Marching with Aunt Susan

Marching with Aunt Susan

Written by: Claire Rudolf Murphy

Illustrated by: Stacey Schuett

Published by Peachtree Publishers, 2011

Reading Level: Lexile

Read Aloud, 3.3

 

Touching, Inspiring, Willpower, Hope, Prospect  

Bessie is the youngest child of her parents. She has two brothers, Charlie and Ernie who are able to go hiking with their father but Bessie can’t.

“Strenuous exercise is not for girls, Bessie” said, her father.

“You’re not strong enough” said, Ernie.

“It’s not ladylike” said, Charlie.

So instead Bessie stayed home with her mother who was setting up for the suffrage tea. Miss Susan B. Anthony was the guest of honor and upon Bessie meeting ‘Aunt Susan’ her life and views were changed. Bessie attends a rally on Women’s right to vote, a sewing show where women, old and young, were forced to work to help provide for their family. Bessie was forever moved. Bessie gave what little money she had, time, and all her strength into fighting for Women’s Rights.

Key Vocabulary –

1.      Strenuous

2.      Suffrage

3.      Altar

4.      Zeal

5.      Referendum

Teaching Suggestions -

Before Reading: Separate the boys and girls in the classroom. Set the scene. This story takes place in Berkeley, California in 1896. Show to the students where this is. Discuss the cover of the book and what will the book teach us.

During Reading: Discuss Bessie actions with the class. Do the boys agree with what her father and brothers said of being able to hike. How would the girls in your class feel if they weren’t able to do something with their father just because they were a girl? Discuss how Bessie and Rita’s families think and act differently. Be specific.

After Reading: Read the brief biography of Susan B. Anthony. Have your students writte 2 paragraphs on: “What would you be willing to do to stand up for something you believed in?” Students are to create an illustration to show what they would stand up for similar to the cover of the book. Hang the student’s work within the classroom or out in the hall.

Electronic Resources –

Resource: This website contains a variety of ways to introduce the book to your students. A book trailer, to find out more about the book and the artwork presented. Slideshow of images of the author Claire, with various posters.

Lesson Plan: A well detailed lesson plan provided by the Publishers (Peachtree). Contains: national Education Standards, Reviews, Themes, Background for Teachers, Before You Read, Classroom Activities for all core Subject Areas, & More Helpful Websites and Videos.

“Failure is impossible.”

-          Susan B. Anthony