HISTORY OF FAMOUS WOMEN
By: Louise M. Giannini

The overall objective for this lesson is not only familiarity with women who are famous because they have made major contributions to society, but also that students identify with these women in terms of their character and the obstacles they face in achieving their goals in life and work.

STANDARD: All students will be able to identify and recognize Famous Women (past and present) who have made outstanding contributions throughout the world in science, math, medicine, business, politics, etc.

GRADE LEVEL: 3-6, Guidance, Language Arts, Reading

OBJECTIVE(S):

1. Students will become aware that many women have set very positive examples in non-traditional careers.
2. Students will read with purpose: to learn about a female person who has held a job or been in a field that also interests them.
3. Students will learn about the kinds of obstacles or problems these women had to overcome, and what made them famous. They may learn a new (non-media oriented) definition of "fame,"
4. Students will achieve the standards/criteria set through rubrics for oral presentations, writing, and writing of book reports.

TIME: 3 or 4 Class Periods

MATERIALS: There are numerous books about famous women in libraries. Some of them are listed below. Also consult the Women Studies department at Colleges and Universities.

• Christe McAuliffee -- Pioneer Space Teacher
• Mary Cleare -- Astronaut
• Lolly Cochran -- Veterinarian
• Julie Morgan -- Architect of Dreams
• Elizabeth Blackwell -- First Woman Doctor
• American Women in Science -- Biographies
• U.S. Astronaut Sally Ride -- To Space and Back
• How High the Sky? How Far the Moon?
• Video Cassette: Four Women in Science

PROCEDURES:

1. The teacher will provide the students with a preliminary listing of publications and audio-visual materials on Famous Women. Students will review this listing and discuss why they have selected a particular book.
2. Students will answer the following questions:
   What interests me about this person?
   What are my goals in reading this book?
   What will I focus on as I read?
   What do I hope to learn about:
1. this person?
2. the work this person accomplished?
3. what obstacles did this person overcome and how did she overcome them?
3. After this initial assessment, students will be given two weeks in which to read their selected books and answer their initial questions, which they will review orally in class. A written copy of the answers will be attached to their book reports.
4. Students will be given an additional week to word process their book reports which must meet the criteria of the established rubric.

ASSESSMENT: Assessment will be based upon:

1. Rubric criteria for oral report.
2. How well they answer their own questions for reading (see above #1)
3. How well they meet the rubric criteria for the book report.