The Witch Of Blackbird Pond

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Wethersfield Newspaper”

In this activity, students will create a fictional newspaper that reflects the narrative of the novel as it would be reported and discussed in the Puritan society of 17th-century New England.

In the novel, readers encounter a variety of societal and personal challenges faced by the characters in a Puritan society of 17th-century New England. The unfolding events surrounding Kit Tyler and the accusations of witchcraft highlight the differing perspectives and societal norms of that era. In this activity, create your own historical newspaper showing the events, reactions, and daily lives of the characters and their community.

• Work in a small group of 3-4 peers to research the style, language, and format of 17th-century newspapers. Investigate ways to structure news articles, opinion pieces, and other sections.
• Each group member will create different components of the newspaper such as news articles, opinion pieces, interviews, or advertisements.
• As a whole, the newspaper should recount the suspenseful events from the novel, offer differing views on witchcraft and Puritan norms, reveal interviews with the characters that uncover their thoughts, and include advertisements showcasing the products or services of the time.
• Each group will share their newspaper with the class.

In your reading notes or journal, reflect on what you learned about the historical setting, the characters, and the events of the novel through this project. You can also reflect on the process of collaborating to create a cohesive final product and what insights you gained into the perspectives of different characters through this creative endeavor.

Teaching Suggestion: Once groups are formed, it may be helpful to assign certain additional roles to individual students such as editor, writer, and designer, to ensure that each student has clear responsibilities. Alternatively, each group might create their one section of a single class-created newspaper, with individual students responsible for different components.

Differentiation Suggestion: For increased focus and scaled practice with analytical skills, students with executive functioning learning differences might choose from a supplied, pre-selected list of events in the novel. 

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. As the story progresses, so does Kit’s relationship with her uncle Matthew.

• How does Kit’s relationship with Matthew evolve throughout the story? (topic sentence)
• Give 3 specific examples of interactions between Kit and Matthew that show the change in their relationship throughout the year.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize the way in which their relationship demonstrates the theme Listen to Your Heart.

2. Puritan society in Connecticut is characterized in the novel as one marked by intolerance.

• Does intolerance mostly maintain or mostly disrupt the social order within the Puritan community? (topic sentence)
• Determine which situations of intolerance in the Puritan community best support the idea stated in your topic sentence. Analyze and discuss these situations as key evidence in your argument, explaining how intolerance affects the order of society.  
• In your concluding sentence, summarize how the inhabitants of Wethersfield as a group demonstrate The Dangers of Intolerance.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Kit and other characters in the novel often find themselves at a crossroads where they must make choices driven either by emotional impulses or societal norms. Examine the choices made by characters when driven by personal desires or emotional impulses as opposed to those guided by societal norms or rational thinking. How do these decisions impact not only the characters themselves but also their relationships and the larger community? In an essay of 3-5 paragraphs, analyze and discuss how these decisions and their consequences impact the system of societal norms and expectations in reinforcing or challenging them. Incorporate at least 3 quotations from the text to support your ideas and explain their significance.

2. Explore the significance of the meadow in terms of different characters. How does the meadow function as both a liberating and confining space, and how do these dual roles represent characters’ internal and external lives? In an essay of 3-5 paragraphs, explore and address the meadow’s symbolic function in the novel and its connection to broader themes of freedom, societal norms, and personal desires. In your response, include at least 3 quotations or text details that highlight its different meanings to different characters.

3. In The Witch of Blackbird Pond, the story unfolds through different seasons, each bringing a unique backdrop to the events and emotions portrayed. How do the seasons correspond with major events in the story? Do they amplify or contrast the mood of these events? How do the community’s attitudes and actions align or clash with the seasons? In an essay of 3-5 paragraphs, analyze and discuss the ways in which the seasons reflect Kit’s personal journey. Cite specific examples from the text in your response.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which character shows the most transformation in their views on tolerance and acceptance by the end of the novel?

A) Matthew Wood

B) Rachel Wood

C) Nat Eaton

D) John Holbrook

2. What motivates Kit to teach Prudence to read and write?

A) A desire to elevate her own social standing

B) A rebellion against Puritanical norms

C) An act of kindness and empowerment

D) A calculated move to gain favor with Prudence’s parents

3. What role does Nathaniel Eaton play most effectively in Kit’s personal growth?

A) He provides her with financial stability.

B) He teaches her about Puritan traditions.

C) He helps her reconnect with her Barbadian recollections.

D) He challenges her preconceived notions.

4. Why does Kit find solace in her friendship with Hannah?

A) They both feel like outsiders.

B) They both are wealthy.

C) They share religious views.

D) They both are well-educated.

5. How does the novel portray the consequences of religious intolerance?

A) It shows that intolerance leads to social harmony.

B) It illustrates that intolerance can divide communities and lead to unjust actions.

C) It argues that intolerance is sometimes necessary.

D) It suggests that religious intolerance is exaggerated.

6. How does Hannah Tupper’s behavior illustrate the theme of Listen to Your Heart?

A) She abandons Quaker beliefs to fit in.

B) She advises Kit to marry William Ashby.

C) She continues her Quaker practices despite persecution.

D) She moves away to avoid conflict with the community.

7. How does Kit’s trial impact the way other characters view justice and fairness in their society?

A) It reinforces their trust in the judicial system.

B) It causes them to reject justice and turn to anarchy.

C) It strengthens the community’s unity against outsiders.

D) It sows seeds of doubt about the fairness of their society.

8. What can be inferred about Goodwife Cruff’s attitude toward her daughter Prudence?

A) She holds high expectations for her education.

B) She is neglectful and dismissive.

C) She is overly protective.

D) She aims to foster Prudence’s independence.

9. What does The Witch symbolize for Kit?

A) The lure of danger

B) The promise of freedom

C) The burden of societal norms

D) The uncertainty of the future

10. How does Mercy respond to adversity throughout the story?

A) With patience and kindness

B) With denial and escapism

C) With bitterness and resentment

D) With stoicism and silence

11. What is suggested by John’s initial hesitance to contradict Reverend Bulkeley?

A) He has a strong independent streak.

B) He highly values religious doctrine.

C) He fears societal judgment.

D) He is unsure of his own beliefs.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does the presence of ships symbolize Kit’s evolving sense of identity and belonging?

2. What issues do the people in Wethersfield have with the monarchy? Provide an example of how people in Wethersfield demonstrate their resistance.