Procedures

• Step 1:

  Students may use the accompanying handout to take notes as they view the videos in this lesson and engage in class discussion.

  Handout: Women's Contributions in US History (Google Doc)

  As a class, brainstorm a list of women who have impacted U.S. history. Ask students to explain the accomplishments of these women as they build their list.

  View the following video clip for background information on the topic.

  Video Clip 1: Women's Contributions in US History (3:11)

  Rachel Vogelstein, National Women's History Museum, talks about the creation of a museum in Washington, DC to honor the contributions of women who shaped U.S. history.

• Step 2:

  Ask students to view the following collection of short videos and take notes on the accomplishments of women as they are highlighted. This can be done individually, in pairs or in groups.

  If working with partners, students can share the content of their video and their reactions after viewing them before engaging in whole class discussion.

  Video Clip 2: Nursing in the Civil War (2:21)

  Ashlee Anderson, Historian National Women's History Museum, explains how nursing evolved in the U.S. during the Civil War.

  Video Clip 3: Preserving Mount Vernon During the Civil War (1:50)

  Ashlee Anderson talks about Sarah Tracy's contributions to preserving Mount Vernon during the Civil War.

  Video Clip 4: Female Soldiers in the Civil War (1:12)

  Ashlee Anderson talks about female soldiers in the Civil War.

  Video Clip 5: Contrabands Camps (3:57)

  Ashlee Anderson explains the origin of contraband camps during the Civil War and women's roles in supporting them.

• Step 3:

  As a class, ask students to share what they learned about the women that were featured in the videos and their reflections on the significance of their historical contributions.

  Activity: Create your own classroom women's museum. Have students conduct research on a female who was discussed during class or explore someone who interests them.

  Digital Museum: Students create online profiles (Google Slides) of an historical female figure. This may include the following information:

  1. Images from the person's life
  2. Background information on the person - date and place of birth, family life
  3. Education Background
  4. Work Experience
  5. Accomplishment
  6. Impact

  Classroom Museum: Students can create an artifact to contribute. This could be a significant object that reflects the accomplishment of the female figure. A written explanation of the importance of the artifact should accompany it.

  Students can present their contribution to the museum as a class.