Salem's Trial

A SITE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AT “ESCUELAS OFICIALES DE IDIOMAS”

Using New Technologies as a Teaching Aid

SALEM TRIALS: Witchcraft or Hatred?
A webquest for ESL students

Introduction					back
In 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village were diagnosed as bewitched. Their accusations would lead to the hanging of nineteen men and women. In addition, one man was crushed to death and some others died in prison. This would be the unhappy result of the Salem Witch Trials. Was Salem possessed by the devil? Or were they simply victims of a mixture of fanatism, rivalry and hatred? You will be the one to decide after finishing this Webquest.
Task					back
You are reporter writing an article on the Salem Witch Trials, but before you write your report, you will have to investigate a lot, read loads of information about the Trials, share your findings and discuss your views and beliefs with your fellow reporters.
Credits / Resources					back
Salem Witchcraft Trials
Chronology, biographies of the key figures, map of Salem, list of the accused and dead, reasons for the ending of the trials: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM Map of Salem in 1692, Witch Museum, general introduction: http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/education/index.shtml Causes of the trials, list of victims of the trials, biographies of the key figures, quiz, timeline of events, FAQs: http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/ Documents and transcriptions, biographies of the key figures, maps, literary works based on the trials: http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/ A Chronology of Events, pictures of the Salem Witch Trials Memorial: http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/ Life in 1692 Salem, movie with the story of the witch hunt, biographies of the key figures, teacher tips and resources: http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/ Interactive map of Salem Village in 1692: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/salem/
Salem, Massachusetts: Tourism
Salem News The City Guide of Salem The Official Website of Salem Tourism in Massachusetts
Others:
The Blair Witch Project
Photos:
Salem / Boston, Massachusetts (Summer 2004) © Carmen Gómez González 2005
Process					back
First, you will read some informations about the Trials and their main figures. Then, you will complete a quiz and a matching exercise to check your knowledge while you discuss your answers with your partners. Afterwards, you will give your opinions about the trials, their causes and consequences. You will finally write a composition on a particular aspect of the trials or their background.
Read and Complete: 1. Read: A general overview. Life in 1692 Salem 2. Complete: How much do you remember? Complete this quiz. 3. Read: The key figures: Tituba Ann Putnam Samuel Parris William Phips Sarah Good Bridget Bishop George Burroughs 4. Complete: How much do you remember? Complete this matching exercise. (There are two versions of the exercise: One is for low screen resolution and the other one is for high screen resolution. Choose one of them).
After all the hard work, you can watch a 6-minute multimedia movie about the trials. Only if you have a high speed connection.
Answer some questions and discuss your answers orally with the other members of your group:
Which of the causes for the Outbreak of Witchcraft Hysteria in Salem have you found the most surprising? Why? Can't you think of any causes? Then, check these websites: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 What would you do if you were accused of witchcraft? Would you try to get away, accuse someone else, face the consequences or choose any other option? Discuss your answer with the rest of the group and then check what would have happened to you if you had been living in Salem in 1692. Which of the following key figures of the Salem witch trials has impressed you most? The use of different versions of their biographies will add new facts to what you already know: Tituba: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 Samuel Parris: 1 \| 2 William Phips: 1 \| 2 Sarah Good: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 Bridget Bishop: 1 \| 2 \| 3 George Burroughs: 1 \| 2 \| 3
Oral practice to express your views: I am sure that, by now, you already have your own opinions about the Salem Witch Trials. Discuss your views with your partner/s.					back

					back

Was Salem possessed by the devil? Or were they simply victims of a mixture of fanatism, rivalry and hatred? Can you see any connections between these trials and the Inquisition in Spain? Could Tituba's African rituals be compared to any kind of modern spiritual rites? Would you say there is a modern kind of witchcraft? What would it be?
Write your report: Your topic could be any of the following:
1. A particular aspect of the trial or its background. 2. Your views and opinions on Witchcraft (in 1692 and today). 3. Your favourite key figure/s of the trials.
Evaluation
Performance	1	2	3	4
Reading Skills	Score: 0%-25% on quiz and matching exercise.	Score: 26% - 60% on quiz and matching exercise.	Score: 60%-89% on quiz and matching exercise.	Score: 90%-100% on quiz and matching exercise.
Oral Skills	Grammar and Vocabulary: Word choice seems inappropriate for topic; very basic, limited vocabulary impedes communication; inaccurate use of verb tenses and word order impede understanding; embedded clauses non-existent. Pronunciation: Very difficult to understand because of pronunciation problems; speech is slow with many pauses; many words/ideas incomprehensible.	Grammar and Vocabulary: Lacking some critical topic-specific vocabulary; somewhat limited vocabulary range; several instances of errors in verb tenses and word order; embedded clauses inaccurate and limited. Pronunciation: Pronunciation problems partially impede comprehensibility; speech is hesitant and jerky, some sentences are left uncompleted, some words/ideas incomprehensible.	Grammar and Vocabulary: Good range of topic specific vocabulary; ideas are communicated; good control of verb tenses, embedded clauses and word order. Pronunciation: Always intelligible, though one is aware of definite accent and lapses in intonation; speech mostly smooth; some hesitation and unevenness; some groping for words.	Grammar and Vocabulary: Includes a wide range of topic-specific vocabulary; clearly communicates ideas; mostly accurate use of verb tenses, embedded clauses, and word order. Pronunciation: Pronunciation and intonation are level appropriate; smooth and fluent speech; few to no hesitations or groping for words.
Writing Skills	Grammar mistakes are basic and constant. Wrong use of verb tenses. Vocabulary is poor and repetitive. No use of linkers. Many spelling mistakes. Difficult to understand due to confusing ideas. Lack of a general structure or internal coherence. Not according to proposed topic.	Grammar and vocabulary inadequate for the level. Some grammar / vocabulary/ spelling mistakes. Some confusing ideas but a general comprehension is still possible. Disorganized paragraphs. Inefficient use of linkers.	Clear ideas. Basic structures without errors but some mistakes in complex structures. No relevant mistakes. Vocabulary is limited but adequate. Reasonable use of linkers. Organized paragraphs. According to topic.	Good use of complex structures and linkers. Good use of vocabulary according to level. No spelling mistakes. Few or no grammar mistakes. Clear, coherent ideas. Paragraphs are well organized. According to topic.
Conclusion
Witchcraft and Hysteria: I hope you have learnt that social and private hatred, religious hysteria and economic conditions played an important role in the development of the Salem Trials. The Devil was just as important as God for the Puritans, who believed that witchcraft was an example of the power of evil. We may not have such a strict moral code as the Puritans but we still like movies about witchcraft and the devil. A recent example has been The Blair Witch Project. Be a modern tourist: Have you liked Salem? Would you like to know more about it? Visit Salem and enjoy the city as it is nowadays. Click here.
Teacher's Notes					back
Title: Salem Trials. Witchcraft or Hatred? Level: Upper-Intermediate to Advanced (for adults and young adults). Subject: English as a Second Language. Aims: Introducing languages from culture. Enhancing their interest and motivation. Practicing oral, writing, listening and reading skills: Oral skills (talking to their partners), extensive reading comprehension, writing skills such as summarizing or writing a report and listening skills by the use of a multimedia movie. Contents: The Salem Witch Trials of 1692: Biographies and events. Tourism: Salem today. Vocabulary of crime and trials. Timing: 2 sessions in class to guide them through the process and a composition as part of their homework. Resources: See credits. Special thanks to Bernie Dodge's model and template and to Isabel Pérez. Ideas for evaluation of oral skills from Liz Perona. Contact the author: Carmen Gómez

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