Salem Witch Trial WebQuest

Introduction

You have traveled back in time.  It is Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.  Witch hysteria has preoccupied the village for months on end.  Young girls have been accusing townspeople for practicing witchcraft.  Trials have been held to decide if they are guilty...or not.  It is your job to distinguish the role of each person, and determine how the trials affected their life. 

Task

Your task is to visit the sites below and research one of the most memorable and disastrous events in history, the Salem Witchcraft Trials.  During your venture you will become aware of the people involved, the causes and the reasons of these proceedings.  You should also be aware of the importance that having an equally valued opinion in society has on everyone, no matter what gender, race, or nationality.  You must present your findings in a Power Point Presentation.

Procedure

1.    Experience the trials by visiting:

National Geographic’s Salem Witch Trails

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/salem/

Ø  Write a short informational essay depicting the story behind the trials

2.    Read about the people behind the trials by visiting:

Discovery School Salem Witch Trials

http://www.school.discovery.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/index.html

Ø  Write a short informational essay about the people behind the trials

3.   Read about the accused by visiting:

Accused Witches Biographical Information

http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/biographies.html

Ø  Choose two participants of the trials and write a short biography

4.  Read the actual court cases by visiting:

Salem Witch Trials Documentary Info

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/

Salem Witch Museum

http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/learn.html

Ø  Write a short persuasive essay describing whether you feel the trials were fair or unjust.

5.  Compile all the research and utilize Power Point to present your findings.

Evaluation

Your PowerPoint must contain the following information:

Ø Slide One:       Title Page

Ø Slide Two:        Informational Essay on “The Story Behind the Salem Witch Trials”

Ø Slide Three:       Informational Essay on “The People Behind the Trials”

Ø Slide Four:       Biography on chosen person one

Ø Slide Five:        Biography on chosen person two

Ø   Slide Six:         Persuasive Essay on “Stereotyping- Unjust Treatment- My Thoughts…”

Your PowerPoint must contain the following functions:

Ø Different backgrounds for each slide

Ø Custom animations

Ø Slide Transition

Ø Word art

Ø Clipart/ Photos

Ø Must be in your own Words (no plagiarism)

Example

Good Luck ...Have Fun!!

Conclusion

By completing this Web Quest, you should have learned all about what happened in 1692 and realized how it varies from our court system today .