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Bonus Handouts
These handouts serve as supplements. The bonus handouts are labeled in the same way
as the handouts found in the book (example: act number, handout number). These
handouts continue in numerical order making it easy to incorporate the bonus activities
into the correct section of the unit.
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The Crucible
Before We Start
LESSON PLAN DETAILS
7. Setting Activity—hand out and have students complete in class (2 class periods)
8. Setting Activity: Background Preparation—hand out and have students complete in
class (2 phases @ 15 minutes each)
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Before We Start
Handout 7
Name
Date
Hour
Setting Activity
Does history repeat itself? For Arthur Miller it seemed to. He couldn’t help but notice the
striking similarities between the Salem Witch Trials of 1698 and the Red Scare that his
generation was experiencing in the 1950s. This realization led him to write The Crucible, a
parable that teaches a lesson about the present by examining the past. This activity makes
Miller’s vision of history clear.
Directions: Use the links or video resources listed below, and any others you encounter, to
complete the Venn Diagram.
Useful Videos:
• In Search of History: The Salem Witch Trials. (A & E Entertainment, 2000).
• Biography: Senator Joseph McCarthy: An American Inquisitor. (A & E Entertainment, 2000).
• 20th Century with Mike Wallace: Epidemic of Fear. (A & E Entertainment, 1999).
Salem Trials
Red Scare
Similarities
Differences
Differences
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The Crucible
Before We Start
Handout 8
Name
Date
Hour
Setting Activity, Background Preparation
To totally appreciate The Crucible, you need to know a little bit about the history behind
the story.
Directions: Before completing any research, list everything you know about the Salem
Witch Trials and/or the McCarthy Hearings. Also, generate five things that you want to
know about these events. After you’ve had a chance to research these topics, either through
the Internet, library sources, or videos, complete the chart with the knowledge that you
have gained. We’ve filled in three sample entries for you, to give you an idea of what type
of information to include.
Check out the following videos:
• In Search of History: The Salem Witch Trials. (A & E Entertainment, 2000).
• Biography: Senator Joseph McCarthy: An American Inquisitor. (A & E Entertainment, 2000).
• 20th Century with Mike Wallace: Epidemic of Fear. (A & E Entertainment, 1999).
Know
Example: Some women in
Salem were accused of, and
killed for, being witches.
Want to Know
Learned
Example: How did they prove
them guilty?
Example: Spectral evidence
was admissible in court and
nearly impossible to disprove.
The only witnesses were the
accused and the accuser,
so it was a lose/lose situation
for the accused.
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LESSON PLAN DETAILS
ACT ONE
8. Character Journal—hand out and have students complete in class (40 minutes)
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The Crucible
Act One
Handout 8
Name
Date
Hour
Character Journal
Characterization is the method used by a writer to develop how the character looks, acts,
and thinks. This activity gives you practice in looking at the text more than once and in
choosing the best quotes for the purpose. It also reinforces the individuality of each
character.
Directions: In the following chart, write four quotes from Act One that describes each
character.
Character
Quotes to Describe Appearance/Personality
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The Crucible
LESSON PLAN DETAILS
ACT TWO
8. Vocabulary: Create a Crossword Puzzle—hand out and have students complete in class
(1 class period)
9. Literary Devices—hand out and have students complete in class (1 class period)
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The Crucible
Act Two
Handout 8
Name
Date
Hour
Vocabulary: Create a Crossword Puzzle
This activity helps you learn these vocabulary words as well as review previous ones.
Creating clues provides practice with the words’ definitions and how we use them in
writing and speaking.
Directions: Use eight vocabulary words from current chapters as the starting point for this
crossword puzzle. Add in five vocabulary words from the previous chapters for a total of 13
words. Lay out the words in crossword fashion on a separate sheet of paper. Then, number
the boxes across and down, and shade in the unused boxes in the crossword puzzle below.
Lastly, write clues for the words under the appropriate column, across or down.
Crossword Puzzle
Across
Down
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The Crucible
Act Two
Handout 9
Name
Date
Hour
Literary Devices
This activity allows you to demonstrate your understanding of various literary devices and
their uses in the novel. It also asks you to give your opinion as to how effective these
techniques are.
Directions: Supply examples for the following literary devices, then answer the questions
that follow.
Imagery
Find one example of imagery.
Do you think this was a good way to describe the event? Why or why not?
Similes/Metaphors
Find one simile or metaphor.
Do you think this was a good way to describe the person or thing? Why or why not?
Diction/Word Choice
Find one interesting word choice.
Do you think this word was a good way to describe the person or thing? Why or why not?
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The Crucible
LESSON PLAN DETAILS
ACT THREE
8. Theme Analysis: Brainstorm the Possibilities—hand out and have students complete in
class (45 minutes)
9. Plot Analysis: Rising Action—hand out and have students complete in class
(1 class period)
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The Crucible
Act Three
Handout 8
Name
Date
Hour
Theme Analysis: Brainstorm the
Possibilities
Group Activity
A theme is a general concept or idea, such as love, justice, or sorrow. One way to help you
think of themes is to complete the following sentence: “This is a book about __________.”
By this point in a story, it’s likely that the author has introduced most, if not all, of the
themes he or she wishes to depict. Some themes are not well developed yet, but there are
clues as to what they are. This activity starts you thinking about the broader ideas the
author wants you to discuss. Working as a class and with a partner helps you increase the
number of ideas you have.
Directions: As a class, think of as many potential themes as you can and write them on the
board. Then, support one theme in more depth and present to the class.
In the box below, write down all of the themes you think of as a class.
Choose one theme from the box above. With a partner, go back to the book and look for
characters and events that demonstrate the theme.
1. I am finding evidence for the theme of __________________________________.
2. Here are three examples of this theme in the book (be sure to include page numbers).
1.
2.
3.
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The Crucible
Act Three
Handout 9
Name
Date
Hour
Plot Analysis: Rising Action
Group Activity
Plot is the series of events that make up the story. The rising action is simply the
progression of events and conflicts that make the story more interesting. Once the author
introduces the characters, the story really gets going. Major conflicts and problems begin
to occur. At this point, you’re familiar with most of the issues in the story. Together with
a partner, create a visual representation of the plot structure thus far according to the
instructions below. This activity helps you conceptualize the elements of the plot and apply
these terms to the story. It also helps you separate major plot points from minor episodes.
Directions: Decide with your partner which five events are the most important in the
storyline thus far. Write a brief summary of each one below (be sure to include the page
number).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Draw the Plot
Make a poster that illustrates the plot action up to this point. The basic plot diagram is
shown below. Explain and label the five rising action events described above. Mark the
climax point and resolution line; you’ll fill these in later. Be as creative as you wish in
designing and decorating your poster. Make it eye-catching.
Climax
Resolution
Rising Action
Exposition
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LESSON PLAN DETAILS
ACT FOUR
7. Literary Device: Irony—hand out and have students complete in class (45 minutes)
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Act Four
Handout 7
Name
Date
Hour
Literary Devices: Irony
Irony is a literary device that shows a contrast between appearance and reality, expectation
and result, or meaning and intention. This activity explains and reinforces the concept of
irony. It helps you understand its use. It provides an opportunity to apply your knowledge
in other areas.
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences, using examples from
the text.
What is Irony?
Using a dictionary or glossary of literary terms, define irony in the space below.
Irony in the Story
Discuss a clear example of irony in this story. Explain what is ironic about this situation.
Irony in Other Places
Think of an example of irony that you have experienced yourself, seen in someone’s life,
read in a book, or watched on film. Explain the situation below and be prepared to share
your example with the class.
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The Crucible
Reflect on Reading
LESSON PLAN DETAILS
Expository Writing–hand out and have students complete in class (3 class periods)
5. Symbols—hand out and have students complete in class (3 class periods)
6. Life-Sized Character Posters—hand out and have students complete in class
(3 class periods)
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The Crucible
Reflect on Reading
Expository Writing Topics
Expository writing is one method that allows students to synthesize what they have learned
after studying a novel. It requires students to take a broader look at a theme or idea
throughout the book, develop a thesis that argues their personal viewpoint, and use
evidence from the text to support their claims. Below are two topics to assign to your
students.
1. The author uses many symbols throughout the play. Choose three, explain what they
represent, and provide an evaluation of their usefulness in the story. Did the author
choose the best ones possible? Would another symbol have been better? Why?
2. Trace one theme, such as good vs. evil, civilization, human nature, or anarchy,
throughout the play and discuss what the author is attempting to tell the reader. Use
supporting evidence and analysis.
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Reflect on Reading
Handout 5
Name
Date
Hour
Symbols
Group Activity
A symbol is an object or action that stands for something else. Symbolism plays an
important role in the novel. Characters and things are used to represent key ideas that the
author wishes to convey. Understanding these messages is crucial to developing a deeper
appreciation for the play. Completing this symbolism project reinforces the abstract ideas
that each symbol represents and allows you to share your interpretations with your peers.
Directions: In groups of three, choose a symbol from the story, that can be supported by
the text. Create a visual representation of one of the many symbols in the novel. There are
no guidelines for the type of visual aid. Dolls, action figures, papier-mâché, etc. are all
acceptable starting places. Wherever you begin, though, be sure to make the object
uniquely your own by applying your own ideas and images.
Once you have created the object, you need to decide how you will convey its symbolic
meaning: pasting or hanging words on it, adding small images, etc. The choice is yours.
Remember that the symbol should be easy to display, and people who are not familiar with
the story should be able to discern what the object represents.
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Reflect on Reading
Handout 6
Name
Date
Hour
Life-Sized Character Posters
Group Activity
Throughout your study of the play, you have carefully observed the characters’
personalities and behavior. Now it is time to bring them to life by creating life-sized
posters that reveal who and what these people are. This activity lets you highlight the
essence of each character and demonstrate how well you understand their motivations.
Directions: Each group of three students receives a character. Complete the following
steps to create your life-sized poster.
First, trace the outline of one member of your group onto a large piece of butcher paper.
This is the foundation for your poster. Decorate the body so that it reflects your
character’s physical attributes.
Then, brainstorm a list of adjectives that describes your character’s personality. Add
important events that involve your character. Discuss your character’s role in the play and
what he represents. Find ways to display this information on your poster. You may write
words, attach images, etc. When someone looks at your finished work of art, they gain a
thorough understanding of the character.
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The Crucible
Answer Key
This section provides answers to activities and the test in the order in which they appear in
the guide.
Setting Activity
Before We Start
Handout 6
Answers will vary but may include:
similarities: unfair questioning, guilty until proven innocent, witch hunt, fear, hysteria,
personal agendas motivating testimony…
differences: centuries apart, Salem was about witches, Red Scare was about communists,
people were not hanged as a result of the Red Scare...
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