The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Ch 9 & 10

Vocabulary:

1) Primers A) Serious; Subdued in tone; having or showing self control

2) Hornbook B) A prose narrative longer than a short story that usually

portrays imaginary character and events

3) Novel C) Determination to act in a certain way; purpose

4) Decorum D) Disinclined to be severe or rigorous; lenient

5) Sober E) To offend the moral sense of; shock

6) Indulgence F) A small book for teaching children to read; an introductory

Book on a subject

7) Malicious G) A round stick with tapered ends used to spin yarn

8) Intentions H) Conformity to accepted standards of conduct

9) Spindle I) An early learning guide for children made of a sheet of

paper protected by a transparent sheet of horn

10) Scandalized J) Feeling of strong ill-will; being mean and spiteful

Short Answers:

1) Describe a “typical” school and “traditional” teaching methods during these colonial times. Do you think this was a very effective model for teaching? Why or why not?

2) What “novel” methods did Kit use in teaching her students? Find a quote in the chapter that expresses how her students responded to her techniques.

3) How did Kit get herself (and Mercy) into trouble? What was her first response to the news? How did she get herself out of trouble?

4) Why was the Widow Tupper ostracized from the rest of the community? (Give answers from the story)

5) What was it that drew Kit to the Meadow? How did she feel when she was there? Who else felt the same way about the meadow?

6) What did Kit find exasperating about Nat?