Salem Witch Trials

Resource ID#: 59553 Type: Lesson Plan

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General Information

Subject(s): English Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Intended Audience: Educators educators
Suggested Technology: Document Camera
Instructional Time: 3 Hour(s)
Resource supports reading in content area:Yes
Freely Available: Yes
Keywords: Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible, Arthur Miller, colonial issues
Instructional Component Type(s): Lesson Plan Assessment Text Resource
Instructional Design Framework(s): Direct Instruction, Structured Inquiry (Level 2)
Resource Collection: CPALMS Charter: Social Studies

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Lesson Plan

Reading Like a Historian: Salem Witch Trials :

In this lesson, students investigate and answer the central historical question: What caused the Salem Witch Crisis of 1692? After brainstorming and learning some background context for the witch trials, pairs of students read and answer sourcing questions for 2 primary sources: a Cotten Mather speech and the testimony of Abigail Hobbs, a teenager accused of witchcraft. After they draw preliminary conclusions, students are then given 2 more documents—a chart and a map—which ground the witch trials in an economic and geographic context. Students ultimately draw on all 4 documents to explain the witch trials' cause in writing, and then share their conclusions with the class.

Type: Lesson Plan