1. Web quest
The Salem Witch Trials
Grades: 6-8
Introduction: The Salem Witch Trials happened a long time ago in 1692. Over 200
hundred people were accused of witchcraft. We look back on it and cannot imagine it
happening. But what if it did in the present day?
Task: It is in present day America and hysteria is breaking out. Something similar is
happening in San Francisco that happened in Salem, Massachusetts many years ago.
A girl started acting very strange and blamed it on someone putting a spell on them.
Soon more and more people are claiming the same thing. Is it the Salem Witch Trials all
over again?
You are either the lawyer or a policeman that is working very hard to get to the bottom
of this. You have a sneaking suspicion that the only guilty parties are the accusers. You
will gather evidence to prove your client’s innocence.
Process:
1. First we are going to go over a short history about the Salem Witch Trials by
watching a documentary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dA4LIqifc
2. You will then need to decide if you are a lawyer or a policeman/woman.
3. Next, you will compile some information: the name of the individual you are
working for, their status in society, what they were accused of, by whom and
when, and any other important details you can think of. This does not have to be
a certain length, all questions just have to be answered completely and in
complete sentences.
4. Once you have that written up, you are going to pretend that your client’s trial has
taken place. You will need to compile some more information: what some of the
questions were during the trial, the outcome of the trials, and the punishment (if
any).
5. After you have answered all of those questions you will write a reflective journal
telling about how you feel about the outcome of the trial. It has to be at least 2
pages.
*All of this information will obviously be made up, so you can get creative with it!

2. Evaluation:
Pre-trial information:
Completed and all questions answered- 2 points
Not all questions answered- 1 point
Did not do- 0 points
Post-trial information:
Completed and all questions answered- 2 points
Not all questions answered- 1 point
Did not do- 0 points
Journal:
Completed and 2 pages or more- 2 points
Completed and less than two pages- 1 point
Did not do- 0 points
Conclusion: Congratulations, you have successfully completed a trial and gotten down
to the bottom of the issue in San Francisco! Good work!