March is Women’s History Month which coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8th. It’s a time to honor the achievements of remarkable women from around the world throughout history. This round-up of Women’s History Month activities celebrates artists, scientists, leaders and more women who have made their mark. They will open the door to deeper discussions about the challenges women have faced (and continue to face) and the impressive achievements they have nevertheless achieved.
1. Read great books about great women
Make stories, books, or independent reading lessons about strong women with this roundup of incredible books. You will teach children the inspiring lives of women from all over the world.
Learn more: 32 Inspiring Books for Women’s History Month
2. Check out the Makers documentation
These documentaries share the stories of powerful and intelligent modern women in science, business, politics, art and other fields who are changing the world for the better.
Learn more: Makers Channel on YouTube
3. Share new facts every day
Start your class day with these fascinating facts about women and use them as a starting point for discussions or other activities related to Women’s History Month.
Learn more: 25 Facts About Women’s History Month for Kids
4. Host a wax museum in the classroom
This is such a fun, engaging project. It really encourages your students to introduce themselves as the famous historical person they are studying. Girls will love being inspired by the amazing women who have led the way!
Learn more: Two sharp pencils
5. Post a Women’s History Month bulletin board
Display a corkboard to help your students reflect on women’s achievements. Even better? Have your students create and set up their own bulletin board!
Learn more: 10 Amazing Bulletin Boards Celebrating All Things Their Story
6. Make an accordion book of great moments
This is a nice way to document the achievements of women throughout history. Students can work in groups to complete specific eras, or each can create their own accordion book about the women who inspire them the most.
Learn more: Fantasy Soup
7. Be inspired by female illustrators
In the more than 80 years since the Caldecott Medal was introduced, only about a quarter of the outstanding illustrators it celebrates have been women. Take some time to share powerful female illustrators with your students. Then let them choose a woman whose style they really like and try to create their own illustrations in the same way.
Learn more: 21 Female Illustrators You Need to Add to Your Classroom Library
8. Use BrainPOP’s Women’s History unit
BrainPOP offers a huge collection of free movies, texts, games and lessons about famous women in history. You can build an entire story unit on it, or ask each student to choose a woman from the list and do the activities in it. This is a really cool way to personalize the learning experience.
Learn more: BrainPOP Women’s History Unit
9. Listen to an inspirational podcast
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is one of our personal favorite podcasts, but this list contains all sorts of fascinating podcasts about women. After listening to a few, challenge students to create their own podcast about a woman who inspires them.
Learn more: Best Podcasts for Women’s History Month
10. Study poets
Have students choose a poem by a poet and then dig deep. Explore the context of why the poet wrote on this particular subject and how it was received by critics and the general public at the time. Encourage creativity by asking students to write their own poems on the same subject or in a similar style.
Learn more: Edutopia
11. Try a word search in women’s history
Give students this quick word search (perfect as a hunchback activity). When they’re done, brainstorm a large list of other words that could be added to a puzzle like this.
Find out more: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
12. Play games with women
Add these games to your classroom library and kids can learn while they play. Everyone celebrates strong and inspiring women, past and present.
Learn more: 9 Inspiring Board Games About Women Throughout History/Underdog Games
13. Discover women scientists through books and activities
These 16 different women have had a huge impact on the world of science. Explore each with book suggestions and Women’s History Month activities so kids can see the world through their incredible eyes.
Learn more: 16 wonderful women scientists inspiring your students
14. Collaborate on a famous face poster
This project not only celebrates women, it also shows the power of collaboration! When you’re done you’ll have an impressive piece to display in the school’s hallways.
Find out more: Art with Jenny K.
15. Craft Perler Beaded Women
how cute are these You can get free patterns for each at the link, but kids can also use their imaginations and design their own. This is one of our favorite craft activities during Women’s History Month!
Learn more: Perler
16. Complete a pennant research project
This is a fun twist on the traditional research project. Children choose a woman to focus on and create a pennant depicting her life and achievements.
Learn more: Study All Knight: Biography Project on Woman History
17. Make a paper blanket
Learn about the enslaved quilters of Gee’s Bend, who used scraps of fabric to create warm, colorful quilts for their families. Then gather some construction paper scraps to create the students’ own designs.
Learn more: Sew this is life
18. Visit a local site that honors women
Take a field trip to a place near you that celebrates women in history. The National Park Service has a nice list to inspire you (including the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York).
Learn more: National Historic Sites Honoring Women
19. Take a virtual field trip
For now, the National Women’s History Museum only exists online. But they have an extensive collection of virtual exhibits to explore, on topics ranging from women in STEM to women in the Olympics.
Learn more: National Women’s History Museum
20. Put your stamp on the story
First, check out Fact Monster’s list of women who left their “stamps” in history and see all the women who have been featured on US postage stamps. Then have the children choose a woman who has not yet been introduced and create their own stamp in her likeness.
Find out more: Leave your mark on history
21. Sketch a Google Doodle
First, take a look at Google’s vast archive of daily doodles. Have students choose one they have never seen and learn more about the woman it represents. Then have the children draw their own Google Doodle, including the accompanying information they would provide to explain more.
More information: Google Doodles archive
22. Respond to requests to write women’s stories
These 12 writing prompts are thought-provoking and you can use them with students from high school through high school.
Learn more: Writing Command Prompts at Woo Jr.
23. Look through a DIY telescope
Learn about pioneering female astronomers like Maria Mitchell, Caroline Herschel, and Annie Jump Cannon. Then build your own do-it-yourself refractor telescope using inexpensive materials and see what you can spot in the sky!
Find out more: Storm the Castle
24. Write with a magic pen
Read Malala’s magic pen with your class, then craft your own magic pen. Encourage children to dream of what they would draw or write if they knew the things they drew could come true.
Learn more: MaiStory book
25. Recycle an astronaut helmet
Celebrate Sally Ride – the first American woman in space – and other female astronauts by making this astronaut helmet from recyclable materials. It’s perfect for imagining yourself flying through space one day!
Find out more: Astronaut Helmet at Woo! jr
26. Learning to code with the women from Hidden Figures
The women of the hit book and film Hidden Figures made it possible for men to fly to the moon. What better way to learn more about them than by playing this fun programming game?
Find out more: Carly & Adam
27. Plant a tree
Follow in the footsteps of Kate Sessions and Wangari Maathai, two women who knew the importance of planting trees. Learn how to properly plant a tree, including choosing a tree that will grow well in your area. Hold a ceremony to dedicate the tree to Sessions, Maathai, or a local woman deserving of the honor.
Learn more: How to plant a tree
28. Put together a Frida Kahlo-inspired self-portrait
This beautiful art project works in mixed media and kids will be amazed by the amazing results. Learn about Kahlo and her unique life as you work.
Learn more: Self-Portrait at Woo Jr.
29. Match flowers Yayoi Kusama style
Yayoi Kusama’s style really appeals to children, so they will have fun making paper flowers inspired by her creations. Dot stickers make the whole project even easier!
Find out more: Lotta Magazine
30. Explore the deep sea and outer space
Kathy Sullivan is a truly remarkable woman. She made history by becoming both an astronaut and a deep sea diver! Learn about this explorer’s inspirational story with resources including text function sheets, vocabulary, a NASA video, and a quiz for middle and high school students.
Source: Scholastic
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