The Witchcraft of Salem Village

Cycle 1, Day 5

Agenda

• Reading Goal:–Describe how the setting influences

characters’ actions and thoughts.

• Today’s Big Question:–How can people defend themselves

against rumor and gossip?

• Team Cooperation Goal:– Practice active listening

Vocabulary

Word Definition

Surmount To overcome

Tactful Showing sensitivity to the feelings of others

Frivolous Of little importance or seriousness

Cower To hide or shrink away from something threatening

Eloquent Clear, appealing, and forceful in speech

Afflicted Troubled, tormented, or suffering in some way

Prominent Standing out, noticeable

Prestige The degree of respect others hold for a person

Read pgs 61-68 silently. 1. This book takes place in 1692 in the small Massachusetts

town of Salem Village. Describe two ways in which the setting influences events.

2. On page 32, the author writes about the “fearful pride” of Salem Village on realizing “that their little village has been chosen to resist the great forces of darkness.” What does this tell you about how people in Salem Village view their role?

3. How does the author’s opinion of the girls change over time?

4. How does fear change the way the villagers look at their neighbors?

5. What actions does the community take in response to the new accusations of witchcraft?

6. What does Thomas Putnam mean when he observes that “people who pretended not to believe in witches generally had the most to fear from an investigation” (pg 68)?

Reflection # heads

• Why are rumors and gossip suddenly taken so seriously in Salem Village?

• What can people do to defend themselves against rumor and gossip?

• When someone spreads rumors about you in school, how do you think you should respond?

• When you hear someone spreading rumors or gossiping about another person, what should you do?