Witch of Blackbird Pond
by Elizabeth George Speare
1958, Yearling
1958, Yearling
Kit Tyler is orphaned after the death of her grandfather, with whom she lived with in Barbados. The now orphaned Kit take the long voyage to her tropical island to the cold, bleak shores of Connecticut Colony. She is thrown into the stern Puritan community, where her Aunt lives with her family. Kate feels trapped in this stifling community, the only place where Kit feels completely free is in the meadows, where she enjoys the company of the old Quaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond. But when Kit's friendship with the "witch" is discovered, Kit is faced with suspicion, fear, and anger. She herself is accused of witchcraft!
Historical Informative Engaging
"Kit's vindication, her gradual integration into the community and the positive effect she has on those about her, combine here in a well documented novel to rival the author's first work, Calico Captive, which received wide acclaim as a work of "superior historical fiction".
-Kirkus Review
-Kirkus Review
Honors & Awards:
- 1959 Newbery Award Winner
Helpful Information:
Grade Level- 6-8
Age Range- 11+
Reading Level-Fountas and Pinnell- W
Lexile- 510
Suggested Delivery- Indpendant or small group read
Genre- Historical Fiction
Age Range- 11+
Reading Level-Fountas and Pinnell- W
Lexile- 510
Suggested Delivery- Indpendant or small group read
Genre- Historical Fiction
Vocabulary:
Honorable- deserving honor and respect.
Amiable- friendly and pleasant.
Trustworthy- able to be relied on to do or provide what is needed or right.
Spry- full of life and energy.
Virtuous- morally good, having or showing virtue.
Obstinate- refusing to change your behavior or your ideas.
Callous-not feeling or showing any concern about the problems or suffering of other people.
Boisterous-very noisy and active in a lively way.
Amiable- friendly and pleasant.
Trustworthy- able to be relied on to do or provide what is needed or right.
Spry- full of life and energy.
Virtuous- morally good, having or showing virtue.
Obstinate- refusing to change your behavior or your ideas.
Callous-not feeling or showing any concern about the problems or suffering of other people.
Boisterous-very noisy and active in a lively way.
Comprehension Strategies:
Before Reading Activity:
Have students brainstorm together what it might be like to move some where different, somewhere that is completely different from where they are now. What emotions would you have, how would you feel? What would other people think of you when you arrive? Have you ever moved before, how did you feel?
During Reading Activity:
Character Analysis
Have students complete a character analysis for the characters in the novel. Characters they could include are Kit Tyler, Nat Eaton, Matthew Wood, Rachel Wood, Juidth, Mercy, John Holbrook, Goodwife Cruff. Have students include something said about the character from the book, their personal impression of the character, and what other characters impressions of them.
Have students complete a character analysis for the characters in the novel. Characters they could include are Kit Tyler, Nat Eaton, Matthew Wood, Rachel Wood, Juidth, Mercy, John Holbrook, Goodwife Cruff. Have students include something said about the character from the book, their personal impression of the character, and what other characters impressions of them.
After Reading Activity:
Have students discuss Kit. What character traits did Kit have? Did she ever change over the course of the book? Did other characters want her to change? Have students support their answers with evidence in the text.
Writing Activity:
Have students extend there learning after reading the novel by having them do a mini research project on the Salem Witch Trials. They can then see if the Witch Trial in this book is similar to the Salem Witch Trails and why the Witch Trials happened.
Resources:
- This resource has a wealth of information with concept and vocabulary analysis. This is a great thing to read before introducing the novel in your classroom.
- Rainbow Resource has a preview of their study guide that includes key vocabulary and discussion questions. The preview can be found here.