The document describes a classroom activity called "The Dot Game" that aims to simulate the Salem Witch Trials. Students receive a paper with either a dot or being blank, with more students having blank papers. Those with dots must pretend they don't while blank students try to identify the dots. After five minutes, the teacher debriefs students on their strategies and experiences being accused of being a dot. Finally, a t-chart compares aspects of the game to actual events in Colonial Salem in 1692 during the witch trials.

1. PreviewWhat comes to your mind when you think about witches?

2. The Dot GameYou will receive a slip of paper. You areNOTto share your paper with any other person in the class. Take care to note whether your paper has aDOTor isBLANK. There are fewer “dots” than “non-dots” but you do not know the number for each.

3. The Dot GameNON-DOT PEOPLEYou will have 5 minutes to form as large a group of “non-dot” participants as possible. The largest group of “non-dots” will win points. The whole group will lose if even one “dot” member is in the group.

4. The Dot GameDOT PEOPLEDo NOT reveal that you have a dot. “Dot” members may win points individually by being able to bluff others that they do not have a dot.

5. The Dot GameSince everyone in the class will deny being a “dot”, you must look for people who, by any indication, seem suspicious. If you suspect a person as having a dot, you should say “So-and-so is a dot!”

6. The Dot GameGO!

7. DebriefDots: How did it feel when you found out that you would be a dot?What was your strategy? Was it successful?

8. DebriefNon-Dots: How did you try to identify who the dots were?Were you ever accused of being a dot? How did that feel?

9. You Just Experienced Colonial Salem in 1692

10. Let’s compare the game to history with a t-chart.Dot GameHistorical ConnectionStudents accused other students of being a dot.

11. Once accused, a student was marked with a post-it note.

12. The teacher played a role in some students being accused of being a dot.

13. There were actually few dots.

14. Colonists accused others of being witches.

15. You find it via research

16. You find it via research

17. You find it via research