PROCESS
The students will be assigned to be various participants in the Salem
Witch Trials. Each student will be expected to research his/her role.
There will be 3 groups:
The groups will be seated at individual tables and have all
of their facts organized in order to answer questions in support of their
assigned roles.
After the students have investigated the issues of his/her role and understood
the background information they will begin to formulate their facts and
ideas to be presented to the jury of the mock trial.
To gain a better
understanding of what happened in 17th Century Salem, I would like you
to
Experience the Trials
.
All
students are also asked to gather some information on life in 1692 Salem.
Below are the sites where you can research that information:
Discoveryschool.com-- The Salem Witch Trials
Please read the information on religion, socio-economic divisions and
children.
Discoverschool.com-- The Story of the Witch Hunt
A five (5) minute movie that gives a good idea of 17th Century Salem.
Explore
National Geographic's Salem: Witchcraft Hysteria
This site will provide you with a great deal of information and can answer
some questions that you may want to approach in your presentation and/or
paper.
Declaration of Regret from the Salem Jurors
This was written years after the Trials but is a good example of how torn
this community became as a result of the Trials and executions.
This
commentary will be viewed by the class and invited administrators and upon
completion of this presentation the jury will vote on these critical issues.
They will decide if we have really learned from history of if we are doomed
to repeat it.
The students should be aware that in order for their
facts and opinions to be believable that they should be firm believers
in their issue.
