March Activities
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Rosie dreamed of becoming a great engineer. To keep her dream alive, Rosie made inventions out of odds and ends. When her favorite uncle laughed at her invention, Rosie decided to stop sharing her dreams with others. She stopped, that is, until an aunt showed her why she should continue…
As you listen to/read this story, think about this historical note: Throughout World War II, millions of women in many countries worked to provide the food and equipment needed for the war effort. A fictional character, Rosie the Riveter, represented these women and carried the sign “We can do it!” What do you think “it” refers to?
Idea #1
Rosie’s Aunt tells her, “The only true failure can come if you quit.” Do you think a leader is someone who never quits until he/she is successful or is someone who knows when to quit and try something else? Be prepared to support your answer.
Idea #2
Rosie invented a heli-o-cheese-copter that crashed to the ground. Then she said that she thought, “never will I be a great engineer”. Aunt Rose, however, felt otherwise. She told young Rosie that her invention was “the perfect first try”! There are many women who did not give up and made great inventions. Below is a list of women inventors. Choose one whose invention interests you and find out more about her.
- Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper
- Marion Donovan invented the disposable diaper
- Ruth Handler invented the Barbie Doll
- Lynda Newman improved the hair brush
- Ruth Wakefield invented the chocolate chip cookie
*Now make a list of things that you and your classmates might like to invent.
Idea #3
March is Women’s History Month. We all know that women have played a very important role in our Nation’s history. We also know that, throughout our history, there has never been a woman president. Do you think a woman would make a good President of the United States? Why or why not?