The Pedagogical Planner

With March just a few days away, there’s no better time to gather your favorite books to celebrate Women’s History Month. In the classroom, we honor strong female leaders who have shaped history. Below are a few top picks from our 3rd and 4th grade teams.

The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps

I highly recommend sharing The Watcher by Jeanette Winter with your class. Students love learning about Jane Goodall and the chimpanzees she dedicated her life to. This wonderful biography is also a great way to start conversations about conservation and the need to protect these fascinating animals from extinction.

I Dissent

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was one inspiring woman, and what better time to celebrate her life than during Women’s History Month? From fighting for equality to protecting the rights of immigrants and everything in between, this amazing biography of RBG goes to show that disagreeing doesn’t make you disagreeable.

Malala’s Magic Pencil

Malala’s Magic Pencil is a wonderful story written by Malala Yousafzai herself. In this autobiography, Malala does a wonderful job of explaining the hardships she faced as a young girl in a kid-friendly, yet meaningful way.

For the Right to Learn

For the Right to Learn by Rebecca Ann Langston-George is an amazing biography that I like to pair with Malala’s Magic Pencil. Together, these are fabulous mentor texts for introducing firsthand and secondhand accounts.

Shark Lady

Shark Lady by Jess Keating is one of my favorite books advocating for women in science. This book tells the story of Eugenie Clark and how her passion for studying sharks showed that women could and SHOULD do anything they set their minds to.

Brave Girl

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel tells about one very brave little immigrant girl who took a stand for justice and led the strike of women workers. Elementary students of all ages will enjoy this phenomenal picture book!

The Leaf Detective

The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest by Heather Lang tells the amazing story of Meg Lowman. Despite the discouragement and resistance she received from male teachers, she didn’t give up on her future as a scientist investigating the mysteries of the rainforest.

Elizabeth Leads the Way

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote by Tanya Lee Stone tells about the amazing Elizabeth Stanton and how her bravery and persistence changed America for the better. Elizabeth’s fight for women’s rights is a topic that students of all ages can find inspiration in. This book provides a great lesson opportunity on women’s suffrage as well!

Shaking Things Up

Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood is an inspiring collection of poetry that celebrates strong, persistent women who have shaped history. This book is a must-have for any poetry unit, or for Women’s History Month

Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly tells the amazing story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden. During the 1950s, women and African Americans were limited to few roles in society. Against all odds, these four brilliant women helped NASA launch the first men into space.

More Top Picks for March

• Fiona’s Lace by Patricia Polacco
• O’Sullivan Stew
• Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman
• Salt in His Shoes
• The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
• Hoop Genius
• The Gardener
• Wilma Unlimited
• On a Beam of Light
• The Tree Lady
• The Girl Who Thought in Pictures
• She Persisted
• Counting on Katherine

I hope you enjoy!