Lesson 12 | The Crucible | 10th Grade English

Objective

Explain John Proctor’s decision to go to the court.

Readings and Materials

Play: The Crucible by Arthur Miller — Act II, pp. 67-76

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Target Task

Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

Multiple Choice

Which is the best evidence that John Proctor has completely lost faith in Hale’s authority?

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Writing Prompt

Explain John Proctor’s motivation for going to Salem. Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

On p. 70, what has Cheever discovered that terrifies him?
On p. 72, the stage directions before Proctor speaks say, “suddenly snatching the warrant out of Cheever’s hands.” What is Proctor’s main emotion at this moment?
On p. 73 Proctor asks, “Is the accuser always holy now?” What does he mean?
On p. 75, Giles asks Proctor, “John – tell me, are we lost?” What is he asking?
At the end of Act 2, Proctor exclaims, “We are only what we always were, but naked now.” What does he mean?
Which of the following is the most significant change in power dynamics in the last few pages of Act 2?
Which line of Hale’s speech on p. 75 best shows the author’s message to the reader?
Why is John Proctor going to Salem?
How does Miller reveal the unfairness of Proctor’s situation in these pages?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

In the second part of Elizabeth’s arrest scene, Proctor begins to realize just how twisted and corrupted the system is and he understands he must go to Salem to confess to his affair with Abigail in order to defame Abigail and save his wife. This is a clear shift in character.
For homework, assign pp. 77–81.

Lesson 11

Lesson 13

Lesson Map

“The Lottery” pp. 1 – 3

Distinguish between mood and tone in the first pages of “The Lottery.”

Independently identify and analyze symbols used in “The Lottery."

“The Lottery” — pp. 5-end

Finish “The Lottery” and explain how Jackson’s tone serves to underscore the horror of the events in the story.

“The Lottery”

Reexamine “The Lottery” for clues early on that hint at the eventual ending.

Explain theme in a short written response that addresses Checks For Understanding from the previous unit’s test.

“Herd Behavior”
The Crucible — Act I, pp. 1-7

Explain the herd mentality phenomenon.

Analyze the full setting and explain how the setting helped to create the herd mentality that caused the witch trials.

The Crucible — Act I, pp. 7-19

Establish the power dynamics, conflict, and characterization as revealed in Act 1.

The Crucible — Act I, pp. 19- top of 24

Characterize the relationship between John Proctor and Abigail.

The Crucible — Act I, pp. 24-30

Identify and describe the conflict between the Putnams and the Nurses as developed by Miller in this scene.

The Crucible — Act I, pp. 31-38

Characterize Hale and explain what he represents in the play.

Explain how the role of the Devil has changed in religion over time and explain how the people of Salem viewed him.

The Crucible — Act I, pp. 38-46
I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem pp. 55 – 63

Explain the difference in perspective and tone between the excerpts from Condé’s book and Miller’s play.

The Crucible — Act II, pp. 46-53

Analyze Proctor and Elizabeth’s relationship and identify each of these characters’ tragic flaws.

The Crucible — Act II, pp. 53-60 and pp. 60-67
“McCarthyism”

Draw parallels between McCarthyism and the events of The Crucible.

Explain events of the rising action and the irony of the situation.

The Crucible — Act II, pp. 67-76

Explain John Proctor’s decision to go to the court.

The Crucible — Act III, pp. 77-81 and pp. 82-92

Analyze the symbolism of the courtroom and the significance of Danforth.

Track Mary Warren’s changing emotions throughout this scene.

The Crucible — Act III, pp. 92-96 and pp. 96-101

Continue tracking Mary Warren’s emotions.

The Crucible — Act III, pp. 102-111

Examine Miller’s use of suspense.

Continue to track Mary Warren’s emotions for open response.

Writing

The Crucible — Act III

Produce a written analysis of Mary Warren’s changing emotions.

The Crucible — Act IV, pp. 112-113
I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem — p. 91

Identify and compare perspective in two texts.

The Crucible — Act IV, pp. 114-118 and 119-128

Explain Danforth’s motives in this scene and analyze Proctor’s choice.

The Crucible — Act IV, pp. 128-end

Explain John Proctor’s tragic flaw.

“On Tragedy”
The Crucible

Explain what makes The Crucible a tragedy and John Proctor its tragic hero.

“Half Hanged Mary”
The Crucible

Explain the tone and author’s purpose of specific lines of the poem.

Draw connections to events in The Crucible.

Assessment

The Crucible

Objective

Readings and Materials

Target Task

Multiple Choice

Writing Prompt

Key Questions

Notes

Lesson Map

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