TASK

You have been wrongfully accused of witchcraft and have been thrown in jail. Your job is to keep a journal of your stay in the jail cell, the occurrences of the trial, and your feelings of witchcraft. In your last journal entry, you will write as if you have been found guilty and are waiting to be hanged. Write your thoughts and feelings about the outcome. After the journals are completed, you will be assigned to groups of five where you will perform your own mock trial.

PROCESS 1. Watch the video describing the happenings of the Salem Witch Trials: The Story (This link can be found in the Resources section) 2. After watching the movie, choose one of the accused persons that you wish to portray and begin a journal of about 5 days long or longer describing the trials, your feelings, and how people are treating you. This website: Character Information can help you to learn more about your character so that you will be able to share the feelings that they may have had. (The link to Character Information can be found in the Resources section.) 3. You may find another person who has chosen to be the same character as you and discuss your ideas and feelings that you want to write about in your journals. 4. When the journals are completed you will get together with your assigned group and discuss your roles which are as follows: 1. Three judges 2. The persons accused of witchcraft 3. The girls who have been afflicted with witchcraft. 5. You will spend a few days getting to know your role and deciding the outcome of your trial. Each group will then get a chance to perform their mock trial in front of the class.

Resources The Story Character Information National Geographic Background Information The Accused Judge Hathorne Judge Samuel Sewall Judge William Stoughton

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Knowledge of History	Has no knowledge of historical background. Makes up information.	Has a vague knowledge of historical background. Somewhat accurate information.	Very accurate, able to use many historical facts.	Uses historical facts accurately and creatively. Goes above required amount.
Spelling and Grammar	Multiple spelling mistakes, inappropriate use of punctuation or lack thereof.	Minimal spelling mistakes. Appropriate use of punctuation.	Less than five spelling or grammar mistakes.	Spelling and grammar are used perfectly.
Clear Details	Ideas are confusing, entries do not run smoothly.	Minimal amount of detail, only part could be understood.	Sufficient use of detail, entries run smoothly, conveys a clear understanding.	Excellent use of clear detail, exceptional understanding of information.
Demonstrating Emotion and Character Role-Play	Shows no emotion, plays an inappropriate role.	Minimal emotion, not really getting into character.	Sufficient amount of emotion, knows character well.	Very emotional, has a deep knowledge of character's background and demonstrates it.
Participation	Missing work, entries are short, not active during trial.	Entries are short and to the point. Doesn't speak or act out a lot during the trial.	Entries are fully completed. Good amount of contribution to the trial.	Journals are handed in early, containing more than the desired amount. Uses props during trial and plays a major role.

CONCLUSION At this point you are now very familiar with the happenings of the Salem Witch Trials. You know how it felt to be accused and to be the accuser. I hope this makes you thankful for America today where you have the opportunity to a fair trial compared to 1692 where you didn't even need proof to prosecute a person. Keep in mind the differences of trials between then and now and if you think that these trials could happen today and what the outcome would be.