Celebrating Women’s Equality Day (August 26) in the classroom is a fantastic opportunity to promote an understanding of gender equality and the historical—and continuing—fight for women’s rights. The following activities and discussion ideas will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of gender equality while helping them make personal connections to the topic.
- Guest Speaker and Panel Discussions
It’s always a valuable use of instructional time when students to get the opportunity to connect what they’re learning in the classroom with life outside of school. For this occasion, you could invite women from different professions to speak about their experiences and challenges in their fields. If possible, include a variety of vocations, such as scientists, activists, artists, business leaders, and more.
- Interviews
Assign students the task of interviewing a woman who has impacted their lives in a positive way. As a class, create a list of possible interview questions, keeping in mind the themes of gender equality and activism. After students have completed their interviews, you can give them options for how they want to present what they learned, such as writing a paper, creating a digital slideshow, or making a video clip.
- Book Talk
There is a plethora of books for all age groups on the topic of women’s equality. A few excellent titles include Rad Women Worldwide by Kate Schatz, She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton, and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo. Choose one or two of these to read as a class and discuss on Women’s Equality Day.
- Creative Expressions
Ask students to put on their creativity caps to write, draw, sculpt, paint, or digitally create a product from the perspective of a historical figure who was involved in the struggle for gender equality and the women’s rights movement.
- Personal Reflection
Assign students to reflect upon and express their own personal experiences with gender equality or inequality. In small groups, have students discuss their perspectives and/or understanding of this issue. What advances in this area have they witnessed? Additionally, student should think about what challenges still exist, not just in their own communities, but in different parts of the world.
By Kelli Drummer-Avendano
Also read: International Women’s Day Recognizes Women’s Fight for Equality
