• The Play and Its Context

  • Introduction
  • Character Profiles
  • Concept Vocabulary
  • Elizabeth Packard Biography
  • Historical Timeline-Events Surrounding Mrs. Packard
  • Mental Illness in the 19th Century
  • Insane Asylums Unveiled
  • Women and the Law

• About This Production

  • Who’s Who in the Production
  • Rights and Wrongs: Talking with Emily Mann about Mrs. Packard
  • Emily Mann Biography

• Drama in the Classroom

  • Educators’ Introduction
  • Core Curriculum Standards
  • Pre-Show Preparation, Questions for Discussion and Activities
  • Post-Show Questions for Discussion and Activities

• Additional Resources

According to the NJ Department of Education, “experience with and knowledge of the arts is a vital part of a complete education.”  Our production of Mrs. Packard and the activities outlined in this guide are designed to enrich your students’ education by addressing the following specific Core Curriculum Standards for Visual and Performing Arts:

1.1	All students will acquire knowledge and skills that increase aesthetic awareness in dance, music, theater and visual arts.
1.2	All students will refine perceptual, intellectual, physical and technical skills through creating dance, music, theater and/or visual arts.
1.3	All students will demonstrate and understanding of the elements and principles of dance, music, theater, and visual art.
1.4	All students will demonstrate knowledge of the process of critique.

Viewing Mrs. Packard and then participating in the pre and post-show discussions suggested in this resource guide will also address the following Core Curriculum Standards in Language Arts Literacy:

3.2	All students will write in clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes.
3.3	All students will speak in clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes.
3.4	All students will listen actively to information from a variety of sources in a variety of situations.
3.5	All students will access, view, evaluate and respond to print, non-print and electronic texts and resources.

In addition, the production of Mrs. Packard as well as the resource guide activities will help to fulfill the following Social Studies Core Curriculum Standards:

6.1	All students will utilize historical thinking, problem solving and research skills to maximize their understanding of civics, history, geography and economics.
6.2	All students will know, understand and appreciate the values and principles of American Democracy and the rights and responsibilities, and roles of a citizen in the nation and the world.