Women’s History Month Activities for Kids: Integrating Social Studies Standards into Literacy Centers
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I’m a complete nerd for thematic units.
I completely geek out at finding creative ways to learn about historical figures, science topics, or even literary elements during my Daily 5 centers.
Not to mention that all of the rotations (Work on Writing, Word Work, Read to Self, ect…) are the perfect canvas for building engaging and memorable thematic lessons. (Is this the first time you’ve heard of the Daily 5? CLICK HERE to find out more!)
Which is perfect because you are already battling an already-packed schedule.
Not to mention, thematic units are my all-time favorite hack for boosting student engagement, which is why I always look forward to Celebrating Women's History Month. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce students to brave, trailblazing women who changed history - the perfect way to peak engagement during a time of year when student productivity seems to be at an all-time low.
And here’s the best part, this is all possible without adding more to your plate
Why It’s Important to Integrate Social Studies Standards into Literacy Block
We don’t learn in silos.
Yet, as elementary teachers, we’re often asked to structure our days into neatly divided blocks of time. But let’s be honest, that’s NOT how learning actually happens.
Our brains are constantly working to make connections, and when we can relate new ideas to what we already know, that new learning is more likely to “stick”.
So, as teachers, why wouldn’t we use this to our advantage?
Honoring Women’s History Month presents the perfect opportunity to ditch the silos and integrate social studies content with literacy standards in a way that is both meaningful and impactful. I mean, what’s more impactful than students reading about real people who shaped history? While they are reading - pen in hand, diligently practicing their close reading protocol - they aren’t just practicing their literacy skills, they’re learning what it means to be bold, curious, and believe in their own potential.
Planning thematic learning experiences - such as incorporating Women’s History Month activities - isn’t about adding more to your plate, it’s about teaching smarter - weaving literacy and history together are engaged, excited, and actually learning.
Ideas to Celebrate Women’s History Month During Literacy Centers
Adding a little thematic flair to your literacy centers is like throwing sprinkles on an already delicious sundae—extra fun, extra engaging, and totally worth it.
But, if you’re anything like me when I get on a roll planning out a thematic unit - you’ve got a million ideas and zero extra hours to piece it all together.
Well, teacher friend, I’ve got you covered! Here are some simple, strategic ways to honor these incredible historical women and hit those literacy standards—without the overwhelm.
Deepen Understanding Through Writing Tasks
I love writing tasks.
They’re crazy flexible. You can connect them to literally any topic.
But the best part? They help students truly understand what they’re learning.
When kids write, they’re pulling from everything they know—mixing old knowledge with new insights, making connections, and reinforcing concepts in a way that just sticks.
Oh, and let’s be real—writing doesn’t have to be boring.
Just because students are studying historical figures doesn’t mean they should be stuck writing dry essays or basic paragraph responses. Instead, let’s bring history to life!
What if they wrote as that historical figure? Imagine journal entries from influential women reflecting on pivotal moments in their lives. Or a letter from Ruby Bridges, describing the emotions of walking into school on that first day.
This kind of creative writing does more than just build writing skills—it makes history real for students. It helps them step into the shoes of these figures, experience their struggles, and see the world through their eyes. And when that happens? Learning becomes unforgettable.
Develop Vocabulary Through Word Work Activities
When it comes to planning Women’s History Month activities for your students, the Word Work Center is a great place to start!
During this Daily 5 center, you can easily incorporate activities that build important, content-specific vocabulary—key to truly understanding the impact of these influential women in history.
Introduce words and terms related to Women’s History Month, such as advocate, hero, and activism. Try including vocabulary activities like exploring the meanings of these words in context, practicing spelling, or using them in sentences that connect to the biographies of inspiring women.
Pro tip: Post these words around the room or on your word wall so students can reference them all year long—not just in March!
Learn About Influential Women Through Informational Texts
I’m always trying to find ways for students to practice their comprehension skills.
Especially when it comes to informational texts.
My students love diving into our themed book bins during Read to Self, packed with biographies and historical texts that spotlight the incredible accomplishments of influential women. And for Listen to Reading? I carefully choose audiobooks that bring their stories to life—because nothing beats hearing the voices and experiences of these trailblazers.
But we don’t stop there.
I bring these powerful stories into small group instruction, using passages about these remarkable women to teach comprehension strategies in context. We’re not just answering questions—we’re making connections, analyzing perspectives, and really understanding their impact.
And here’s where it gets really fun—this is the perfect chance for students to sharpen their research skills! They can dive into their own investigations, write reports, hold discussions, or even create timelines that highlight major milestones in these women’s lives. It’s hands-on, engaging, and ties together social studies and reading comprehension in a way that sticks.
Bring Woman’s History into Your Literacy Centers
Planning a thematic unit to celebrate the accomplishments and bravery of influential women in history doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
You can totally incorporate lessons into your literacy block that are both meaningful and educational.
No more fluff assignments, my friend.
To make it easy for you, I’m sharing my favorite no-prep-needed literacy activities that celebrate influential women in history.
With my Women’s History Month Literacy Center Bundle, you’ll get everything you need—close reading tasks, engaging writing prompts, and more—featuring trailblazers like Rosa Parks, Bessie Coleman, and others. These ready-to-go activities align with social studies standards and inspire students to dive into history while boosting their literacy skills.
Because learning about these incredible women should be inspiring, easy to plan, and powerful for your students!
The Secret to Stress-Free Literacy Center Planning
Besides having amazing, ready-to-use lesson materials…
Let’s talk about the importance of a streamlined planning system for literacy centers. Because, let’s be real—planning your literacy block isn’t a one-and-done deal. It feels like you’re prepping for five different lessons all at once.
And honestly? Before I had a system in place, I felt like I was losing my mind trying to keep everything straight. Enter: my planning sheet. It completely changed the game for me, and I knew I had to share it with you.
With my FREE Daily 5/Literacy Center Planning Sheet, you’ll have everything you need—daily objectives, whole group lessons, and center activities—all organized in one easy-to-use place. No stress. No chaos. Just a plan that actually works.