In this lesson, students learn about the delivery of justice in 1692. Through a reenactment, they learn about fair and equal access and the role of a jury.
Pictured: Judge Jesus Rodriguez leads a class at Hooker Oak Elementary School in Butte County. For the Salem Witch Trials, the lesson asks students to reenact the trial. With enough planning in advance, students assigned a role often like to dress up for the visit. Read article
Source: Salem Witch Trial Mock Trial program, developed by San Diego County Superior Court Judge Joan Weber’s Salem Witch Trial Mock Trial program.
Objectives:
1. Students will identify and explain the three branches of government, with a focus on the judicial branch.
2. Students will compare and contrast a historic court case with and without the Bill of Rights.
3. Students will apply and analyze the Bill of Rights, with a focus on Amendments 6 and 7.
Lesson Plan (includes instructions for presenting)
Handouts:
Handout: 3 Branches of Government
Handout: Scripts (there are two scripts to choose from, one is longer than the other)
Tip: share with the teacher in advance so they may assign "acting" roles. Also available in Spanish
Handout: Bill of Rights
The teacher may prepare the class about this case prior to your visit, or wish to discuss the case further post-visit. These additional materials may be shared with the teacher:
These sources provide context around the trials, including details about life during colonial times, historian perspective, and details about those accused and brought to trial:
Primary Sources: Library of Congress
Reading Assignment(s) Prior to the Visit (Optional):
History of the Salem Witch Trials (Source: History of Massachusetts WIKI)
A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials (Source: Smithsonian)
The Witchcraft Trials in Salem: An Account (Source: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law)
After the visit, be sure to collect Feedback forms!