Student Activities for The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Essential Questions for The Witch of Blackbird Pond
- Why are people afraid of those who are different? What advantages can “different” people bring to a community?
- How does the characters’ Puritan faith affect their society in both positive and negative ways?
- What difficulties did colonists in 17th century New England face?
- What role do community, family, and country play in shaping our identities?
- How does Kit Tyler change and grow over the course of the book?
Historical Context
Students reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond may need some background on its historical context. A basic understanding of the British colonial empire in the seventeenth century will help students understand the connection between Connecticut and Barbados. Find a helpful background on the colonization of Barbados for more information.
The customs and beliefs of Puritans are also heavily referenced in the novel. While not all the characters are Puritan, the Puritan faith is the dominant force in Wethersfield. Although many Puritans left England to escape restrictive religious laws, this did not stop them from implementing their own. Their vision for a moral society shaped the legal and social practices of their settlements. Puritans valued prayer, pious reading, and hard work, and the frowned upon fancy dress, silly games, and secular songs and books. They expected all believers to follow the teachings of the Bible and required women and children to obey their husbands and fathers.
Social expectations and even local laws were based on this strict mentality. Nowhere was this more pronounced than in the notorious witch trials. In their fear of sinful disobedience, many Puritans saw the devil at work in the actions of those who diverged from their lifestyle. Women and men who disagreed with Puritan beliefs and looked or acted oddly were sometimes thought to be bewitched by the devil. Throughout the seventeenth century, dozens of people were executed for witchcraft, most famously in the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s.
Check out our resources on the Massachusetts Bay Colony!
The Witch of Blackbird Pond also highlights the political tension between the Connecticut colonists and the English government. Although nearly a century before the Revolutionary War, many colonists in the 1680s already felt that living in an American colony entitled them to a certain amount of autonomy from the British government. In fact, this is why many Puritans came to America in the first place. The religious freedom in the colonies was possible because the dominance of the Anglican Church in England itself was not enforced in its territories. In 1662, the colony of Connecticut was granted a charter from King Charles II which granted the colony a certain amount of self-government and freedom from direct oversight from the Crown. In 1685, however, Charles II died and his successor, King James II, refused to honor the charter. He consolidated several colonies into a single territory named the Dominion of New England and set his appointee Sir Edmond Andros in place as Royal Governor of the dominion.
With all these changes, colonists found themselves divided along ideological lines as the characters in the novel do. Some, like Reverend Bulkeley, felt loyal to the king and his governor, but others, like Matthew Wood and William Ashby objected to the loss of autonomy. In an attempt to preserve this autonomy, a number of men conspired to hide the 1662 charter so that the governor could not invalidate it. Although William Ashby does not reveal its hiding place in The Witch of Blackbird Pond, history tells us that the colonists hid the charter in a the trunk of an oak tree, which has since been known as the Charter Oak. Later, when King James II was deposed, the colonists removed the charter from its hiding place and reinstated its privileges for another 120 years. You can learn more on the story of the famous Charter Oak to provide more context.
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How Tos about The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
How to facilitate a classroom discussion on tolerance using The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Start with open-ended questions about characters who face prejudice. Encourage students to think critically about why Kit and others are treated differently.
Connect historical context to modern issues
Ask students to compare the challenges faced by characters in seventeenth-century New England to those in today's world. This helps students see the ongoing relevance of themes like fear of difference and community belonging.
Use role-play to deepen understanding
Assign students roles from the novel and have them act out a town meeting addressing Kit’s situation. This fosters empathy and helps students articulate different perspectives.
Create a tolerance pledge as a class
Collaborate with your students to write and sign a classroom pledge promoting acceptance and respect. Display it to reinforce a positive classroom culture.
Reflect through writing
Encourage students to write a short journal entry about a time they felt different or witnessed exclusion. This strengthens personal connections to the novel’s themes.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
What is The Witch of Blackbird Pond about?
The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a historical fiction novel by Elizabeth George Speare set in 17th-century New England. It follows Kit Tyler, an orphan who moves from Barbados to Puritan Connecticut and faces challenges that shape her character and explore themes of belonging, difference, and community.
How can teachers create engaging lesson plans for The Witch of Blackbird Pond?
Teachers can create engaging lesson plans by integrating essential questions, historical context, and student activities that explore Puritan beliefs, colonial life, and character development. Using discussion prompts and interactive resources helps deepen understanding and promote critical thinking.
What historical events are featured in The Witch of Blackbird Pond?
The Witch of Blackbird Pond features historical events such as the Connecticut Charter Oak legend, Puritan religious practices, and colonial tensions with the English government. These elements provide rich context for students learning about early American history.
Why were people accused of witchcraft in Puritan New England?
People were accused of witchcraft in Puritan New England due to fear of difference, strict religious beliefs, and suspicion of those who did not conform. The community often saw nonconformity as evidence of the devil's work, leading to notorious witch trials and executions.
What are the main themes in The Witch of Blackbird Pond for classroom discussion?
Main themes for classroom discussion include fear of differences, religious influences on society, identity and autonomy, and personal growth. These topics encourage students to think critically about history and human behavior.
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