Vocabulary

It is advisable to front load vocabulary words; especially for ELL students. The Graphic Organizer, What is that Word, can be used to help students identify and find the definition for unknown words. You can also ask students to keep a “Vocabulary Journal” to identify new words and to help build their vocabulary. Use the Vocabulary Guide to identify words and concepts that may be unfamiliar to students. Encourage students to use a vocabulary diary or the What is that Word worksheet to build their knowledge and understanding of the words used in the lesson.

When looking at the comics, students can feel out the meaning based on the context and action taking place. Encourage students to look at any actions or objects in the panel that illustrate what is happening in the story to help them define the word.

Day 1

Getting Started: Introduce your students to the Suffrage Movement.

Encourage your students to imagine a time when American women could not vote and had no voice in electing officials who made the laws that govern the nation.

If possible, project on screen:

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Explain that this sentence changed history. It is from the 19^th amendment which was ratified (passed) on August 18, 1920; 133 years after the ratification of the Constitution! Over the course of those 133 years and despite the fact that they were declared citizens of the United States under the 14^th Amendment—women—by law, could not vote. Ask students to reflect on the condition of women who had no say in deciding their future. They could not vote for any elected office from President to local officials, even the dog catcher! The law did not allow women to have a voice in the day to day laws which impacted their lives.

Until well into the 1800s, women were “disenfranchised”. Their property became that of their husband when they married. Very few had a formal education. Even the wages they earned belonged to their husband and they did not have the right to vote.   

How do you think women felt about that?

By the mid-1900s, hundreds of thousands of women protested for the right to vote. They were called Suffragists. 

Ask: Can anyone can name an important Suffragist?

Ask: Can you think of another group of people that suffered the same injustices that women did?

In 1848, the Suffragist Movement formally began with the Seneca Falls Convention. 

Activity

As a class, look at the Woman Suffrage Timeline. Students will share out what they learned and their thoughts with each other. If time permits, allow a 10-minute share out discussion with the class as a whole. What surprises the students?

Day 2

Activity One: Reading History through Comics

Time: One-hour

Materials:

• Smart board or overhead projector,
• Chester Comix The Seneca Falls Convention with words blanked out and with words included
• Graphic organizers:
  • See, Say, Think #1
  • How Does it Relate?
• Sticky notes

Getting Started: 

Before beginning the activities, ask your students:

• Do you like comic books? Have them give examples
• Visit Chester Comix Tar Heel Tales pg. 4
  • Do comic books have heroes? What do they think makes someone a hero?
  • Can you be a hero without super powers?

Full Group Activity: Each student should have a graphic organizer (See, Say, Think #1)

Project the Seneca Falls Convention comic with the words blanked out

1. If desired, provide each student with a copy of the blanked out comics.
2. Tell the students to carefully look at each panel. Model this by doing a picture walk through of the first few panels, pointing out facial expression, activities, objects and details. Discuss what these things could mean. Have students complete the picture walk and record their observations on the What Do I See portion of the worksheet.
3. Ask students to share some of the things they see and what they think that it means.
4. Tell students that to use their observations to make predictions about the panel’s story. Allow 5 minutes for the students to share their ideas and predictions.
5. Project the Seneca Falls Convention comix with the words included. Read the panels together as a class. Have students note details that they think are important in the What Does It Say portion of the graphic organizer.
6. Post the question: How does the Seneca Falls Convention relate to one or more of the following; the Abolition Movement, Activism, Civil Rights, Equality and Suffrage. Discuss with the class what to look for, find at least one example as a group. Give students time to fill out the What Do I Think portion of the graphic organizer.
7. Divide the students into Think, Pair, Share groups (pairs or triads) to discuss their answers and ideas. Each student should write at least two connections they observe on sticky notes. (10 minutes).

Groups should then share out as a class. Use the How Does It Relate Graphic Organizer. Depending on the size of the class and your normal template for group work; group share can be done in a number of ways;

1. Enlarge the How Does It Relate graphic organizer to poster size and list student responses in the topic area.
2. Use a document camera to project the How Does It Relate graphic organizer on the board and have students use sticky notes to place their responses.
3. Post each topic in a different place in the room and have students move to a topic and provide an example their group has brainstormed from the How Does It Relate graphic organizer.
4. Post the graphic and use sticky notes as the students’ exit ticket.  Students should be able to state and explain their position using text evidence. 

Day 3