March represents a smorgasbord month for fun activities in the classroom. March is full of birthdays, anniversaries, and has been declared Women’s History Month. Additionally, St. Patrick’s Day occurs on March 17th. Teachers, notably in Social Studies and History (or Language Arts) will find the month rich in opportunities.
Women’s History Month
Until the latter part of the 20th Century, the achievements and contributions of women in history were ignored or glossed over. With a month-long celebration of women in history, teachers can highlight these achievements, often within the guidelines of established curricula. Both Sandra Day O’Conner and Ruth Bader Ginsberg were born in March. Teachers can use these two women to discuss the United States Supreme Court. Why was the nomination of Sandra Day O’Conner so significant? Will Justice Ginsberg’s recent treatments for pancreatic cancer affect her ability in the current court session?
Women throughout either European History or American History can be the focal points of lesson plans: Francis Perkins’ contributions to FDR’s New Deal; Susan B. Anthony’s quest for equal rights; Rosa Parks’ refusal to accept racial discrimination. Teachers can assign notable women to individual students or small groups to develop classroom presentations. Ultimately, students should reflect on why it took so long to recognize women.
March Birthdays in History
March provides a plethora of distinguished remembrances, each of which lends itself to classroom activities and creative lesson plans. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) was born on March 2nd. History students examining World War II might be asked to peruse and reply to Dr. Seuss Goes to War [Richard Minear, New Press, 2001]. Language Arts students can ponder the statement that Dr. Seuss “became synonymous with learning to read”[(Robert A Nolan, Born This Day, McFarland, 1996].
Other March birthdays include Michelangelo, Alexander Graham Bell, Andrew Jackson, Mikhail Gorbachev, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., and Cesar Chavez. A study and discussion of Cesar Chavez can include his commitments to migrant workers in order to achieve higher wages and ethical treatment. The life of Cesar Chavez can produce lesson plans steeped in social justice themes while allowing for discussion of the migrant farming issues tied to illegal immigration.
Historical Anniversaries
In March 1983, President Ronald Reagan unveiled his Strategic Defense Initiative or SDI during the annual State of the Union Address. Sensing United States’ efforts to achieve a “first strike” capability, the Soviet Union ended arms control talks and the Cold War got colder – until Mikhail Gorbachev, a March birthday, introduced the notions of Glasnost and Perestroika. In all of this, teachers can find a virtual treasure trove of “cause and effect” activities as well as meaningful research and discussion regarding “Star Wars” technology.
March is also the anniversary of the infamous Dred Scott Decision. Even if history classes are beyond the late 1850s, the implications of the decision can be tied into the 14th Amendment, Plessey v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education. No discussion of Civil Rights is complete with an elongated reference to the 1857 Taney decision.
Teachers can research other historical and literary “firsts” that happened in March in order to enhance existing lesson plans or create new activities using the relevance of March anniversaries and birthdays. This can even include cross-disciplinary education: J. S. Bach was born in March as was the great Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
March Madness is More than College Basketball
March presents teachers with a variety of historical connections to enhance or better define lesson plans, from the first walk in space to the birthday of Werner von Braun. Learning can be fun if it is meaningful and students feel a personal connection. March is the month to kindle those passions.
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