Your Students Will Love This Interactive Salem Witch Trials Activity
The Salem Witch Trials are one of those early American history topics that really capture students' attention. Between the court proceedings, stories of the people involved, and the hysteria surrounding the belief in witchcraft, teaching this topic is an opportunity to help students understand life in colonial Massachusetts. It gives students a chance to examine historical evidence and consider how fear, beliefs, and the justice system shaped the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
That is one of the reasons why I created this Salem Witch Trials virtual field trip. This carefully crafted activity goes beyond reading a textbook summary of what happened. Instead, it allows students the chance to explore historical places connected to the Salem Witch Trials while thinking critically about the people and decisions that shaped its history.
Bring Salem's History Into Your Classroom
In my research for this Salem Witch Trials activity, I was able to link several historical sites that have a connection to Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Within the Google Slides, I provide specific Google Earth links. Your students will tour the Turner House (House of Seven Gables) to get an understanding of the lifestyle of a wealthy merchant during this period. They will also view a thatched-roof cottage within the Salem Pioneer Village to better understand how the typical person lived during colonial times. I've also linked to the Salem Witch House, which has a direct connection to the Salem Witch Trials.
Fun Fact: My paternal grandma grew up in Salem and volunteered at the Salem Witch House as a teenager! Her childhood home was on Brown Street, just around the corner from the Salem Witch House.
Instead of simply moving through a list of facts, students follow a structured investigation with critical thinking response questions. Not only will your students learn about life in colonial Salem, but they will come to understand why witchcraft was taken seriously and why it was considered a crime.
Your students will also examine the witchcraft panic, consider the different roles people played in the events, and examine the trial of Bridget Bishop, who was one of the people accused and executed during the Salem Witch Trials. I have included direct quotes from the court documents of her trial within this resource.
Your students will also visit the Old Burying Point Cemetery and the Salem Witch Trial Memorial. They will have a chance to reflect on the people affected by the trials and how the history is remembered today. These locations give students a way to connect the historical narrative with real places, which can help make the past feel more tangible.
Encourage Critical Thinking, Not Just Memorization
One of my favorite things about teaching history is helping students move beyond remembering dates and names. I want them to ask questions, examine evidence, and consider why people made the decisions that they did. The Salem Witch Trials provide plenty of opportunity to do that.
Some of the important questions that your students will examine include: Why did people believe in witchcraft? Why did people believe the accusations? What was the mysterious illness? What counted as evidence in the courtroom? What happens when people are accused of something they cannot easily disprove? Looking at history through this lens can help students consider the historical context rather than judging the past without understanding it.
This virtual field trip includes all of the informational text and editable response questions throughout the activity. Students aren't just clicking through locations. They are using what they learn to develop explanations and think deeply about the events.
Remember the People Behind the History
The Salem Witch Trials are often taught through stories of mysterious accusations and supernatural beliefs. However, it is important to remember that these events involved real people whose lives were changed or ended because of the accusations. And some may have living descendants today. Visiting places like the Old Burying Point Cemetery and the Salem Witch Trials Memorial can lead to meaningful discussions about how communities remember difficult events or how past injustices can be acknowledged. Through this activity, students have a chance to learn about what happened while also considering why it matters today.
A Low-Prep Virtual Field Trip for Your Classroom
If you are looking for an engaging way to teach the Salem Witch Trials without planning an actual field trip, this digital activity is ready to use! This virtual field trip is set up in Google Slides with informational text to build background knowledge, Google Earth 360-degree views, editable student response questions, plus a grading rubric.
This virtual field trip can be led as a whole-class activity or it can be shared with students through Google Classroom or your school's LMS. Because everything is completed digitally, no printing is required. However, if you would rather have your students hand-write the responses to the questions, you could always just print the question slides.
If you are teaching early American history and want a structured, interactive way to help students investigate the Salem Witch Trials, take a look at this virtual field trip.
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