Celebrating Women's History Month in the Elementary Classroom — THE CLASSROOM NOOK (2024)

March is Women's History Month! It's a month-long celebration of all the amazing things women have accomplished throughout history. As elementary teachers, we have the chance to inspire our students from an early age by teaching them about the incredible contributions of women throughout time. In this blog post, we'll share some fun and easy ideas for celebrating Women's History Month in your classroom. Let's show our students just how awesome women can be!

First off, let's focus on the women themselves. Who are some of the amazing women you want to highlight? Although it’s impossible to comprehensively include all the amazing women that have made an impact throughout history we want to be sure that our list includes women from all walks of life, different times in history, and diverse in race, religion, and cause.

Here are some of our favorite Women to Highlight During Women’s History Month :

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, often referred to as AOC, is a young and dynamic politician who serves in the United States House of Representatives. She is known for being an advocate for progressive policies, such as universal healthcare and fighting climate change.

Amelia Earhart was a pioneering aviator and feminist icon who inspired generations of women to follow their dreams. She accomplished many firsts in aviation history, including becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Her courage, determination, and passion for flying made her a role model for women around the world.

Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who gained international fame after her diary, which she wrote while in hiding during World War II, was published posthumously. During their time in hiding, Anne wrote in her diary about her life in the secret annex, her thoughts and feelings, and her dreams for the future.

Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese physicist who made many important contributions to the field of nuclear physics. Wu worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II and helped develop the atomic bombs. Later, she researched beta decay and conducted an important experiment that proved a theory by two other scientists.

Coretta Scott King was an American civil rights activist who fought for equality and justice for all people, regardless of their race or gender. She was the wife of the famous civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., but she was also a powerful activist in her own right. After her husband's assassination, Coretta continued to work tirelessly to eliminate racial segregation, discrimination, and inequality in education, voting, housing, and employment.

Dolores Huerta is an American civil rights activist who has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of others. She worked alongside Cesar Chavez to co-found the United Farm Workers and advocate for fair working conditions and wages for farm workers in California.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist who is widely regarded as one of the most influential First Ladies in US history. She was married to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and played a significant role in his political career, serving as an advisor and advocate for social justice and human rights.

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist known for her vibrant and colorful self-portraits. She was born in 1907 and suffered from health problems throughout her life, including a debilitating bus accident that left her in constant pain. Despite her challenges, Kahlo persevered and used art as a way to express herself and explore her identity as a Mexican woman.

Jane Goodall is a world-renowned primatologist, conservationist, and advocate for animal rights. She is best known for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park, where she spent many years studying their behavior and social interactions.

Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney who made history in 2020 by becoming the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to be elected as the Vice President of the United States. Harris is known for her powerful speeches and for breaking down barriers for women and minorities in politics.

Mae Jemison is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. She made history in 1992 when she became the first Black American woman to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She also founded The Jemison Group, a technology and consulting company, and the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, which supports education and cultural initiatives.

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for women's education and the youngest Nobel Prize winner. She gained international recognition after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012, when she was just 15 years old, for speaking out against their ban on girls' education in Pakistan's Swat Valley. Since then, she has become a global advocate for girls' education, women's rights, and human rights.

Maria Tallchief was a renowned American ballerina of Osage ancestry, born in 1925 in Oklahoma. She is widely considered one of the greatest American ballerinas of all time, known for her technical precision, graceful movements, and captivating stage presence.

Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and celebrated writers of the 20th century.

Michelle Kwan is a retired American figure skater who is widely considered one of the greatest figure skaters in history. Today, she is an advocate for education and sports diplomacy, and continues to inspire young people around the world.

Michelle Obama is a lawyer, author, and former First Lady of the United States. Michelle Obama became a public figure during her husband Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008 and continued to advocate for various causes during her time as First Lady, including healthy eating and education for girls.

Ruby Bridges is an American civil rights activist who is known for being one of the first African American children to attend an all-white elementary school in the South. Her enrollment sparked protests and boycotts, and she was escorted to school by federal marshals for her safety. Despite facing daily harassment and discrimination, Ruby continued to attend school and receive her education.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in 2020. She was a trailblazing advocate for gender equality and women's rights, and played a pivotal role in advancing these causes throughout her career as a lawyer and judge.

Sacagawea was a Shoshone woman who played a vital role in the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition, which explored the newly acquired territory of the United States in the early 1800s. She served as an interpreter and guide, helping the explorers navigate the difficult terrain and communicate with Native American tribes they encountered along the way.

Serena Williams is an American professional tennis player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Off the court, she is an advocate for women's rights and social justice, and has used her platform to promote equality and diversity in sports and beyond.

Sonia Sotomayor is an American lawyer and jurist who became the first Hispanic person to serve as a United States Supreme Court Justice. In 2009, she was nominated by President Barack Obama to the Supreme Court and was confirmed by the Senate later that year. Sotomayor is known for her focus on issues related to civil rights, including racial and gender discrimination.

Susan B. Anthony was an American suffragist, abolitionist, and women's rights activist. She played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement, dedicating her life to advocating for women's right to vote. Today, Anthony is remembered as a trailblazer for women's rights and a symbol of the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist who dedicated her life to promoting sustainable development, democracy, and peace. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement, an organization that has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya and helped empower rural women through education and entrepreneurship. Maathai was also the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

Of course, it's important to acknowledge that women's history isn't just about famous figures - it's about everyday women who have made a difference in their own small way. Ask your students to think about the women in their own lives who have inspired them, whether it's a mother, grandmother, teacher, or friend. You could even have them write letters of appreciation to these women, letting them know how much they mean to them. Focus on local women in your community such as broadcast journalists, community activities, educators, and local artists who are making an impact in your city, town, or state.

Picture books are a fantastic way to engage young learners in Women's History Month. Not only are they colorful and eye-catching, but they also provide an accessible entry point for students to learn about historical figures and events.

Here are a few picture books that can be used to teach Women's History Month in the elementary classroom:

"Mae Among the Stars" by Roda Ahmed

"Mae Among the Stars" tells the story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to go to space. The book follows Mae's childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, her struggles to overcome obstacles and discrimination, and her eventual success in achieving her dream. The book encourages children to follow their passions and not let obstacles stand in their way.

Using picture books to teach Women's History Month is a great way to engage students in the stories of historical figures and events. These books help to make history accessible and relatable, while also providing students with positive role models to look up to. With the right picture books, students can gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and accomplishments of women throughout history.

Let's explore some creative ideas to celebrate women's history with your students. There are numerous ways to express appreciation for women's history through art, music, and writing. Encourage your students to unleash their creativity and explore new possibilities.

For instance, you could prompt your students to write a poem or a song about their favorite woman in history, highlighting her achievements and impact on society. Take it a step further and have them create a video of them performing their poem or song.

Alternatively, you could have your students create a visual representation of famous women from different eras by making a collage or drawing portraits.

Another idea is to organize a dress-up day where everyone dresses up as their favorite woman in history, giving students the opportunity to learn more about the women they admire and share their stories with others.

Have students engage in book clubs. Using one of the books listed above, or one of your own favorites not listed, organize students into book clubs to read and discuss books about amazing women. Learn more about how to host book clubs here.

Host a gallery walk! Collect books, articles, videos, pictures, and other artifacts for a variety of women and create stations for students to explore to learn about different women. Learn more about gallery walks here.

Invite local women who are making an impact to come in to your classroom. Have them share about the causes they work for and about the contributions they are making in your local communities.

Have students interview an important woman in their life. Turn this in to a writing activity by having students craft the interview questions and record the responses of the person that they are interviewing.

Want to make sure your providing top-notch 21st century instruction? Incorporate multimedia! From video, to audio and digital activities, learning about Women’s History Month can be as interactive as you’d like it to be!

Here are some of our favorite videos about women who have made or are continue to make an impact in our world:

Mae Jemison: First African American Woman in Space

Chien-Shiung Wu: The First Lady of Physics

Ruby Bridges, Age 6, Integrates New Orleans School

Sacagawea - Explorer

Malala Yousafzai | The Youngest Nobel Prize Winner

What Happened to Amelia Earhart?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Made By Her: Monumental Women

Maria Tallchief: America's First Prima Ballerina

Michelle Kwan Story

Interactive Biography Research

If multimedia instruction is what you’re looking for, then check out our latest series of LINKtivities: Mini Biographies — and just in time for Women’s History Month! We just uploaded over 20 Mini-Biographies all about amazing women into our LINKtivity Learning library

New to LINKtivities? Check out this post!

We wanted to make celebrating Women’s History Month in your classroom a breeze (and fun!). Inside each of our Mini-Biography LINKtivities on women you’re students will learn about each woman’s early life as well as their accomplishments and contributions.

With each LINKtivity, students can complete a simple recording sheet! Grab your FREE copy of the recording sheet HERE.

Here are some fun ways to use these LINKtivities:

1. Research Project: Assign, or have students choose, a woman from our collection of women biographies. Students can use the LINKtivity to learn about their figure, complete their recording sheet, and then teach their classmates. Students can also take it a step further and create a poster, PowerPoint presentation, or another visual representation to share with the class.

2. Morning Work/Bell Work: With enough women in our library to last you all month, students can explore a new figure each day during Women’s History Month!

3. Morning Meeting: Start your day off with inspiration! If you host a morning meaning each day with your students, highlight a new LINKtivity each day featuring a different woman, and work through the LINKtivity together! Since each Mini-LINKtivity is, well… mini… working through one LINKtivity each day will only take a few minutes!

4. Fast Finishers: We all have those students who finish their work earlier and need something to keep them engaged while they wait for the rest of the class to catch up! This quick LINKtivities are the perfect time filler with purpose!

5. At-Home Exploration: Since LINKtivities can be accessed from any digital device with internet - simply send home the links to one more LINKtivities for your students to extend learning outside of the school day!

Become a member of LINKtivity Learning today and get access to our HUGE, growing library of LINKtivities in all content areas!