THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS

Do Now: (NOT a Journal)• Imagine you are a prisoner awaiting a trial

that, if you are convicted, could result in your death.

• You are sitting in your cell wondering what awaits you….

• Jot down a list of feelings and/or emotions that you may have.

It does not matter if you have committed the crime or not.

HOW CAN THIS RELATE TO SOCIETY?

• Selfishness

• Survival

• Actions that are determined by self-

interest are not in the group's interest

 

WHICH OF YOU IS A WITCH?!

Carefully read over the document, paying

particular attention to the investigation

questions. Answer the following alone, then

discuss with a partner:• Imagine how you would feel during the

investigation proceeding.• Would this investigation be “fair”?

• Imagine different results stemming from the investigation. • How will the trial play out? • How will students try to save themselves or

not?

Interrogators

You will receive a sheet of information on these students.

Your job is to:

• Read and discuss the list

• Make a list of “decisions” about each student

• Make interrogation questions for each

Accused Students

You will receive a sheet about your student.

Your job is to:• Read and discuss information

about you…What can we use as a defense?

• A plea:

Incriminate another student to be let free

Plead not guilty and take a chance

Plead guilty

Combo

Something else.

THE INVESTIGATION

DISCUSSION:

What assumptions were made

about those who were accused

based on the very little

information you were given?

Why?

How did your personal and

school-wide values show

themselves throughout the

hearing?

Was justice done in any of the

cases?

Did the accused students

provide ethical defenses for

themselves?• Why did they make the choices

that they did? How would this affect others?

How do modern-day witch

hunts occur?• Do situations occur today where

falsely accused people gain their freedom, but never regain their reputations? Examples?• Do situations occur today where

innocent people are accused and are punished for their actions? Examples?