Changing Women's Roles in the 1920s Slideshow & Activity - CAN. History

Show your students how women of the 1920s transitioned from the modest housewives to independent people with this slideshow lesson and activity.

Includes:

• 27 slides (Google Slides)
• Teacher notes embedded into the slideshow
• Youtube videos/audio clips (links provided)

• 7 Political Cartoons and Analysis through a Graphic Organizer (Google Docs) - 22pgs
• Answer Key

Product Overview:

Slideshow: This slideshow discusses the changing women’s roles in the 1920s. It introduces students to the topic through a quick visual activity where students will think about traditional gendered jobs (i.e firefighter = male, nurse = female) and unpack why society views them this way. Students will then look at the perception of females in the 1920s and consider their societal roles. Afterwards, students will take an in depth look at Women’s Suffrage and the Alberta Famous 5: Person’s Case. Throughout the entire slideshow students will be encouraged to make connections back to perceptions of women in current society and how things are similar and/or different.

Discussion prompts/questions, are included throughout the entire slideshow, encouraging students to make connections and relate back to current societal trends. This keeps the content relatable and relevant to students, however, it can be easily removed if it does not fit your lesson trajectory.

Political Cartoon Analysis: Historical cartoons are a helpful visual tool to gaining an insider perspective on the public views of women. The slideshow concludes with a Political Cartoon Analysis activity. First a class sample is provided in order to model the activity expectations. Then, students will be given an opportunitiy to try on their own with one of seven cartoons. Using their assigned cartoon and caption, students will try to identify various elements such as physical exaggerations or symbolism to help make connections to historical stereotypes, laws, and more. Students will use a chart to help organize their thoughts.

How to Use this Resource:

1. Share and allow students to make their own copy of the slideshow.
2. After the slideshow is completed, provide students with a digital/paper copy of the political cartoon analysis chart.
3. Have students work independently or have them work in small groups (3-4). Then assign them 1 or more cartoon to analyze (7 options included).

The following topics are presented from a Canadian History perspective:

• GENDERED JOBS (what are they and why does society categorize them this way?)
• STATUS OF WOMEN AFTER WWI (ex. No credit, discrimination, "female jobs," laws, not working while married...)
• PERSPECTIVES OF WOMEN in 1920s (ex. housewife, please husbands, mothers...)
• SUFFRAGE (ex. right to vote, worldwide movements...)
• FAMOUS FIVE (ex. Person's Case, Pink Tea, Achievements...)
• POLITICAL CARTOON ANALYSIS (views of suffragists through the eyes of the public)

**Teacher notes are included in the "Presenter Notes" section of the ppt. offering discussion prompts and additional information.

***This resource supports the Canadian History curriculum however it may be adapted to fit your lesson needs.