Lesson Plan - Faces of Change

Watch the Video
Watch the videos “The U.S. Mint” and “The Struggle for Women’s Rights.” Then discuss: Why do you think the U.S. Mint decided to honor trailblazing women with the American Women Quarters Program? 

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• trailblazer
• advocate

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about which woman they might pick to appear on a U.S. quarter.

1. What is the purpose of the American Women Quarters Program?
The purpose of the American Women Quarters Program is to honor a diverse group of women who have made history. The article explains that these women “have made an impact on sports, space exploration, entertainment, the fight for women’s rights, and more.”
^{RI.4.2 Main Idea and Key Details}

2. According to the article, how did Ida B. Wells risk her life in her work as a journalist?
The article explains that Ida B. Wells risked her life in her work as a journalist when she was reporting on the murders of Black people who had been killed because of their skin color. Wells faced threats, and a mob even burned down the office of her newspaper.
^{RI.4.1 Text Evidence}

3. Choose two of the women featured in the article. Describe one way they or their experiences are similar and one way they are different.
Sample response: Ida B. Wells and Stacey Park Milbern were alike because they both spent their careers fighting to make the public aware of injustices and protect people’s rights. They did this in different ways. Wells wrote articles to educate people about the injustices Black Americans faced in the South. Milbern became an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.
^{RI.4.5 Comparison}

Featured Skill: Research
Distribute the skill builder “Share Her Story,” and have students research and write about an influential woman from history.
^{W.4.7 Research}