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The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Elizabeth George Speare
Medal - 1959

Grade:

6-9

Topics:

Barbados, Connecticut, early America, human relationships, puritans, ships, Wethersfield, witchcraft

Summary:

Kit grows up in Barbados where she has a prosperous life. After her parents and grandfather die, Katherine must go to live with her aunt in the Connecticut Colony. The year is 1687 and she must learn about the Puritan ways of her aunt and uncle. Kit is a free spirit who encounters people with closed minds. She befriends Widow Tupper, whom everyone believes is practicing witchcraft.

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Author and Book Connections
Author Connections.
Book Connections.
WebQuests & Lesson Plans.
Further Book Connecting
Read one of Elizabeth Speare's other Newbery award books: The Bronze Bow or The Sign of the Beaver.
 
Cool Classroom Connections
Puritans. What's a Puritan? Why did they come to America? What's the difference between a Puritan and a Pilgrim? What would it be like to live in a family of Puritans? What is a Quaker?
Witches.Explore the history of the Salem Witch trials. Compare Kit's experience at her trial.
Early American Life.Learn about Connecticut yesterday and today. Explore the life of the women and children in colonial New England. Contrast Kit's life with her grandfather and life with her Puritan aunt and Uncle. Discuss the government of early Connecticut. What was the charter? What was the relationship of England with the colonies.
Barbados Island. Where is Barbados? What does it look like? Draw a picture.that will remind Kit of home. What does the land look like? What about the plants and animals?
Prejudices. Have you ever been unfair to someone or had something said to you based on your physical appearance? How do we form our prejudices?
Activity Connections.
 
Words to Learn
Puritans
Barbados Island
Pilgrims
Salem Witch Trials
Connecticut
witchcraft
loneliness
Colonial America
courage
associated
prosperous
prejudice
 
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Created by Annette Lamb & Nancy Smith, 3/02. Updated by Nancy Smith, 11/02
 
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