week # 14
LESSON PLANS
Week of: 12/3 – 12/7
Instructor: A. Woods
Subject: English 11 (Periods 2,6,8,9)
MONDAY
12/3
TUESDAY
12/4
WEDNESDAY
12/5
THURSDAY
12/6
FRIDAY
12/7
UNIT: The Crucible
Pass out copies of excerpts from the Malleus Meleficarum (the Hammer of Witches) – which was the
official/unofficial handbook for inquisitors. Have the class get into pairs. Have them read the questions for
the excerpts and work together to find the answers in the text (it is a “dense” piece of text with difficult
language). They should underline key passages that directly answer questions – writing the number the
passage answers next to it.
As a class discuss the excerpts. What is the general theme? Why were women targeted? How did this book
make misogyny acceptable? How did this mindset lead to parts of the inquisition? How did this mindset
affect women throughout history?
This task should provide a historical context to how women were viewed, leading to their persecution.
UNIT: The Crucible
As a class, go over the questions for Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Comprehension questions will
follow the passage – students should read the questions for the excerpts and work together to find the
answers in the text (it is a “dense” piece of text with difficult language). They should underline key
passages that directly answer questions – writing the number the passage answers next to it. The answers
will be turned in for a classwork grade.
Overall discussion questions are: How does this version of religion differ from what we experience today?
What purpose was there for approaching religion in this way? What impact did instilling this mindset have
on people in Puritan villages? How did this mindset contribute to the events in Salem in 1692?
UNIT: The Crucible
Begin watching the History Channel video: Salem Witch Trials (50 min). Approach the video as if it were a
Regents Listening Task. This video will provide historical reference for the events in Salem, Massachusetts
(and what led to them) in 1692.
UNIT: The Crucible
Finish the Salem Witch Trials video. Discuss the key elements of the witch trials themselves (particularly
what sparked the trials, why the girls were believed, the use of spectral evidence, and what brought an end
to the trials). Also, how did this one event shape the development of our country?
UNIT: The Crucible
Pass out copies of the article Why I Wrote the Crucible: An Artist’s Answer to Politics, by Arthur Miller.
Also, pass out the questions that go with the article. This article serves as an introduction to the play and
gives an opportunity for students to work with non-fiction text. Students will be encouraged to read the
questions prior to reading. As they read, they will be required to highlight or underline passages within the
text that give evidence for the answers to the questions. Next to the underlined/highlighted portions, they
will also need to write the question number the passage refers to. The answers to the questions will be
turned in for a classwork grade.
plans may be subject to change