Salem Witch Trials Escape - Digital & Print

Looking for an exciting way to introduce the Salem Witch Trials to your students? This challenging escape activity is designed to accompany history lessons on the Salem Witch Trials or The Crucible play. Starting The Crucible unit or the Puritan time period with this escape will stir students' interest in the accusations and evidence for the Salem Witch Trials. This escape has well-designed clues to engage your students and get them thinking critically.

Premise: students have recently discovered an ancestor of theirs was the first person in Salem hanged for witchcraft. They want to know about her, and as they research, they see that the names of others who were executed for witchcraft have been cleared. Now, the students are on a mission to clear their ancestor's name.

This escape bundle contains both print and digital versions.

For digital version, students click the link or use a QR reader to access the link (both options are included) to the Google Site housing the escape. Students click on pictures related to the trials and solve the puzzles. A self-checking Google Form for immediate feedback is included on the Google Site.

For the print version, simply print the 4 clues and read the suggestions for implementation.

⭐⭐⭐NO LOCKS OR BOXES for the print version? NO PROBLEM:

Option: Have students solve the clues without having any physical locks or boxes. Each clue has a picture of the lock they are trying to open along with the clue. A sheet is provided for students to write the code to each lock.

Option: Have students use a tech device and the included self-checking Google Form for immediate feedback to know if they are correct or need to keep trying.

This rigorous escape challenges students to consider possible reasons for the trials by delving into articles and primary trial documents. Students will examine the case of Bridget Bishop, the first person in Salem to be hanged for witchcraft. In doing so, they consider the evidence for and against her. Students also consider theories about the trials, including ergot poisoning. If they solve all the clues and click submit, they will see a congratulations message, which you can easily check for completion.

Also included:

► Teacher instructions

► Answer keys

► Link to an article about Bishop's name finally being cleared in 2011

► Handout for students to draw conclusions about what they learned during their online research

► Printable Hint Cards

► Teacher suggestions for clues.

► Answer Keys

► Pictures of locks needed for physical escape.

► Clue labels and suggestions on how to smoothly implement the print escape

⭐⭐⭐Just share the link & go or print & go! (The print version will take a few minutes to set up since you will need to print the clues. If you are setting physical locks, that will also take time.)

⭐Students will need Internet for both print and digital versions.

⭐Students do NOT need prior knowledge about the trials do complete this escape.

This lesson could last anywhere from 60 minutes to 90. My students usually take the full 90 minutes of a block schedule because reading and analysis are involved.

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