How Do You Test for a Witch?

Worksheet Description

This worksheet looks into the various methods employed during the Salem Witch Trials to determine if someone was a witch. Presented in a tabular format, the worksheet lists different tests, such as the “Touch Test,” “Dunking,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Spectral Evidence,” “Submersion,” and “Pressing.” For each test, students are directed to provide a brief explanation of how the method was purportedly supposed to work. An accompanying illustration of a whimsical witch further contextualizes the theme and adds a visual appeal to the worksheet.

The aim of this worksheet is to help students understand the often irrational and inhumane methods used to identify witches during the infamous Salem Witch Trials. By researching and explaining each test, students gain insight into the superstitions and fear-driven beliefs that fueled these practices. Additionally, the activity encourages critical thinking, as students might reflect on the fallibility and ethical implications of such tests. Through this exercise, learners are also prompted to recognize the dangers of unfounded beliefs and the importance of evidence and rationality in decision-making.