Understanding the historical context of the Scottish witch trials
I can describe the events of the Scottish witch trials and share my opinion about how best to remember the victims in the present day.
Understanding the historical context of the Scottish witch trials
I can describe the events of the Scottish witch trials and share my opinion about how best to remember the victims in the present day.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Scottish witch trials occurred during the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries in Scotland.
- Individuals who were prosecuted as witches were often executed.
- Witches were recognised by the church as being capable of causing real harm.
- Witches were seen as linked to the devil and were therefore also heretical.
- Life at this time was very much dominated by the church and the desire to stamp out any connections to the devil.
Keywords
Memorial - a structure or statue designed to remind people of a person or event
Trial - an examination of evidence to decide if someone is guilty or innocent of a crime
Early Modern period - the period between Medieval and modern times (around 1500-1800 AD)
Devil - the spirit of evil in Christian and Jewish traditions
Common misconception
Pupils who are Christian may find it hard to connect their faith to the one depicted here.
Explain to children that religions evolve over time and that beliefs are not always fixed.
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Understanding the historical context of the Scottish witch trials, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Understanding the historical context of the Scottish witch trials, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'A Kind of Spark': narrative writing unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2020 Knights Of edition of ‘A Kind of Spark’ written by Elle McNicoll, illustrated by Kay Wilson, for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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