this whole teaching thing

So student teaching is progressing. I was observed for the first time (of usually 4 times) this week. I am glad it's over most of all, but I think it went pretty well. I had a solid lesson and the students worked in small groups so I got to demonstrate more than lecturing or discussion, which I think is hard to pull off well without more practice- like on Friday. Though with some good comments and suggestions after 5th period (which didn't go as well as planned- good comments, but I sucked at structuring it), 8th period went really pretty well, and the discussion worked. I wish the period was about 5 minutes longer, but there was more wrap-up from Thursday than planned for. It was good, and necessary, but the balance of timing on that group is really a challenge. But my cooperating teacher thinks that it kind of is too, and he thinks I did pretty well. it all creates some serious grading for me this weekend (like more than just quiz grading), but it's worth it. I have to work on a really good couple of lessons for next week- I'm sure at least one will be discussion, but I think I probably need to put something else in, too. But to facilitate a discussion well you need good practice, so I think I may end up doing that a few more times to work on skills there- because I like that best, and these short stories tend to work well in discussion scenarios.

anyway- any great ideas for introducing puritanism as I begin to plan to switch units into Crucible and Scarlet Letter?