First things first, are you familiar with the inquiry model? It's a type of instruction that let's students investigate problems and engage with primary material. The goal is to prepare students for college, career, and civic life. For elementary school teachers, New York State has helped you out! Your traditional social studies curriculum for the year could be completed and inquiry-based using the lesson plans linked in the button below. Check it out! Of course we want it to be representative curriculum, so we have more resources for your to consider and supplement.
*TIP: substitute male-centric documents or images for female-centric ones to make the inquiries more egalitarian. Ask yourself, how many BIPOC or LGBTQ+ folks are represented? Could that be more representative in the documents I provide?
*TIP: substitute male-centric documents or images for female-centric ones to make the inquiries more egalitarian. Ask yourself, how many BIPOC or LGBTQ+ folks are represented? Could that be more representative in the documents I provide?
New Hampshire Educators!
In fourth grade we teach New Hampshire history. Have you seen Moose on the Loose's resources? The New Hampshire Historical Society has ready-made inquiry lessons for you. Check them out!
In fourth grade we teach New Hampshire history. Have you seen Moose on the Loose's resources? The New Hampshire Historical Society has ready-made inquiry lessons for you. Check them out!
Lessons for Elementary School Teachers
From RHP
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How are women used to symbolize US ideals?
In this lesson elementary school children look at depictions of the US or it's ideals and wonder why women's bodies were used to represent these ideals. Symbols of the US include Columbia, Lady Liberty, and Lady Freedom. 
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How can we help women be healthier?
In this inquiry, young learners read short excerpts from women about their experiences going to doctors before the feminist movement and what challenges they experienced.
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From Others
Consider this lesson plan for elementary schoolers who have a textbook. In this lesson students evaluate the gender bias in it:
This lesson provides students an opportunity for students to participate authentically in a social scientific inquiry and to use a variety of literacy and social studies skills. The students demonstrated their ability to use text features and to critically analyze the contents of social studies textbook in terms of its attention to gender equality. Students’ motivation was high–they demonstrated natural curiosity about the question and frustration with their findings. We hope that this experience will build students’ capacities to critically examine other resources. We support students’ suggestion to “put more women in the book,” and we ask textbook publishers to consider answering these students’ call. At the same time, we know that representation is not merely a numbers issue. Rather, it encompasses complex issues of power, opportunity, and access; and the relative importance of political, social, and economic history.
This lesson provides students an opportunity for students to participate authentically in a social scientific inquiry and to use a variety of literacy and social studies skills. The students demonstrated their ability to use text features and to critically analyze the contents of social studies textbook in terms of its attention to gender equality. Students’ motivation was high–they demonstrated natural curiosity about the question and frustration with their findings. We hope that this experience will build students’ capacities to critically examine other resources. We support students’ suggestion to “put more women in the book,” and we ask textbook publishers to consider answering these students’ call. At the same time, we know that representation is not merely a numbers issue. Rather, it encompasses complex issues of power, opportunity, and access; and the relative importance of political, social, and economic history.
Women in the American Revolution:
In this lesson, students will conduct research to find out about the various ways colonial women participated in events leading up to and during the American Revolution. This research could extend over several days as students pursue information through books and/or the internet. Go to the lesson!
In this lesson, students will conduct research to find out about the various ways colonial women participated in events leading up to and during the American Revolution. This research could extend over several days as students pursue information through books and/or the internet. Go to the lesson!
Sojourner Truth's Aint I a Woman:
This primary source activity looks at the controversy over Truth's famous speech, "Ain't I A Woman." Go to the lesson!
This primary source activity looks at the controversy over Truth's famous speech, "Ain't I A Woman." Go to the lesson!
Women's Suffrage:
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the women’s suffrage movement in New York State as an example of how different groups of people have gained equal rights and freedoms over time. Through examining the role women played in society before the 20th century and the efforts made by women to gain the right to vote, students will be prepared to develop arguments supported by evidence that answer the compelling question “What did it take for women to be considered ‘equal’ to men in New York?” Subsequent inquiries could be developed around other groups who have struggled to gain rights and freedoms, including, but not limited to, Native Americans and African Americans. Go to the lesson!
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the women’s suffrage movement in New York State as an example of how different groups of people have gained equal rights and freedoms over time. Through examining the role women played in society before the 20th century and the efforts made by women to gain the right to vote, students will be prepared to develop arguments supported by evidence that answer the compelling question “What did it take for women to be considered ‘equal’ to men in New York?” Subsequent inquiries could be developed around other groups who have struggled to gain rights and freedoms, including, but not limited to, Native Americans and African Americans. Go to the lesson!
"Women's in Texas History" (WITH) has several lessons on women's history for students 4th grade.
- Women have served the people of Texas in many ways since the earliest days of the state’s settlement. Beginning in 1893, they organized and fought for the right to vote, which is called “woman’s suffrage or enfranchisement.” Women won this important right in 1919, when the Texas Legislature ratified the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution. Since then, women in Texas have run for, and won, political races. Today, women in the state continue to serve the public in many positions, including as members of the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. Go to the lesson!
- The history of Indian women in Texas goes back to the archeological record of the American Southwest. Their roles in their individual tribes touched every aspect of life, from the home to the larger community. Go to the lesson!
- Tejanas, who are Texas women of Spanish-Mexican origin, have been part of the history of Texas since 1700. Many of these women were mestizas. This means their ethnic heritage included Indians from Mexico and Texas, as well as Spanish people. Some of them also had African heritage. Go to the lesson!
Girls in STEM:
This lesson introduces students to Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. After her retirement from 1987, Ride dedicated her life to helping young people engage with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects. She stated that her early educational and career experiences influenced her commitment to the education of young people. Today, this integrated commitment to teaching both STEM and the arts (or the humanities, which includes literature) is called STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Go to the lesson!
This lesson introduces students to Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. After her retirement from 1987, Ride dedicated her life to helping young people engage with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects. She stated that her early educational and career experiences influenced her commitment to the education of young people. Today, this integrated commitment to teaching both STEM and the arts (or the humanities, which includes literature) is called STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Go to the lesson!
Girls in Sport:
Girls need role models if they are going to be inspired to participate in sports. They also need to counter stereotypes about girls and women in sports. This lesson introduces students to the subject of sports. Go to the lesson!
Girls need role models if they are going to be inspired to participate in sports. They also need to counter stereotypes about girls and women in sports. This lesson introduces students to the subject of sports. Go to the lesson!
Book Recommendations
A Mighty Girl
Check out A Mighty Girl, a website with all sorts of resources for young children, but we especially love the women's history section.
Carline PicksIn collaboration with Carline Picks' Janice Leigh Shelton, we are bringing you amazing books on women in history appropriate for a younger audience. Coming soon you can click on the image to read her review and get a link to Amazon!
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Janice Leigh Shelton is a former news producer, nonprofit communications director, and law school graduate. She grew up overseas and has lived in several countries, including Italy, Holland, and Mexico. She discovered her love of children’s books over a decade ago, when she became a mother herself. Janice is passionate about raising conscious kids and spreading kindness in the world—one book at a time. You can follow her instagram account @carlinepicks for more book recommendations.
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“One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.” –Malala Yousafza
Ted Talks about the importance of teaching women's history
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