World History teaching resources for the high school classroom: lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes and simulation games for KS3, IGCSE, IB and A-Level teachers.
 

---

PowerPoint Show - Witchcraft

A simple starter activity: is each picture shown about how witches are created, how they are caught, how they are punished?

Introduction: Religion, Superstition and Witchcraft

Students start with Task 1, followed by a classroom discussion, just to get them thinking. Then, they place their worksheet face down on the table and I write this question on the board:  "When was the last witch executed?". Students turn their sheets back over, and a merit is awarded for the person who first shouts out the correct answer. Then, repeat with a second question: "Who wrote the 1590 book on witchcraft?". Then, we read through the account together before proceeding to the main activity (a piece of display work).

By the way, it's a nice idea to have some decent background music - "Witchcraft" by Frank Sinatra, "I ain't Superstitious" by Howlin' Wolf, "Good Luck Charm" / "You're the Devil in Disguise" by Elvis Presley...!

A Classroom Witch Trial - Lesson Plan and Evidence Slips
A Classroom Witch Trial - Trial Record Sheet

Always one of the highlights of the Year 8 course! With some students taking on the role of women accused of witchcraft, others acting as defence counsel, and others as prosecution lawyers, this is a lively unit which really helps students to understand the difference between facts, opinions and bias. After the classroom vote on who was "most guilty", it would be good fun to put the "victim" through the "water test" - ie pour a small glass of water over their head, declare them guilty as charged, and then "brand" them with the word "witch" across their forehead in board marker.

An Interview with Matthew Hopkins, WitchFinder General!

In this activity, students read through the 14 questions posed in Matthew Hopkins' "The Discovery of Witches", choose the 5 questions the think will put the Witchfinder General in the tightest spot, then the teacher provides the answers which were originally given by Hopkins. Follow-up questions (and the suggestion that the Blackadder Episode Witchsmeller Persuivant be watched!) are provided.

Sourcework: Witchcraft!

As the assessed piece of work, students complete this sourcework exercise.

Essay Assignment: Witchcraft

In timed conditions, students will write an illustrated essay on the theme of "The 16th Century witch craze". This document includes detailed guidance and images for them to cut out and use as captioned pictures for an illustrated essay.