Last updated: August 5, 2021
Lesson Plan
HERstories of Cuyahoga Valley: the Suffrage Movement and Harriet Keeler

- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- Common Core Standards:
- 6-8.RH.2, 6-8.RH.4
Essential Question
How would you feel if you were told you were not allowed to vote, but others were?
What would you do about it?
Objective
Students will be able to read about, summarize, and discuss the life of Harriet Keeler with a focus on her activist work.
Preparation
Instructor should read over lesson plan and articles on Harriet Keeler before going over with students, taking into consideration student grouping and reading levels. Total preparation time: about 40 minutes.
Materials
Students will complete a biography template for Harriet Keeler including drawing or copying and pasting a picture of this woman.
Procedure
Do Now/Bell Work (10 min)
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Have students write down their answers to the following questions, then discuss:
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How would you feel if you were told you were not allowed to vote, but others were? What would you do about it?
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NEO Women of the Suffrage Movement (10 min)
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Students read the biography of Harriet L. Keeler and the article, “Honoring Harriet Keeler: Teacher, Author, Citizen”.
Activity (10 min)
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Students complete a biography template for Harriet Keeler, including drawing or copying/pasting a picture of her and choosing a favorite quote from her spoken or written words.
Discussion (10 min)
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Discuss with the class what they learned about this woman:
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What was she known for?
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What impact did she have on her local area?
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If you had the chance to meet her, what would you ask her?
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What quotes did she choose, and why?
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