Lesson Plans
The Importance of Voting
Students consider the importance of voting as they analyze primary sources and the poem “One Vote” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. They then learn more about the connection between poetry and the woman suffrage movement. After, students may investigate a contemporary politician or activist advocating for voting rights and present their findings to the class.
Tactics in the March to Suffrage
Students examine the tactics supporters of the woman suffrage movement used in their long quest to gain the right to vote through primary source analysis, consider the effectiveness of various social movement strategies, and create their own tactical plan to affect change on an issue relevant to their own lives.
Suffrage Strategies: Voices for Votes
Students examine a variety of primary source documents related to the women's suffrage movement to identify different methods people used to influence and change attitudes and beliefs about suffrage for women. Students then create original documents encouraging citizens to vote in current elections.
Electoral College: Does Your Vote for President Count?
Students work in groups to analyze an historical newspaper article then investigate to understand the historical context of the Electoral College and consider its strengths and weaknesses. After, students continue their work together to investigate and opine on the pros and cons of the Electoral College today and possible solutions for reform.
Absentee Voting & Voting by Mail
Students study historical primary sources to gain context and perspective regarding absentee voting, including voting by mail, throughout U.S. history. After, students can investigate election voting laws and issues related to absentee voting and voting by mail to help them craft an editorial in support of or against these practices.
The Constitutional Amendment
Students analyze a primary source, focusing on author purpose and audience, to deepen their understanding of enfranchisement and the debate leading up to the passage of the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. After, students investigate the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and use what they've learned to create a poster that supports or opposes the compact.
The Fight for Women’s Rights
Students investigate the grievances listed in the Declaration of Sentiments presented at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, then research contemporary women in the news to assess the current state of women's rights.
Who Gets the Vote?
Students review the amendment clause of the U.S. Constitution, then analyze primary sources to deepen understanding of how constitutional voting (suffrage) amendments expanded the electorate and the rights of Americans. After, they'll research a current voting rights issue and write a letter to their U.S. congressman about their informed view of the issue.
Predicting & Inferring About Woman Suffrage
Link non-fiction literature with primary sources to build background knowledge of what it was like to be a suffragist and discover how women persistently fought for over 100 years until they were granted the right to vote. After, ask students to share a time when they showed persistence.
Around America to Win the Vote
Pair the picture book, Around America to Win the Vote, with primary sources to have students practice research skills, evaluate sources, and deepen understanding of voting rights, in general, and woman suffrage, in particular. After, students can consider the pros/cons of lowering the voting age to 16.