1. Warm-up question
Please anwser in your notebook: What do you know about the Salem Witch Trials?

2. Let’s put our thoughts together

3. Please take 5-7 minutes to read the summary handout

4. Why do you think the people of Salem believed the girls’ accusations of witchcraft?

5. Even if the people of Salem truly believed in witchcraft, why would there be so many accusations all at once, all of a sudden?

6. EQ: What caused the Salem witch crisis of 1692?

7. In pairs: Read evidence pieces A & B and work to fill out the top chart (6 minutes)

8. What type of document is Evidence A?
What type of document is Evidence B?
Based on these 2 documents, why did the people of Salem believe the girls’ testimony?

9. In pairs: Read evidence pieces C & D and work to fill out the bottom chart (6 minutes)

10. What else is happening in 1692?
Why might economic concerns have contributed to the witch crisis?
How does the information in Documents C & D change your view of what caused the Salem Witch Trials?

11. Take 8 minutes to write your final analysis on the back of your paper.

12. Paragraph Share