The Crucible-Witch Hunts
| State | WV |    |
| Status | Ready for Users | |
| Stage | Public | |
| Subject | English/Language Arts Mathematics Social Studies | |
| Author | Carol White
David Underwood Rusty Campbell | |
| Description | This unit begins with an overview of Puritain doctrine in
relation to the Salem Witch Trials of the late 17th century. The lesson includes a reading of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," a statistical analysis of the Salem Witch trials, a simulation of the hysteria which infected the village like a virus. The students will demonstrate their appreciation of the effects of historical witch hunts. | |
| The 21st Century Tools | Internet
word processing program | |
| Grade Level | 9 10 11 | |
| National Standards | Mathematics:
1.Uses a variety of strategies in the problem-solving process 6.Understands and applies basic and advanced concepts of statistics and data analysis 7.Understands and applies basic and advanced concepts of probability English 1.Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process 3.Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written compositions 7.Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies for reading a variety of informational texts Social Studies 4.Understands how political, religious, and social institutions emerged in the English colonies Art 1.Understands connections among the various art forms and other disciplines | |
| Career Clusters | Fine Arts and Humanities | |
| Keywords | Crucible
Witch Arthur Miller Trials Salem | |
| Lesson Plan URLs (new Window) | Lesson 1: Background
Lesson 2: The Play Lesson 3: Witch Trials, Statistical Analysis Lesson 4: The Witch Virus Lesson 5: McCarthyism, A Modern Witch Trial | |
| Learner Outcomes | Students will learn about Puritan doctrine as it affected the witch trials.
Students will express what they learned in meaningful, well written paragraphs. Students will learn about the causes and effects of the witchcraft hysteria. Students will learn about the individuals involved, both the accused and the accusers. Students will become familiar with a chronology of the trial events. Students will learn how the Puritans affected our values today. | |
| Materials | Internet
word processing program | |
| Teacher notes | Before the students read about Puritans on the Internet, the teacher may need to discuss with
them skills in skimming for information. When answering worksheet questions from selected Internet readings, many students have difficulty because they are accustomed to finding the answers in order within text. This task becomes easier when students carefully read over all questions before going on-line. That way they know what to look for, and they should answer the questions as they find the information instead of feeling compelled to answer them in order. Less advanced students or ones with less Internet experience will have more difficulty. | |
| Enrichment activities | Students could act out a courtroom scene, deriving their script from the play or from actual court transcripts.
Students may go to http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm to find court transcripts or search the Internet for other transcripts. | |
| English IGO or CSO | 11.16, 11.27, 11.31, 11.43, 11.49, 11.60, 11.61, 11.62, 11.69, 11.81, 11.94, 11.97 | |
| Social Studies IGO or CSO | 9.39, 9.45 | |