The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Time Traveling
Introduction
You have just invented a time-traveling machine.  For your very first journey, you have decided to visit Connecticut Colony in the year 1687.  Before your journey, you want to learn about Colonial life so you can get an idea of what to expect when you reach your destination.  You have already read Elizabeth George Speare's novel, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and now you want to read what other people thought about the novel.  Additionally, you want to read historical facts about real people who lived during the late 1600's.

Task
You will be able to:
1.  understand others' points of view about The Witch of Blackbird Pond;
2.  communicate your own ideas about the novel;
3.  comprehend historical facts about Connecticut Colony and Puritan life.

Resources
Here are some excellent sites about the novel and Puritan life for you to explore:

Newbery Medal and Honor Books
Exploring Literature
Exploring Literature:  Historical Facts

Process
1.  Go to Newbery Medal and Honor Books home page.

2.  Answer the following questions:
    A)  What is the Newbery Medal?
    B)  What year did Elizabeth George Speare win the medal for The Witch of Blackbird Pond?

3.  Go to Exploring Literature:  Historical Facts and answer the following questions:
    A)  What years did Puritans settle in Hartford and New Haven?
    B)  Why did the Puritans come to America?
    C)  Describe in your own words what the Puritans believed about their own destinies?
    D)  What did the Puritan community center around?
    E)  What was their religious belief about how people should live their lives?
    F)  In your own words describe one of the "Blue Laws."
    G)  Why was there tension between the Pequot Indians and the Puritans?

4.  Go to Exploring Literature:  Student Responses.
5.  Read the 7 questions and then read the student responses.
6.  Read question #4 again and write down your own response.
7.  Email your own response to question #4 to Exploring Literature.  Follow the directions on the home page and Exploring Literature will try to include your responses in future online publications.

Learning Advice
Please get your parents' permission before submitting any comments or work to any web site addresses.  Remember to double check your historical facts answers at the Exploring Literature web site.  Write your literature response to question #4 on paper first and then carefully proofread your paragraph.  Check it for spelling, grammar, and mechanics errors, as well as the content before sending it to Exploring Literature.

Conclusion
At this point, you should be ready for your time traveling journey.  You are aware of many facts about Puritan life and tradition.  If you want to explore Puritan life even further, you can use a search engine and the keyword "Puritans" to find more resources on the subject.  Good luck on your trip and enjoy!