The Greatest Female Athlete: Babe Didrikson

This activity can be used as a short activity for Women’s History Month or to explore the history of female athletes. For students in grades 4-8. Approximate time needed is 15-20 minutes.

Before beginning the activity, organize students into small groups. Ask students what the word athlete or athletic means. Ask students to take 30 seconds to read the word silently and write down any thoughts or words that come to mind.

After sharing and creating a definition, give students 60 seconds to write as many famous athletes as they can list. Ask students to share several of their specific examples and ask them to explain why that person is considered an athlete.

Explain to students that they will view a short newsreel about one of the greatest female athletes: Mildred Ella “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, more famously known as Babe Didrikson.

Share the following historical details about Universal Newsreels:

This clip comes from a series consists of the newsreel stories released by Universal Pictures. One of five major U.S. newsreels, Universal Newsreel was released in theaters from 1929 to 1967, making it the last theatrical newsreel series released in the United States. It consisted of edited stories released twice weekly as issues arranged in annual “volumes,” averaging ten minutes per issue initially and six or seven minutes in later years with each newsreel containing several stories.

Students can complete the activity individually, in small groups, or as a complete class. Prior to watching the film clip, direct students to the “Anticipate” section based on the title and the thumbnail displayed. As students watch the recording, direct students to complete the video recording analysis. If necessary, play certain aspects of the recording several times. Model document analysis:

• Anticipate
• Meet the Video
• Observe its Parts
• Try to Make Sense of It
• Use it as Historical Evidence

After students have viewed the recording and completed the analysis, direct students to complete the “When You’re Done” question.

• Based on the newsreel segment, write a short epitaph for Babe Didrikson. How would you describe Babe and her accomplishments? Explain your answer.