History Explored: The Salem Witch Trials for Middle Schoolers
Jennifer E Sumis
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(249)
In this 1 time class, students will learn about the Salem Witch Trials through a simulation, video and podcast clips, analyzing primary source and secondary source information and games.
Class experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Many people are fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials and what happened. In this 1 time class, we explore what might have happened to cause the mass hysteria that spread through Salem Village. Learners will analyze primary and secondary sources through slide presentations, video clips, a fun simulation, and games. *I would like to note that this is a beginner level class and is best suited for students who don't have much prior knowledge about this historical time period. Class...
Gather information from secondary and primary sources to learn about the Salem Witch Trials
I have a passion and love for history and love to pass that on to others. I have been teaching Middle School students for 13 years. I've taught ELA, World History, Geography, and Civics. I am currently teaching 7th and 8th grade American History and Civics in Chicago. I hold a BA in Secondary Education. I majored in History and minored in English. I am certified for secondary teaching in the state of IL with endorsements in World History, American History, English, ELA and Geography. I have had extensive training on sensitive topics, such as women's rights, slavery and racism through Chicago Public Schools partners such as Facing History and Ourselves and Stanford History Education Group. I have been teaching about the Witch Trials for the past 5 years in Chicago.
Homework Offered
Assessments Offered
The learners will participate in a quiz game of Kahoot at the end of the class.Grades Offered
Notebook Pen or pencil Access to an additional device for Kahoot (a phone, tablet, or laptop)
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
This class discusses why people accused others of using witchcraft and what officials did to "test" if a person was a witch or not. We briefly discuss these "tests", which were forms of torture to force confessions of innocent people, but we do not go into detail or share graphic content. It is merely introduced to show the absurdity of these trials and how easy it was to first accuse someone and then to elicit a false confession. We discuss the concept of witches and witchcraft from a historical perspective only.
Primary Source: http://www.caggiasocialstudies.com/docs/AH101/SalemTrialTrans.pdf Primary Sources: Stanford History Education Group: https://sheg.stanford.edu/history-lessons/salem-witch-trials Background Information: Audible Podcast: Morbid. "Episode 23: The Salem Witch Trials." Audible. Podcast Audio. History.com: The Salem Witch Trials - https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials Other Sources: Britannica PBS
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(249)
Hello and happy exploring! My name is Jennifer Sumis and I am a 7/8 grade Social Studies teacher in Chicago, Illinois. I love teaching and have been happily teaching for 10 years. I never thought I could love something as much as I love to be...
Group Class
$25
per classMeets once
90 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-14
3-12 learners per class
