Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem

Nonfiction Book
Author: Rosalyn Schanzer
Copyright: Rosalyn Schanzer, 2011
Publisher: National Geographic Society

Reading Level:
     Ages: 10 and up
     Grade Level Equivalent: 5 and
     up
     Lexile Measure: NC1190L

Five keywords/phrases to describe the book:
Paranoia, suspicion, supernatural, betrayal, mass hysteria

Suggested Delivery: Small group read, with teacher guidance

Summary: This informational book centers around Salem, Massachusetts in the late 1600s and early 1700s. Two girls from this colonial village fall ill, and society is quick to blame witchcraft. A domino effect takes place, and soon almost everyone in town, as well as surrounding towns and states in New England, is accusing someone else of being a witch. Afraid of being condemned to death, some confess their practice with witchcraft knowing that confessing is the only thing that will save them from dying. With no physical evidence linking the accused with the Devil, the town is unsure of what to do. This well written story takes readers through the journey of what it was like to live in Salem during this time, and the outcome will surprise all.

Vocabulary:
1) Horrid (page 11)
2) Vestments (page 13)
3) Seraphs (page 14)
4) Elixir (page 22)
5) Convulsions (page 23)
6) Contortions (page 23)
7) Pious (page 25)
8) Prodigious (page 25)
9) Imps (page 26)
10) Mulatto (page 42)
11) Cantankerous (page 43)
12) Deluge (page 55)
13) Apparition (page 64)
14) Fervently (page 65)
15) Conjurer (page 66)
16) Rapt (page 70)
17) Unvarnished (page 77)
18) Condemned (page 82)
19) Abolish (page 89)
20) Gallows (page 93)
21) Recant (page 96)
22) Unheeded (page 101)
23) Malicious (page 105)
24) Scrutinized (page 109)
25) Embittered (page 117)
26) Restitution (page 120)

Electronic Resources:

Interactive Activity - National Geographic provides an interactive activity for students to use to see what it would feel like to be a part of the Salem Witch Trials through the eyes of an accused witch. The activity provides information and scenarios that were common to most people during this time period, and students can choose to either confess or stay true to their innocence. This is a fun activity that can take the so-called "boredom" out of reading an non-fiction book.

YouTube Video - This 23 minute-long documentary helps solidify the severity of the events that happened in Salem. This video could be used before reading, to help introduce the concepts and events, which will make the book easier to read for students. Students tend to learn a subject more efficiently if they are interested in what they are learning. Incorporating a video into this lesson could help ensure student comprehension.

Comprehension Strategies:
Before: Prior to reading this book, have a class discussion about what students think a "witch" is. Have students draw what they think a witch looks like on their own. After they're done drawing, have students share their drawings with the class and start a class discussion. Ask them to describe what characteristics a witch has, how they act, and why they think they look like how students' drew them.

During: Throughout the story, the author provides pictures for students to look at and refer to in order to depict the current situation. In their small reading groups, have students use sticky notes to caption these pictures. The captions should reflect what they think is going on in the picture, as well as the story text itself.

After: In their small reading groups, have students pick a main character featured in the book. On a sheet of giant poster paper, students should draw a picture of what they think this character looks like, include important facts about the person, their relatives, their role in the Salem Witch Trials (accuser, accused, etc), the outcome they faced, and any important dates in this person's life. Students will share their poster with the class upon completion.

Writing: There are a lot of theories on what caused the Salem Witch Trials. Some believe it was truly the Devil, while others believe the girls' were experiencing some other sickness, and were peer pressured into blaming witches. Have students complete a short writing prompt centered around the question, "What do you think truly caused the Salem Witch Trials? Why do you think this?" Students will hand this prompt in for teacher review.

Citation:
Schanzer, R. (2011). Witches!: the absolutely true tale of disaster in 
          Salem. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.