Ruth Bader Ginsburg that says, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception." This print-and-go activity is perfect for March bulletin board decor, an art class, a Women's History Month party, and more.
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