Core Skills Analysis
History
- Students gained insight into post-war Britain and the socio-economic conditions of the 1950s, including the impact of the NHS.
- They explored the evolution of healthcare practices and midwifery, understanding historical context related to women's health.
- Viewing the series provided a lens into the changing roles of women and societal expectations in the mid-20th century.
- Students developed empathy and a deeper appreciation for the historical struggles faced by families in their birthing experiences.
Health Education
- The series illustrated various childbirth practices and the importance of pre- and post-natal care.
- Students learned about the roles of midwives and the importance of professional healthcare support during childbirth.
- They gained understanding of maternal health issues pertinent to the time period, including the complications and societal attitudes faced.
- The portrayal of midwifery practices encouraged discussion around modern reproductive rights and healthcare access.
Literature
- Students analyzed character development through the lens of personal struggles and societal challenges faced by the midwives.
- The series served as a narrative tool to explore themes such as community, compassion, and resilience.
- They engaged in discussions about storytelling techniques and how historical narratives can be conveyed through dramatization.
- By comparing the show to historical texts, students drew connections between narrative literature and real-life experiences.
Tips
To further enhance your child's learning experience, consider organizing discussions that delve into the historical context of the show, perhaps with invited speakers from local healthcare professionals or historians. Encourage them to keep a reflective journal about the societal issues portrayed in the series, connecting it to current healthcare practices. Watching related documentaries focused on midwifery or 20th-century Britain could also enrich their understanding.
Book Recommendations
- Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth: A compelling memoir recounting the author's experiences as a midwife in London’s East End during the late 1950s.
- Midwives by Chris Bohjalian: A novel that explores the life of a midwife and the complexities of life and death during a home-birth in the 1980s.
- The Midwife's Revolt by Jennifer Donnelly: A historical novel that tells the story of a midwife in the American Revolutionary era, facing challenges in a nascent country.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3: Analyze how authors use literary elements to create meaning.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
- HS-LS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.