Tuesday, October 28th

Reading Quiz #2! See Mrs. Evans to make up this quiz if you were absent.

We discussed literal meaning versus implied meaning in the text--especially paying attention to what characters SAID versus what they MEANT.
Then we assigned parts and read pp. 56-62 in class.

Newspaper writing activity:

Your job is to imagine you are a reporter for the “Puritan Times” newspaper. You have been sent to Salem from Boston to report on the on-going witchcraft trials (Acts 1 and 2 only).

1) Pick a specific character to “feature” in your article. Your options are:

Elizabeth Proctor (her accusation as a witch by Abigail)

Rev. Hale (his role in the trials/his concerns)

Tituba (either as a maligned, innocent victim of racism OR as the instigator of vile witchcraft)

Abigail Williams (as the "chief" accusor and instrument of God in the courtroom)

2) Decide if you want to work alone or with a partner. If you work with a partner, you both get the same grade for the work you do (choose wisely).

3) Your article should accurately represent the facts (as presented in your book), but it can include your opinion, just as real newspaper articles do.

4) While your main focus should be on the written portion—the “news article”—art, cartoons or other visuals are welcome if they are appropriate. “Courtroom sketches,” maps of the “incidents,” etc. are fabulous additions. Your article should be at least three paragraphs long.
1-2 sheets of paper per group can be obtained from the teacher for visuals.

5) Plan your time well and stay on task. This assignment is due in 30 minutes or the end of the period, whichever comes first.

Monday, October 27th

Quiz #1: see Mrs. Evans to make up this quiz over the reading homework.
After the quiz we discussed events from pp. 31-48.
We assigned parts and read pp. 42-48 in class.

HW for Tuesday: pp. 49-55 (reading quiz #2 on Tuesday!)

Thursday, October 23rd

After discussing the similarities and differences between the beginning of The Crucible and the beginning of the movie, "Three Sovereigns for Sarah," students wrote about it:

Students compared/contrasted how the movie portrayed witchcraft beginning vs. Miller's version in a "2-chunk" analysis paragraph. Differences should focus on how the PEOPLE or the EVENTS are portrayed in the movie versus the play.
Paragraphs were due in class. If you were absent, your paragraph is due when you return.

We began reading pp. 31-42 in class --finish for HW by Monday.

Tuesday, October 21st

In class, we assigned parts and read pp. 15-30 of The Crucible, stopping to discuss the relationships between characters and points of interest (historical background or allusions).

We began the character notes. Papers should be titled “Crucible Character Notes.”

1- Write down every character from the list at the front of the play, skipping at least 5 lines in between characters.

2- BEFORE you write anything else, go back through pp. 3-14 to remind yourself which characters have been introduced so far.

3-List physical, mental or emotional characteristics, as well as actions of the characters we have read about so far.

Monday, October 20th

We checked out Arthur Miller's The Crucible from the library. Some students will need to check back tomorrow for copies--another class still has not returned them. We will share for a few days if necessary.

In class, we assigned parts and read pp. 3-14. No homework assigned.

Thursday, October 16th

We continued our viewing of "Three Sovereigns for Sarah" up to just before the hanging of the condemned "witches." We then discussed the movie, focusing on how witchcraft is portrayed. Pay attention to the Putnam family and the "power struggles" between families.

Tuesday, October 14th

Connect American witchcraft to earlier occult beliefs and persecutions in Europe by reading sections from Wonders of the Invisible World by Cotton Mather (see Mrs. Evans for a copy).


Begin "3 Sovereigns for Sarah," paying close attention to how the witchcraft accusations began.

(Video link below)
--not currently working, see Mrs. Evans for a copy.

Monday, October 13th

THIS MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND SIX-WEEKS GRADING PERIOD.

Read "The Examination of Sarah Good, 1692" from the text and discuss in class.

To make up this assignment, read the text: http://www.the-night.net/witches/good.htm, then write a paragraph explaining what kinds of questions were asked of Sarah Good. Decide whether Sarah Good had a fair trial or not (justify your answer from the text).