Activity Overview
During the late 1600s, the Puritans believed in witchcraft. To them, anyone who practiced it was consorting with the Devil. Between 1692 and 1693, there were over 200 cases of people being accused of practicing witchcraft, and the famous trials in Salem, Massachusetts are a deep part of our history. In this activity, students will create a narrative of important events during the Salem Witch Trials. Teachers can provide students with resources to use for research or a list of events, or allow them to research on their own.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 4-6 cell storyboard chronicling the important events of the Salem Witch Trials.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Write a brief heading, stating the event.
- Create an illustration that represents each heading using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each heading/scene in the space below the illustration.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/W/4/2] Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- [ELA-Literacy/W/4/3] Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
- [ELA-Literacy/W/4/4] Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
- [ELA-Literacy/W/4/7] Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
- [ELA-Literacy/W/4/8] Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How to Teach Salem Witch Trials in the Context of Massachusetts Bay through Letter Writing
Introduction to the Salem Witch Trials and Massachusetts Bay Colony
Begin by providing an overview of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and its religious and social context. Explain how Puritanism influenced daily life and beliefs in the colony. Introduce the Salem Witch Trials as a significant event that occurred in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Explain the historical backdrop of the trials and the role of religion and fear in the accusations.
Character Roles and Research
Assign each student a character role from the Salem Witch Trials, such as an accused witch, an accuser, a judge, a family member, or a neighbor. Emphasize that these individuals were all part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Encourage students to research the background and perspective of their assigned character within the context of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Provide guidelines on the content of the letters, including details about the events, emotions, and thoughts that should be conveyed.
Letter Writing and Peer Review
Have students begin writing their letters from the perspective of their assigned characters, considering the religious beliefs, societal norms, and challenges they faced in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. After completing their letters, organize a peer review session where students exchange letters and provide constructive feedback on historical accuracy, emotional depth, and storytelling.
Presentation and Discussion
Instruct students to present their letters to the class, reading them aloud or summarizing the key points and emotions conveyed in their narratives. Lead a class discussion on the different perspectives and emotions portrayed in the letters, while considering the unique aspects of life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and their influence on the Salem Witch Trials.
Frequently Asked Questions about Massachusetts Bay Colony - Salem Witch Trials
What were the Salem Witch Trials, and when did they occur?
The Salem Witch Trials occurred in 1692 in colonial Massachusetts and involved hearings, trials, and executions of people accused of witchcraft. Twenty individuals were executed, mainly women, as a result of false accusations, mass hysteria, and flawed legal proceedings. This dark chapter in American history highlights the dangers of intolerance and the misuse of the legal system.
How can worksheets be utilized to engage students in learning about the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Salem Witch Trials?
Worksheets effectively engage students in the history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Salem Witch Trials by: Fostering Inquiry: Worksheets can pose thought-provoking questions about the Puritans, their religious beliefs, and the societal context, encouraging students to explore and investigate historical facets. Analyzing Primary Sources: Worksheets can include excerpts from historical documents, such as Puritan diaries or court records, prompting students to dissect and interpret these primary sources. Comparative Analysis: Worksheets can encourage students to compare the religious rigidity and social tensions in the Massachusetts Bay Colony with the outbreak of the Salem Witch Trials, deepening their understanding of the cause-and-effect relationships. Critical Reflection: Through essay or reflection questions, students can analyze how the religious and political climate in the colony contributed to the witch trials, fostering critical thinking and historical empathy.
How can storyboards be used to connect the events of the Massachusetts Bay Colony with those of the Salem Witch Trials, highlighting the cause-and-effect relationships between them?
Storyboards can vividly illustrate the cause-and-effect relationships between the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Salem Witch Trials by: Visualizing Progression: Storyboards can create visual timelines showing how religious fervor and societal tensions in the Massachusetts Bay Colony gradually escalated to the Salem Witch Trials. Depicting Key Events: Visual elements can highlight significant events, like the arrival of the Puritans, the implementation of strict religious policies, and the accusations and trials of the witch hunt, visually connecting the historical dots. Causal Arrows: Storyboards can incorporate arrows or captions linking causes and their consequences, making the cause-and-effect relationships explicit and memorable. Before-and-After Scenes: Through side-by-side comparisons, storyboards can show the colony's conditions before and after the Salem Witch Trials, emphasizing the transformations brought about by the trials.
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