Celebrating International Women's Day

Monday, March 8th was International Women’s Day.  Classes from Kindergarten to High School took part in a series of discussions and activities organized by the International Women's Day Committee. 

The committee shared this overview with all students:

March 8th is International Women’s Day. We will mark this global day with discussions, thinking routines and activities in homeroom classes.

This day celebrates the contributions women around the world make every day; in schools, in companies, in organisations, in governments. We celebrate the great things women do in social, cultural and political areas.

It is also a day when women and their supporters (men, families, companies, organisations, voluntary groups) call for action for women’s rights. Sadly, in some parts of the world, girls are not treated equally to boys, (they may not have equal rights to education or freedom) women are not treated fairly. 

Seisen students, International Women’s Day belongs to you!

Kindergarten

Kindergarten students learned about the contributions of Maria Montessori through the "Little People, Big Dreams" book.   https://youtu.be/-Yv_kjcRvf4

They created a flower craft that includes the name of an important woman and attributes that describe her (helpful, kind, brave, hard working, etc.).

 

 

 

Elementary

Elementary students learned about women in their lives who are role models.  The learning engagements were differentiated to suit lower and upper elementary students.  

Students watched a couple of videos as a provocation before their discussions.

"History of International Women's Day" https://youtu.be/N0ZpG2JXZgQ

"8 year old girls share their visions for the future" https://youtu.be/98FxZ4Hjs98

In pairs and groups students discussed the following:

• Who is an important woman role model in your life that you can think of?
• Why is she important to you?
• What makes her special and unique?

 

• Who are the women - past or present, you admire?
• What great achievements by women do you know about?
• Why? What do they do? What have they achieved?
   

#ChooseToChallenge https://youtu.be/pHdNkpT954U

Brainstorm ways that we can make the world a better place for women and girls of all nationalities?

Middle School

Student began with a video provocation. "For International Women's Day 2021 and beyond will you #ChooseToChallenge​?" https://youtu.be/pHdNkpT954U

Middle School students were learning to recognize gender inequality and think about how we can make positive change. In pairs or small groups they brainstormed ways that we can make the world a better place for women and girls of all nationalities?
 

High School

High School students looked at an extract from the prose poem, "Be a Lady They Said" by Camille Rainville. They though closely about its word choice.

"Be a Lady They Said" https://vimeo.com/393253445

Student then create an infographic or poster that shows which words and phrases they have heard before, or been applied to themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

In groups students also discussed the following:

• What does it mean to be a woman in your culture and country?
• How can we, at Seisen, contribute to women’s empowerment?
• Is there a woman that inspires you? (Share her story and discuss how it applies here)
• How could you contribute your wisdom or ideas to empower other women?
• Have you faced any challenges (or privileges!) based on your gender?

They finished with this song connected to the them of #ChooseToChallenge. "
Choose To Challenge" Song https://youtu.be/YSIOxhAsWDU