| Lesson 4: Martha Ballard (1785-1812):
An Essential Woman in Her Community
2 class periods (85 minutes each)
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| Key Content Ideas Taught in this Lesson and
Teacher Background |
Women in New England had essential roles maintaining
the family units, the households, and assisting others within their
communities in times of need.
Teacher Background Essay: Women's Roles
during the Federal Era
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| Intended Learning Outcomes |
Understandings
Students will understand:
- Deerfield was a complex community with members
taking on a variety of roles and jobs, i.e. servant, craftsman,
housewife, clergy, and apprentice. Women managed families and
households and sometimes acted as midwives.
Skills
Students will be able to:
- Tell about the varied roles typical and necessary
for the support of a small New England town.
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| In Preparation for Teaching |
1. Read Teacher Background Essay: Women's
Roles during the Federal Era
Further Background Reading:
Larkin, Jack. The Reshaping of Everyday Life: 1790-1840.
New York: Harper, 1988.
Nylander, Jane C. Our Own Snug Fireside:
Images of the New England Home. New Haven: Yale UP, 1993.
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Primary and Secondary Sources:
- Students will use the web to locate information
on Martha Ballard and the development of the film.
- Kahn-Leavitt, Laurie and Rogers, Richard.
P. A Midwife's Tale. Watertown, MA: Blueberry Hill Productions,
1997. (VIDEO)
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| Activities |
Materials in Context |
- Search the web for information
about "Martha Ballard" and the development of
the film. Gather information and discuss as a prelude to
viewing the film.
- While viewing the film, ask students
to respond to ways in which Ballard's life was both typical
and atypical – writing information in columns during
the film.
- At the conclusion of the film,
invite students to develop a master list of personal qualities
(adjectives) exhibited by Ballard, using events in the film
to substantiate their selections.
Assignment: In a journal,
write about Martha Ballard in terms of gender, power, and
influence over time, as evidenced in her diary entries. What
woman (women) can you think of in the 21st century who might
exhibit these qualities? How have circumstances changed that
might impact on women's gender, power, and influence? Be prepared
to share your writing with the class.
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Journal entry on comparative essay.
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