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Library of Congress: Women's Suffrage
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Activity Description
In this activity, students learn about the history of Women’s Suffrage through the exploration of primary sources. The American Memory Collection’s Classroom Materials section features lesson plans, themed resources, primary source sets, presentations and activities, and collection connections. The Presentations & Activities section offers media-rich historical content or interactive opportunities for exploration to both teachers and students.
Preparation
- Make sure that the site is not blocked at your school.
- Preview the Example Web Site link to a Women's Sufferage lesson and get familiar with the Teachers Guide (pdf) offered and the many resources available.
- Under the Preparation link, you will find directions for creating primary source packets and Resources to be used in class discussions and projects.
- Look over the Procedure section for more help on the "How to".
- Go to the Primary Source Analysis Tool and print it.
How-To
- Read and discuss the Historical Background (found in the Teacher's Guide) with your students.
- Show some of the primary sources available from the site.
- Distribute the Primary Source Analysis Tool handout to your students.
- Discuss the primary sources and use this form to record your responses.
- Guide the students with the sample questions included in the Teacher's Guide to analyzing primary sources.
Teacher Tips
- Here you will find all primary sources teacher's guides
- On the Classroom Resources page, open the Themed Resources, Primary Source Sets, Presentations & Activities, and Collection Connections for different materials you can use in your classroom on other topics.
More Ways
- Review other lessons available using the Web Site link, immediately above. You can find them by topic, by era, or A-Z order.
- Check the many other possibilities under these links found on the left navigation menu: Teachers Home , Classroom Materials , Professional Development , TPS Partners , Using Primary Sources , and News and Events .
Program Areas
- ASE: High School Diploma
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
Levels
- Intermediate
- High
Lesson Plan
Activity:
- Ask students to share what they know about Women's Suffrage.
- Write their responses on the board.
Discussion: Show a short video clip or a few powerful images related to Women's Suffrage to stimulate interest and curiosity.
Overview: Briefly introduce the topic of Women's Suffrage and its significance in history.
Objective: Explain that students will explore primary sources to understand the historical context and impact of the Women's Suffrage movement.
Resource Introduction: Navigate to the American Memory Collection’s Classroom Materials section.
- Briefly explain the available resources, such as lesson plans, themed resources, primary source sets, presentations, and activities.
Historical Background: Read and discuss the historical background of Women's Suffrage from the Teacher's Guide.
Primary Sources: Show examples of primary sources available from the site, such as letters, photographs, and newspaper articles related to the Women's Suffrage movement.
Guided Analysis: Distribute the Primary Source Analysis Tool handout. Walk students through analyzing a primary source using the sample questions provided in the Teacher's Guide.
Group Activity: Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a different primary source packet related to Women's Suffrage.
Analysis Task:
- Each group uses the Primary Source Analysis Tool to analyze their assigned primary source.
- Encourage them to discuss their findings and record their responses.
Interactive Discussion: Groups share their analyses with the class, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Class Discussion: Summarize the main findings from each group’s analysis. Highlight key points and differing perspectives.
Assessment: Use a combination of the following to evaluate understanding:
- A short quiz on key facts and concepts that were discussed.
- A reflective paragraph where students express their thoughts on the importance of primary sources in understanding history.
Extension Activity: Have students select another topic related to Women's Suffrage (e.g., key figures, important events) and find additional primary sources using the American Memory Collection.
Project Work: Students create a mini-presentation or poster showcasing their findings and analyses. Encourage creativity and critical thinking in presenting historical information.
Documents
- Women's Suffrage.png - Screenshot of Women's Suffrage: Their Rights and Nothing Less Lesson
Subjects
- Social Studies
- American Government
- U.S. History
Standards
- Reading
- CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
- CCR Anchor 2 - Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
- CCR Anchor 3 - Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
- CCR Anchor 6 - Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
- CCR Anchor 10 - Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.