“And though she be but little, she is fierce.” ― Shakespeare, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
It is Women’s History month. I actually did not know there was a Women’s History month. I sat down to type this out and, somehow, something popped up, I think on Amazon maybe…as I was procrastinating, and I thought huh, did not know that was a thing. But! In the event you did know this was a thing, because I’m so out of touch with so many things that are things, I have some pretty great resources that jive well with it.
“Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
This classic one-act play is based on the real-life trial of Margaret Hossack for the 1900 murder of her husband. It’s an engaging read that allows the students to piece together the mindset of the play’s protagonist, Mrs. Wright. My resource for it includes an original article on the murder trial, as well as the typical lives and roles of women at the time—which helps to further build the students’ background knowledge for the context of the play, not to mention their knowledge of general history. The culminating gallery walk is a fun activity that has students brainstorm their own symbolic trifles.
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
Okay, okay, I know I mentioned “Emily” not too many posts back, but it’s just so very classic. Plus, it also deals with a historical era and my resource includes relevant and helpful background information to get students into the right frame of mind for the setting. Miss Emily’s tragic and disturbed character is engaging for students as they get glimpses of her past, her family and her…well, let’s say eccentricities.
“Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl
Though not exactly the same genre as the aforementioned two, “Lamb to the Slaughter” is classic, dark Dahl, and this tale does not disappoint. My students have never failed to enjoy the story and the materials that go with it. “Lamb” is excellent to help build student skills with irony, and I include two post-reading activity options.
And if it just so happens that they all pique your interest! My Mistresses of Murder Bundle contains all three, for a discount, and a fun bundle bonus file that has students clinically diagnose the protagonists from a provided list of psychiatric disorders such as bi-polar disorder, borderline personality, depression, etc.
They’re fun lessons. Probably not what is had in mind with Women’s History month, hahaha, but they’re generally classroom pleasers for sure!
They may not be women, but these girls are fierce…in their own way, I suppose!…and they go down in history as some of the best as far as I’m concerned!
Happy Teaching!
M.D. Saints
Reading the Rapids
Liberty Dog Writing Co.