I originally created OLLIs when schools in my province of British Columbia shut down last spring due to Covid19. While we are now back in class, I know there are many districts still juggling virtual and in-class support. These OLLIs can be used both in class and virtually person. Either way, I hope you find some ideas that you can use with your students to lighten your load just a little this year!
Here is a list of the previous OLLI lessons and anchor books in case you missed any of them:
OLLI#1 (The Hike)
OLLI#2. (If I Could Build A School)
OLLIE#3 (Mother’s Day)
OLLI#4 (Everybody Needs a Rock)
OLLI #5 – (WANTED: Criminals of the Animal Kingdom)
OLLI #6 – (Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt)
OLLI #7 (All About Feelings – “Keep it! – Calm it! – Courage it!)
OLLI #8 (I’m Talking DAD! – lesson for Father’s Day)
OLLI #9 (Be Happy Right Now!)
OLLI #10 – (Dusk Explorers)
OLLI#11 (If You Come to Earth)
OLLI #12 (Map of Good Memories)
OLLI #13 (Harvey Slumfenburger)
OLLI #14 (New Year’s Resolutions)
OLLI #15 ( 100 Things That Make Me Happy)
OLLIE #16 (Leaving Our Heartprints)
OLLIE #17 (The Sounds of Snow)
THE INSPIRATION:
March is Women’s History month and March 8th is International Women’s Day. That means it’s time to celebrate all the amazing women who have lead, marched, developed, thought, created, transformed, and inspired their way into the world with her tenacity, wisdom, and grit. How will you celebrate? Why not share some great picture books about great women with your students this month and start the conversation about gender equality and celebrate some inspiring women trail blazers!
THE ANCHOR BOOK:
It’s difficult to recommend just one single title for this OLLI lesson because there are just SO many picture books celebrating women trail blazers you could use! I’ve provided a list of books about inspiring women and created a few different templates that can work with ANY of the books. It may come down to what book(s) you have access from your school or classroom collection!
THE LESSON:
- Write the phrase “Boys Are Best!” on the board. (this will no doubt cause a bit of an uproar in your class!)
- Invite someone to read the statement out loud. Ask students if they agree with the statement or not. Take a vote – who agrees? who disagrees? (likely you will have a mix of opinions)
- Explain that when you have an opinion about something, you will need to be able to explain why you feel that way. Invite students who “agreed” to explain why they think this and those who “disagree” to explain why.
- Ask students to think about what feelings they get when they read this (angry, horrified, happy, frustrated, embarrassed, disappointed, confused, proud)
- Write the word “equality” on the board. (Depending on the grade you teach, introduce your students to the terms “gender equality”) Ask the students what they think it means. (everyone treated equally, men and women treated equally)
- Explain that looking back in history, women were not treated equally to men. Discuss ways that they may have not been treated equally: fewer job opportunities, unequal pay, not allowed to drive, vote, or go to school.
- It’s important that this is not about one gender being better than the other – but that everyone has the right to be treated equally.
- Tell the students that there have been many women all over the world, who have stood up and fought for their rights; who have stood up to inequality and paved the way for other women to be treated better.
- Read any book from the list below to share the story of a women who stood up for her rights and or paved the way for others. Use the templates below for follow up responses.
- Students can draw a portrait of their trail blazer and write a short description about them including. When writing about a famous person, I like to give students the frame: “Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? WOW!”
Use the template here for Primary students
Use the template here for Intermediate students.
Use the template for creating a Newspaper article for your Trail Blazer Woman – HERE
Lesson Extensions
- Continue sharing books about inspiring women throughout the month. Create a “Trail Blazer” bulletin board, featuring different women and what their inspiring stories.
- Older students could choose a women they are interested in and do further research and writing about them
- Students can write a persuasive essay about who they feel is the most inspiring woman and why.
Picture Books for International Women’s Day:
Below are my GearPicks for introducing gender equality and celebrating the many trail blazers who have inspired us all to stand up and make our voice heard. If you do not have access to the physical book, try searching on YouTube for a read aloud version.
No Difference Between Us – Jayneen Sanders
My First Book of Feminism – Julie Merberg (board books)
Princess Smartypants – Babette Cole
The Paper Bag Princess – Robert Munsch
ABC What Can She Be? – Sugar Snap Studio
A is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World – Eva Chen
Canadian Women Now and Then: More than 100 Stories of Fearless Trailblazers – Elizabeth MacLeod
Shaking Things Up – 14 Young Women Who Changed the World – Susan Hood
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls – Elenza Favilli
She Persisted – Chelsea Clinton
Jane Goodall: A Life with Chimps – Anita Ganeri
Malala – My Story of Standing up For Girls’ Rights – Malala Yousafzai
A Computer Named Katherine – Suzanne Slade
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 – Michelle Market
Rosa – Nikki Giovanni
Ada Twist, Scientist – Andrea Beaty
Meet Viola Desmond – Elizabeth Macleod
Mae Among the Stars – Roda Ahmead
Thanks for stopping by! To all the women out there – I celebrate you today. Thank you for all that you are doing each and every day to contribute to your family, your friends, your job, and your community.
You ROCK!