Core Skills Analysis
History
- Aiyana learned about King James I’s views and beliefs regarding witches, which played a significant role in the historical witch hunts and trials.
- She explored primary and secondary sources on the Sky History website, enhancing her skills in evaluating digital historical content and understanding different interpretations of historical figures.
- Through researching King James I, Aiyana gained insight into the early 17th century societal and political context that influenced attitudes towards witchcraft.
- She began to comprehend how royal beliefs and policies could shape public fear and legal actions in historical timelines.
Tips
To deepen Aiyana’s understanding of King James I and his beliefs on witches, encourage her to explore the cultural and religious forces at play during his reign. She could compare his views to those of other monarchs or societies regarding witchcraft, enhancing critical thinking about historical perspectives. Visiting a local museum or watching documentaries about the witch trials could provide experiential learning. Additionally, Aiyana might write a diary entry from the viewpoint of a person living during King James I’s reign, connecting emotionally and personally to the historical period.
Book Recommendations
- Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts by Anne Llewellyn Barstow: A comprehensive examination of the historical witch hunts with context on political and religious influences, ideal for older teens.
- King James and the Fires of the Word by Scott M. Manetsch: Explores King James I’s reign with a focus on his religious and political beliefs including his stance on witchcraft.
- The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown: A historical fiction novel set in the witch-hunt era, giving insight into the societal fear and family conflicts of the time.
Learning Standards
- GCSE History - Understanding key historical events and their causes, such as the witch trials during King James I's reign (AQA History Specification, Unit 2)
- GCSE - Developing skills in using historical sources and evaluating different perspectives (OCR GCSE History, Component 1)
- GCSE - Connecting religious, political, and social contexts in early modern England (Edexcel GCSE History, The Early Stuarts and the English Civil War)
Try This Next
- Create a timeline worksheet outlining key events related to King James I and witch trials during his reign.
- Write a short essay or debate script arguing either for or against the witch hunts, using evidence from the Sky History research.