The Crucible-Prereading Explorations

 

Assessment Samples/Nature/Sample questions:

Assessment: Print out copies of transcripts from Salem Witch Trials.  Form small groups of students and have them read the documentary out loud.  Students need to research the court document.  It is not necessary for them to read the entire document but they should have an understanding of people involved and how the trial progressed.  As the students work through this activity make them consider and answer following questions:

What kind of evidence was used in the trial?( 2 Points)

Were the accused innocent until proven guilty?( 1 point)

When is a reference to the Bible made in the court case? Who makes the reference?  Why do you think they make the reference?( 3 points)

 

What were the punishments for witchcraft and were they appropriate?(2 points)

 

Who were the witnesses and how did they add to the court proceedings?  Was their testimony useful and taken into account by the judge?  Which witness�s testimony is gets most attention out of all?(3 points)

 

What pressure was faced by the accuser?( 1 point)

What kinds of things were witches accused of causing to happen?(2 points)

 

Have students write a story. The writing should include personal feelings of the historical figure, description of 'fits' and other sensations experienced by the 'afflicted', an accusation, a court trial or recollections from a court trial, remorse.( 6 points) 

                                                             Questions that correspond with Task # 7

1.  How many people died in 1692 in Salem, MA?

2.  Name the three ways that all of these people lost their lives.

3.  Salem was under who�s rule at the time?

4.  At the same time, which two groups were attacking?

5.  Why was farming in Salem such a painstaking task?

6.  What religion were the people of Salem?

7.  People who followed Satan were considered what?

8.  Who were the first three convicted of witchcraft and why?

9.  How many alleged witches were tried and hanged in New England during the 1600s? 

10.  What was the difference between Salem Town and Salem Village?

11.  Where did most of the accused people live? 

12.  Where did most of the accusers live?

13.  What did children rarely do?

14.  What were the social expectations of boys?  What did the girls do?

15.  Girls like Abigail Williams and Betty Parris sparked their imaginations through what?

16.  What book did Cotton Mather write?  Why is this crucial to the trials?

17.  How old was Ann Putnam Jr.? 

18.  What shape did Ann Putnam see when the egg white dropped into the glass of water?

19.  Name eight of the people Ann accused of witchcraft?

20.  How many total people did Ann accuse of witchcraft?

21.  What did Ann Putnam do that none of the other circle girls did?

22.  What set Tituba apart from the other villagers?

23.  What three children did Tituba care for?  What were their names?  Why did she care for them so often?

 24.  What did Tituba and John make for their dog?

 25.  What happened to Tituba?

 26.  Who accused Sarah Good of being a witch?  (two people)

 27.  When was Sarah Good hanged? 

 28.  What was ironic about Sarah Good�s last words and the death of Reverend Noyes?

 29.  How did John Proctor view the witch trials?

 30.  John Proctor was the first to be named a what?

 31.  What happened to Elizabeth and why?  What happened to John?

 32.  What are two reasons why Mary Easty may have been accused?

 33.  Before Mary�s execution, what did she ask?

 34.  When and where was Mary executed?

 35.  Write at least five facts that you know now that you didn�t know before this webquest.

The Crucible Pre-reading Rubric

 

All answers must be in the form of a complete sentence.  All rules of grammar and punctuation will apply.

 

Topic	Possible Points	Total
What kind of evidence was used in the trial?   Were the accused innocent until proven guilty?	2 1
Were the accused innocent until proven guilty? When is a reference to the Bible made in the court case? Who makes the reference? Why do you think they make the reference?	1 3
What were the punishments for witchcraft and were they appropriate?	2
Who were the witnesses and how did they add to the court proceedings? Was their testimony useful and taken into account by the judge? Which witness�s testimony is gets most attention out of all?	3
What pressure was faced by the accuser?	1
What kinds of things were witches accused of causing to happen?	2
Have students write a story. The writing should include personal feelings of the historical figure, description of 'fits' and other sensations experienced by the 'afflicted', an accusation, a court trial or recollections from a court trial, remorse.	6
Task #7 questions.  Each question is work 1 point.  All questions must be answered in complete sentences.	35
More than 10 errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.             0 pts 6 - 10 errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.           1 pt 3 - 5 errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.           3 pts 2 or less errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.           5 pts
Total possible points	60