Crucible Webquest
Source: Laurie Petronis P2LS@aol.com
The Challenge:
You will embark upon an Internet Search Mission.
Be forewarned, only the well prepared and Puritanical will survive!
Will you survive? Or, will you meet your fate on Gallows Hill?
To Prepare:
Remember, your life is at risk- select partners who have paid close
attention in class to The Crucible and who are well-versed in Puritan
thought. You will need their help if you wish to make it home to your
Salem cottage alive!
Your notes on The Crucible
Your copies of the play
A 20 point outline of the play (break this into acts for clarity). You
could create this from the synopsis that I gave you.
You will visit four web sites.
You will discuss and answer questions regarding 3 of these sites.
You will then test your knowledge of the Salem Witch Trials by "being" a
Puritan and living, or dying, in, the year 1692.
You will complete the quest in two class periods, in the Communication
Center.
You will have one class period to debrief the outcome of your quest,
plan your essays and delegate tasks.
You will then have two nights to create the written answers, in essay
form, to the four Internet visits you made.
You will have two days to type your essay in the Communication Center.
You will turn in three thorough and well-written typed essays to be
evaluated by your Puritan judge, the Honorable Reverend Sierra-Perry.
Grading:
You will receive grades for the following:
* Preparation: Outline of play (one per group) Make sure that each
member has a copy to use as a study guide.
* Library Work/Communication Center- on task behavior
* 4 Typed Essays: (four essays per group)
1) The Plots Thickens?
2) Fact verses Reality
3) The Lesson Continues
4) The Witch Hysteria Interactive Journey(Postcard sent to MS-P with required
comments.)
Web Quest:
Task: Visit the following Web Sites and follow the directions for each, as given below.
I) The Plot Thickens? Salem Witch Trials: A Chronology
http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/default.htm
1. Go to this web site and view the chronology
2. Print a copy of this chronology of the Salem Witch Trials
3. Compare/Contrast this chronology with the outline you created for
The Crucible.
4. Note three major differences between the chronology and your
outline.
5. Why do you believe Arthur Miller "distorted" reality when creating
the plot outline for his play?
II) Fact verses Reality:Arthur Miller's The Crucible: Fact or Fiction
By Margo Burns http://www.ogram.org/17thc/crucible.shtml
1. Go to this web site.
2. Print a copy of Margo Burns' essay.
3. Select three historical inaccuracies that intrigue you.
4. Why do you think Arthur Miller "distorted" reality when creating
the characters and events for his play, The Crucible?
a) What problems may have arisen if the playwright had maintained
historical accuracy?
b) Why would the audience have difficulty believing his plot had he
used correct historical information?
c) How is the play strengthened through the "distortion" of reality?
III) The Lesson Continues:The Crucible Project: Witch Hunts
http://204.165.132.2:90/crucible/whunts/huntable2.htm
1. Select one of the listed examples of "witch trials without witches"
that intrigues you. (i.e.: Holocaust, Japanese Internment Camps)
2. Read the materials on the witch trial you have selected.
3. Print a copy of the essay you read.
4. After reading about a more contemporary witch trial, what do you
believe is a universal message that is offered by Miller's play,The
Crucible?
a) "We learn from the mistakes we make." - What has the world
learned from the mistake made in Salem in the year 1692?
b) "Let history never repeat itself." What has the world failed to
learn from both the Salem Witch Trials and your selected trial?
IV) This assignment is to be completed by EACH
student:
The Witch Hysteria: An Interactive Adventure
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/salem
1. Now it's up to you: Will you survive?
2. Visit this site.
3. Follow the directions on the screen as you "continue" through
your virtual journey in Salem, 1692.
4. Tips when navigating:
a) Click on all "white underlined names." These are features that
explain historical figures and their roles in the witch trials.
b) Click on all "red underlined phrases." These will allow you to
proceed through your virtual journey.
c) Look carefully at the scroll bars and follow arrows so that you do not miss any helpful information. Remember, you need to read all the information given, as you attempt to save your life!
5. Will you confess?
a) When you reach this screen, consider what you know about the
Puritans before making a hasty decision.
b) Proceed with caution.
6. When you reach the epilogue, Click "Continue."
7. Select your first underlined red choice, "Find out what happens if you...." Play it again, Sam, with your other option. If you confessed, now don't. If you refused to confess, try it this time.
8. When you reach the epilogue a second time, select " Send a
postcard to a friend." (your 4th underlined red choice)
9. Send me a postcard! Prove you completed the journey and offer me
your comments.
amlit@schoolmail.com
10. Postcard comments:
a) What did you learn? With which character in The Crucible did you identify? How so?
b) Your frustrations?
c) Any surprises?
d) Which choice would you make if your "real" life was at risk? Why?