Ruth Bader Ginsburg — Biography Graphic Organizer

Through this activity, students demonstrate an ability to write informative texts that examine a topic or historical figure and convey ideas and information.

Students will use their research skills to fill in all eight pages of the planner with information about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s important life events, upbringing and education, struggles, and achievements.   

Once they have completed their research and writing, students will cut out each page and layer them to create a flipbook. 

Why Study this Women’s History Icon?

Despite her small stature, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a mighty figure whose strength of character and unwavering convictions made her a legal powerhouse. 

In her lifetime, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a tireless fighter for gender equality and women’s rights. The first in her class at Columbia Law School, Ginsburg battled and overcame sexism and discrimination to become a lawyer, professor, jurist, and member of the highest court in the land. She was the first to edit both the Columbia and Harvard law reviews, established the Women’s Rights Project for the ACLU, and won 5 of 6 cases she argued before the Supreme Court. 

As a Supreme Court Justice herself, RBG (her pop culture nickname) is remembered for her strong dissenting opinions, challenging her colleagues on topics like voting rights, reproductive health, and sex-based pay discrimination, to name a few. 

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

Use this biography activity as an independent research task. Alternatively, provide the template to a team of students so they can share the research duties. 

In addition to Women’s History Month (March), apply this research assignment in class or as homework for your lessons on:

• International Women’s Day (March 8)
• English Language Arts
• History
• Social Studies
• Government
• Biographical writing

Students who need more of a challenge can use the information in their flipbook to write a paragraph about an aspect of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life or career that they identified with most. 

Assist students who struggle with the research concept by providing a pre-written biography of Ginsburg they can use to fill out their planner. Students might also benefit from 1:1 guidance or working with a partner or group to divide the research and writing responsibilities.  

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose from the color or black and white, Microsoft Word, PDF, or Google Slides versions of this resource. 

Don’t stop there! Your women’s history lesson plan wouldn’t be complete without these activities and teaching resources too: 

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