The Crucible Unit

Lesson 1
University of Mary Washington
Aubrey Kennedy
Title: Unit Overview & Pre-Test
Grade Level: 11
Materials:
One computer for each student
Lesson PowerPoint
White board and markers to post lesson objectives, standards, rationale, agenda, and
homework.
Twitter worksheet (on Google Classroom)
Unit Essential Questions/Big Ideas:
How do literary devices impact literature?
How do historical events influence literature?
VA SOLs: 11.2 A & B: a) Use technology and other information tools to organize and display
knowledge in ways others can view, use, and assess; b) Use media, visual literacy, and
technology skills to create products.
Learning Outcomes/Objectives:
Students will know the various ways they will demonstrate understanding using technology in
this unit.
Students will understand that technology is a tool that facilitates learning.
Students will be able demonstrate knowledge visually using technology.
Assessments:
Formative
Pre-test of students understanding of literary devices and their significance.
Homework assignment (background information about the Salem Witch Trials and
Joseph McCarthy)
Activities/Procedures:
1. (Hook) The teacher will facilitate a discussion among students about the various ways
they use technology.
2. Students will register for Google Classroom.
3. (Pre-test)
a. Students will create a Coggle account using their Google account.
b. Students will create a Coggle (digitally organize and display knowledge) in
which they will define (to the best of their ability) the eight literary devices they
will be studying in this unit. In the Coggle, they will also include why they
think these devices can enhance the meaning of a text.

c. Students will submit this Coggle through Google Classroom.

d. Students who complete this activity before their peers will have the opportunity to
add images and edit the colors and format of their Coggle. Possible extension
activities can be found here: https://coggle.it/diagram/VfQqad5caWRBKzhf.
4. (Unit Overview)
a. The teacher will show the class the Unit Overview PowerPoint and explain the
unit in detail.
b. The teacher will review SOLs and ISTE standards with the class.
c. The teacher will explain unit objectives and essential questions.
d. The teacher will explain how students will be graded during this unit.
e. The class will complete a KWL chart, in which students will articulate what they
already know and what they would like to learn during this unit. At the end of the
unit, the class will complete this chart.
5. (Homework)
a. Students will research one fact about the Salem Witch Trials and one fact about
Joseph McCarthy. Students will either tweet their answers before class using the
class hashtag #ENGL11K or add their facts to a Google Doc (in 140 characters,
still including the same hashtag, in twitter format) in Google Classroom.

Examples of Student Work: Pre-test

Examples of Student Work: Post-test

The Crucible Unit

Lesson 2
University of Mary Washington
Aubrey Kennedy
Title: Using the WebQuest Model of Inquiry to Understand Historical Context of The
Crucible
Grade Level: 11
Time Frame: 60 minutes
Model: WebQuest Model of Inquiry
Designed by: Instruction: A Models Approach by Thomas H. Estes, Susan L. Mintz, Mary
Alice Gunter
Materials:
Paper and pencil for taking notes during the WebQuest
Literature textbook
Computer for each student
b. WebQuest (http://thecruciblewebquest11.weebly.com/)
White board and markers to post lesson objectives, standards, rationale, agenda, and
homework.
Essential Questions/Big Ideas:
What themes do the Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible, and McCarthyism all have in
common?
VA SOLs: 11.4: The student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American
literature, history, and culture.
Learning Outcomes/Objectives:
Students will know the themes, setting, and key facts associated with the Salem Witch Trials,
The Crucible, and McCarthyism.
Students will understand that knowing historical context can enhance a readers
comprehension of a text.
Students will be able to connect the themes of the Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible, and
McCarthyism.
Assessments:
Formative
List of common themes
Activities/Procedures:
6. (Hook) The teacher will create a Wordle using students tweets from their homework
assignment, which required them to tweet one fact about the Salem Witch Trials and one
tweet about Joseph McCarthy.

7. (Webquest Model of Inquiry) Students will complete the WebQuest on the background
information of The Crucible.
a. http://thecruciblewebquest11.weebly.com/
b. This WebQuest will require students to complete research on the Salem Witch
Trials, The Crucible, and McCarthyism. Students will work in pairs to research
the themes of each.

Themes of the Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible, and McCarthyism Wordle:

The Crucible WebQuest