What to Teach this Month: March

In my family, March is a month full of celebrations. My father, my husband, my sister’s husband and my husband’s older sister were all born in March making for a pretty fun time. While I find this month magical because it is when some of my favorite people came into the world, I think it also tends to serve as a breath of fresh air for most people. The days begin to get warmer, the sun sticks around to say “hi” for longer in the day, and we can get outside a bit more to receive that much needed vitamin D we have been lacking during the dark, cold winter months. If that alone isn’t enough to celebrate, March is packed full of many exciting holidays and events that provide great opportunities for learning.

First, did you know that every March, AFT’s Share My Lesson puts on a three-day Virtual Conference filled with more than 35 free, for-credit sessions? With topics covering AI and media literacy; civic education and English language arts; diversity, equity and inclusion; mental health and social emotional learning; and STEM, you are sure to find something to get you excited. Learn more about the conference and register here.

March is also Women’s History Month, which is dedicated to focusing on the amazing contributions of women who have often been tangentially mentioned or completely left out of the history books. From daring adventurers to groundbreaking scientists and everything in between, women have changed the course of history in profound ways. By sharing their stories, we honor their legacy and shed light on the unsung heroes and trailblazers who have shaped history. Check out a new yearlong series we’re doing about women in history with educator Sari Beth Rosenberg.

Not only is March Women's History month, but it's also Academy Awards season. And, as you likely know, one of the most nominated films, Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig,  is up for eight awards, including best picture. Bonus fact: Barbie broke the ticket sales record for a women-directed film in less than three weeks. SML members are big fans of the film, as is evidenced by this top blog from Amber Chandler on the film, as well as her new lesson plan.

Several religious and cultural holidays fall in March this year, which many of your students may be celebrating, including Ramadan (March 10-April 9), Nowruz (March 19), Holi (March 25), and Easter (March 31).

Also, as part of recognizing the importance of inclusion, March can be a great time to raise awareness about the diverse individuals who make up communities. The anniversary of the Capitol Crawl is March 13. The Capitol Crawl was a powerful demonstration in 1990 at which disability rights activists crawled up the steps of the U.S. Capitol to advocate for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Teach students about the significance of this action with this K-5 lesson plan or this middle and high school lesson plan. Additionally, Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31. Raise awareness about transgender rights and honor the resilience and achievements of transgender individuals with these free resources.

Explore the lists below to learn about more events and holidays in March, and to find resources to support you in incorporating those topics into your classroom.

National Nutrition Month and National Breakfast Week

March is National Nutrition Month, and the first week of the month is National School Breakfast Week, so it is a great time to discuss with students the importance of making healthy food choices and staying active. You can introduce them to the concept of a balanced diet and the food groups, encouraging them to think about the foods they eat and how they can make healthier choices. Check out these resources to help you get started: