The Salem Witch Trials

Summary
This lesson introduces students to the Salem Witch Trials.

Objectives
• To be able to list some of the Salem Trials? key characters.

• To be able to describe the history of the Salem Trials.

Suggested Grades
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
The Salem Witch Trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts. Overall, nineteen men and women were hung at Gallows Hill from June through September in 1692. They were hung because they were convicted of witchcraft. The story of the Salem Witch Trials begins in an unexpected way.

In 1688, Samuel Parris was invited to become the preacher at the church in Salem Village. He was invited by John Putnam, an influential elder of Salem Village. After a year of negotiations, Parris accepted the job and moved with his wife, Elizabeth, and their six-year-old daughter, Betty. They also brought their niece, Abigail Williams and an Indian slave named Tituba.

Continued...