Better Days 2020 Launches Educational Curriculum

Positioned as the foundational educational initiative of the suffrage celebration and women’s advocacy nonprofit, Better Days 2020, the new Utah women’s history education curriculum created to complement the recently-adopted Utah Core Social Studies Standards, was piloted this spring by the Jordan School District to rave reviews. Future plans include expanding this curriculum to U.S. History courses (5th and 11th grades) and language arts classrooms with a pilot program expected to commence in fall 2018. This curriculum is open- access and includes an expanding library of Utah core-aligned lesson plans, tools for primary-source document analysis, short biographies, informational articles, interactive timeline and activities, read-aloud options, and materials for families.

“We’re excited to have these leading scholars provide Utah teachers in-depth historical knowledge about 100 years of women’s advocacy in Utah,” said Better Days 2020 Education Director Naomi Watkins. “This workshop and curriculum will build strong foundations for Utah students to draw on so they are better able to envision themselves as leaders with the ability to make impact now and in the future.”

The website includes lesson plans for 4th and 7th grade Utah Studies, activities for kids and families, a glossary, a walking tour guide, lists of academic resources and kids books and more. Lesson plans for 5th and 11th grade U.S. History modules will be coming in Fall 2018. Additionally, teachers can download free bookmarks and coloring pages, as well as purchase the Utah women's advocate illustrations, at the Store.