The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. It was one of the darkest and most mysterious episodes in American history. The trials resulted in the execution of 20 people, most of whom were women. Today, there is a growing interest in the Salem Witch Trials, and many people turn to documentaries to learn more about this fascinating period. Netflix, one of the most popular streaming platforms, offers several documentaries on the Salem Witch Trials, providing viewers with a chance to delve deeper into the history and circumstances surrounding these events. One of the documentaries available on Netflix is "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence.
One of the documentaries available on Netflix is "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." This documentary takes a closer look at the primary documents and evidence from the trials, offering insights into the social, religious, and cultural factors that contributed to the hysteria. It explores the role of religion in colonial Massachusetts and examines the motivations and psychology of the accusers and the accused.
Salem Witch Trials Documentary, Complete Viewing Unit, Questions/Activities
The Teacher-Author indicated this resource includes assets from Google Workspace (e.g. docs, slides, etc.).
What educators are saying
This was a great resource to supplement an APUSH lesson on the Salem Witch Trials. I particularly liked the "eulogy" assignment at the end as it required students to analyze both primary and secondary sources to write about a victim of their choosing.
— Savannah V. Rated 5 out of 5Great resource to help set up historical context in understanding the elements of the time period before reading crucible
— Diana B. Rated 5 out of 5 See all reviewsDescription
There are two activities in this pack to introduce your students to the events of the Salem Witch Trials, to supplement your Crucible or American History lesson, as an emergency sub plan, or even for a quick Halloween lesson. They can be used consecutively or independently. Student Experience: As students watch the documentary, the questions included on the viewing guide hold students accountable for the material they see in the documentary. I’ve provided a short answer version of the questions and a multiple choice version as well. Following the documentary, students will examine the stories of victims of the Salem Witch Trials and write a eulogy. Included: - Teacher's guide - Active viewing, short answer questions, PDF and Digital for Google - Multiple Choice Questions/Quiz, PDF - In Search of History Primary and Secondary Sources Short Research Project and Creative Writing Task, PDF and Digital for google - Super Simple Sub Sheet - Answers *Access to the documentary required. **Note: This viewing guide is included in my Crucible Unit Plan. Classroom success stories from other teachers who have loved this resource: ♥ "I loved that this one asks students to think about the material but isn't so invasive that they feel they are just answering questions without an opportunity to actually enjoy the information. Loved the layout and the alternative format--can be used as a formative assessment, admit slip, or review!" ♥ "GREAT resource! You can use it in class, or leave it for a sub. Directions for a sub are included! I love the questions - they're not just on a page numbered 1, 2, 3, etc, but are very creatively placed on the page. As if that's not enough, a quiz is also included. Very nice!" ♥ "Great activity for assessment for understanding after reading the play! Very comprehensive and easy to follow for students. Also great for sub work!" ♥ "This caught my students' attention. I love all of your work. Thank you for the time and effort put into each one--it shows." Looking for more interesting and engaging movie guides to make showing film in class more rigorous? Check out the following titles: The Great Gatsby Ransom of Red Chief Their Eyes Were Watching God Speak The Hunger Games Frankenstein Beowulf Mark Twain Biography Edgar Allan Poe Biography Shakespeare Documentary Martin Luther King, Jr. Documentary Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies and product launches. Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to FOLLOW ME. Voila! You will now receive email updates about my store. For more ideas and inspiration: Faulkner's Fast Five Blog Julie's Classroom Stories on Instagram Julie's Classroom Stories on Facebook Teaching Middle and High School English Facebook Group Yearbook and Journalism Facebook Group Pinterest Terms of Use: Please one classroom use only. Not to be shared online without proper security. Additional licenses sold at a discount at checkout. All images and art documented inside file. Updated 2023
Total Pages 9 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 90 minutes Report this resource to TPTReported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT’s content guidelines.
Standards
to see state-specific standards (only available in the US). CCSS CCRA.R.7Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
CCSS CCRA.W.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Another documentary worth watching is "Witch Hunt: Salem's Witch Panic." This film provides a broader context for the witch trials by discussing other witch hunts in Europe and America. It highlights the fear and paranoia that swept through Salem during this period and offers a comprehensive analysis of the events leading up to the trials. "Secrets of the Dead: The Witches Curse" is another intriguing documentary that investigates the possibility of ergot poisoning as a contributing factor to the accusations and hysteria. This film explores the theory that the consumption of contaminated bread may have produced hallucinations, leading to the belief in witchcraft and the subsequent trials. Lastly, "Salem Witch Trials" is a mini-series that offers a dramatized retelling of the events, based on historical records and testimonies. This gripping series brings the characters to life and provides a vivid depiction of the fear and paranoia that gripped Salem during this time. These documentaries on Netflix provide a comprehensive and multi-faceted exploration of the Salem Witch Trials. They offer different perspectives and theories, allowing viewers to form their own opinions about the events that unfolded. By shedding light on this dark period in American history, these documentaries contribute to a better understanding of the cultural and societal factors that can lead to mass hysteria and the persecution of innocent individuals..
Reviews for "Beyond the Witch Hunt: Examining the Social Dynamics of the Salem Trials"
- Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to watch the "Saem witch trials documentaries" on Netflix, but I was left disappointed. The documentaries lacked depth and felt superficial. It seemed like the filmmakers were just trying to sensationalize the topic instead of providing an insightful exploration of the witch trials. The narration was melodramatic and the interviews with experts were too brief to provide any substantial information. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time watching these documentaries.
- John - 2/5 - As a history enthusiast, I was looking forward to learning more about the Salem witch trials through the documentaries on Netflix. However, I found them to be quite repetitive and lacking in factual accuracy. The same information was presented repeatedly, and there were several instances where the documentaries relied on speculation rather than evidence-backed arguments. I expected a more comprehensive and well-researched exploration of the topic, but these documentaries fell short of my expectations.
- Emily - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish watching the "Saem witch trials documentaries" on Netflix because they were so poorly made. The production quality was subpar, with blurry visuals and inconsistent audio levels. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the repetitive nature of the content made it feel like I was watching the same thing over and over again. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the witch trials, but instead, I felt like I wasted my time on a poorly executed documentary series. I would not recommend it.