Typically, the seminar course has not followed a historical perspective to teach the transitional information students need in the 9th grade. When the CRAIGs are discussed, we usually go over them and break them down. However, a focus on women’s studies will be more engaging and allow students to visualize the CRAIGs as applied to specific problems and challenges, and what to do about them. Active empathy translates into new views and healthier actions.
Through this unit, students will learn a broad narrative of the women's rights movement in the United States and elsewhere. We will begin with the present as to why there are still issues with equality among men and women, and search back through history for its causes. My objective will be to correct students’ misinformation and to encourage them to understand why gender inequality in its various forms--political, economic, and social--persists to the present day.
The inspirational examples of influential women will teach students the behaviors needed to succeed in the world. Case studies, informed by the CRAIGs structure, will be our starting point. :
Compassion
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Princess Diana Well known for her royal status, Princess Diana used her popularity to address pressing issues such as poverty, Aids, and social inequalities of various kinds. Her empathy and compassion towards people in crisis inspired the hearts of millions.
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Respect
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Eleanor Roosevelt Often referred to as co-president during her tenure as FLOTUS, Mrs. Roosevelt was a champion for civil rights and other causes. As her husband became ill with polio, she often helped the president, serving as an inspirational example of a powerful and competent woman during a time of limited public female leadership.
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Integrity
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Rosa Parks: Often referred to as the change agent of the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks’ small act of bravery and integrity had a lasting impact, establishing roots for the eventual adoption of the Civil Rights Act in 1968.
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Action
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Harriet Tubman The conductor of the Underground Railroad, whose actions were fortified by grit, and determination. Her strength mentally and physically stands out as Tubman is celebrated for taking an active and courageous role in fighting injustice.
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Greatness
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Malala Yousafzai Her greatness came not from strength, but from courage. This teenager who was not afraid to stand up for unequal access to education faced by girls in the Middle East.
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Each case study will have several components to help illustrate the importance of CRAIGs for the pathway of women towards greater equality. Guiding questions will help the reader to see important acts of courage, and their effects on others. A vocabulary guide will help students who struggle with any tiered words in the readings. After the guided questions are completed and discussed as a whole group, the teacher may use further investigations such as small group or individual activities, research, and discussions to gain practice with primary sources.