Creator: Newseum Digital Classroom | visit site
Grade Range: 8 - 11
The Newseum pulls together an enormous collection of primary sources about the women’s suffrage movement, with rich resources for using these primary sources in an educational setting. There is an interactive timeline, a "media map" that plots primary sources on a US map for a visual representation of the geography of the movement, and nearly a dozen lesson plans (including videos) that feature the use of primary sources to broaden understanding. The site requires registration to use, but there is no cost.
In the Classroom
It can be tempting to relegate resources like this one to a special unit during Women’s History Month, but the primary sources here need to be integrated throughout any study of civil rights in general and the importance of universal suffrage to a modern democracy. While the sources may all be related to the fight for votes for women, much of the content is also relevant in understanding the social and political history of the United States, particularly during the 19th and early 20th century. The lesson plans are comprehensive and include printable discussion guides and worksheets, as well as extension activities. They are standards aligned and Common Core compatible. For the extension activities, consider asking students to create a multimedia project rather than an essay. Enhance learning by using either Sway, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16373">reviewed here</a>, or Adobe Spark for Education, <a href="/single.cfm?id=18378">reviewed here</a>. Both of these tools will allow students to create a multimedia magazine or booklet and modify classroom technology use. You may also want to require students create a magazine cover using Magazine Cover Maker, <a href="/single.cfm?id=10011">reviewed here</a>, to summarize info in their magazine with titles and as a way for them to double check and make sure they are not missing any requirements.
At Home
Helping your teen access print media from before the Internet age offers them insight into their country’s history. Start a family discussion of how women influenced public opinion about suffrage before Facebook and other social media -- or how the struggle might have been different today.
Tags
civil rights, womens suffrage, women,
Subjects
American History, Government/Civics: U.S, Social Studies, Social Studies,