Women With Wings (Profiles, 30)
#30 in Country profiles Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
Describes the lives and accomplishments of six famous women aviators: Harriet Quimby, Bessie Coleman, Amelia Earhart, Beryl Markham, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, and Jacqueline Cochran.
Discussion points
What challenges do you think the women in the book faced while pursuing their dreams of flying?
Which of the women's stories inspired you the most and why?
How do you think their achievements have opened doors for other women and girls in the field of aviation?
What qualities do these women possess that helped them succeed, and how can you apply these qualities in your own life?
If you could meet any of the women from the book, who would it be and what would you ask her?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child what they know about women in aviation before reading the book, to gauge their prior knowledge and pique their interest.
Encourage your child to think about how the historical context might have influenced the stories of these women, and discuss how times have changed.
While discussing the book, relate the perseverance and determination of the women to challenges your child may face, emphasizing that they too can overcome obstacles with hard work.
After reading the book, encourage your child to draw or write about which aviator they found most inspiring, aiding their reflective thinking and creativity.
Discuss the importance of gender equality in careers, using examples from the book to illustrate how progress has been made and what further changes can be implemented.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance and determination
Explanation: The book profiles 30 women who faced obstacles but continued to pursue their dreams of flying, showcasing resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere in their own lives, whether in academics, sports, or personal goals, even when faced with challenges.
Example Lesson: Equality and empowerment
Explanation: The stories of these pioneering women in aviation highlight the importance of gender equality and empower young girls to aspire for roles traditionally dominated by men.
Real-World Application: Girls and boys alike can apply this lesson by supporting equal opportunities for both genders in their classroom activities and group interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of setting goals
Explanation: The aviators in the book had clear goals which they worked diligently towards, demonstrating how goal setting can lead to remarkable achievements.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to set and pursue their own goals, be it in learning a new skill or improving in a subject at school.
Example Lesson: Learning from failures
Explanation: Many aviators faced failures and setbacks before succeeding; these stories teach that failures are part of the learning process and stepping stones to success.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to view their mistakes as opportunities for growth and not be discouraged by them in academics or personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Courage to explore new paths
Explanation: Each woman in the book ventured into the then male-dominated field of aviation, showing immense courage which led to groundbreaking successes.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to explore and participate in activities outside their comfort zone, promoting personal growth and self-confidence.