In 2020, the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission (WSCC) strove "to educate the American people about the efforts and undertakings of the women's suffrage movement in the United States in a nonpartisan fashion." The occasion was the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment--Women's Suffrage Rights to the U.S. Constitution. This article…

After analyzing state standards and textbook excerpts, all the fourth graders in Ms. Yoo's classroom convened and discussed why the nonwhite suffragists were missing and what they could do about it. The students agreed that textbooks and standards "can't include everybody," but they also concurred that the stories of Indigenous, Black,…

Election day is perhaps the most exciting day to teach elementary social studies. For a moment in time the entire nation, and most importantly our students, are captivated by the democratic process that will determine our next leaders. The 2020 election is particularly appealing because it coincides with the centennial of the passage of the 19th…

On August 18, 2020, The United States will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which gave women the vote. Belle La Follette played an important role in helping women gain the right to vote guaranteed in this amendment. She advocated for women in her home state of Wisconsin and across the country. This article…

At the turn of the 20th century, Pink Teas (alternately known as "suffrage teas") were held by women who championed women's right to vote. In this article, the author provides historical background on Pink Teas and ideas of how to teach about them in the elementary classroom.

Social studies educators have encouraged the use of primary sources and inquiry in the classroom for decades; however, inquiry-based instruction in which students engage meaningfully with primary sources remains the exception rather than the norm. The publication of the College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State…