Strength Through Discipline
"When I talk about discipline. I'm talking about power. […] And I'm talking about success. Success through discipline. Is there anyone here who isn't interested in power and success?"
Writing Task #1 Pre-Reading Activity
Before You You Start Reading
Before you begin the novel download and complete the pre-reading activity located below.
Once you have completed the activity you will need to place it in the Angel DROPBOX "The Wave Pre-Reading".
Once you have completed the activity you will need to place it in the Angel DROPBOX "The Wave Pre-Reading".
the_wave_preview_activity.doc | |
File Size: | 32 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Reading Schedule and Response Assignment
The Wave Major Themes Chart | |
File Size: | 129 kb |
File Type: | doc |
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You Are Not Responsible for Things Below This Line
Writing Task #2
Chapters 1-6
Authors obsess over how to begin their novels. Considering this, why do you think Strasser began his book in this way? Has Strasser engaged you? Drawn you into the story? Why or why not? What elements of the exposition (setting, characters, point of view, conflicts) are introduced? What predictions do you have for the book?
Writing Task #3
Chapters 7-12
What is the main conflict in the book so far? How has the conflict been developed? How do you think this conflict will be resolved? What secondary conflicts exist?
Comment on Strasser's writing style – word choice, use of narration, dialogue. Does he tell his story effectively? Why or why not?
Comment on Strasser's writing style – word choice, use of narration, dialogue. Does he tell his story effectively? Why or why not?
Writing Task #4
Chapters 13-18
Did the main conflict and any secondary conflicts been settled to your satisfaction? Did the story end how you expected? Are there any loose ends still need “tying up”?
Writing Task #5
Finishing the Book
- Was the ending of the book a good one? Why or why not?
- Respond to the novel as a whole. What did you like about it? What did you dislike? What changes would you make to it, if any?
- What do you think the "moral (s) to the story" is/ are? Do you agree with it? Explain why or why not?
Task #6
The true events of Mr. Ross's class has been adapted into two films with different endings. Your task is to compare and contrast the endings.
* Why do you think they are different?
* Evaluate the effectiveness of each of the endings.
> Which one resonated most with you?
* Why do you think they are different?
* Evaluate the effectiveness of each of the endings.
> Which one resonated most with you?
Begin at 14:36 |
Portions of the video will be graphic. Please see Mr. Fetscher if you would like an alternative task. |
Task #
You Are Not Responsible For Anything Below This Line
Major Themes Analysis
Use the chart below to complete your in-depth reading of the novel. You will use the chart to divide the reading tasks.
the_wave_major_theme_analysis_chart.doc | |
File Size: | 129 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Discussion Questions: Chapters 4-6
1. Laurie is really upset after seeing the film about the Holocaust. What event in History upsets you? Why?
2. In Chapter 5, what effect does Ben Ross's new teaching method have on his students' morale? How have they changed?
3. Ben Ross emphasizes discipline in his classroom, demands obedience from his students, and trains them to react without thought. Have you ever conditioned/trained a pet? What techniques did you use to accomplish this?
4. What theme (out of the seven we are discussing in class) is emphasized the most within chapters 4-6? What evidence supports this?
5. At Gordon High, The Wave gains membership and the group grows. What are the social groups at your school? How do these groups improve or worsen the school community?
2. In Chapter 5, what effect does Ben Ross's new teaching method have on his students' morale? How have they changed?
3. Ben Ross emphasizes discipline in his classroom, demands obedience from his students, and trains them to react without thought. Have you ever conditioned/trained a pet? What techniques did you use to accomplish this?
4. What theme (out of the seven we are discussing in class) is emphasized the most within chapters 4-6? What evidence supports this?
5. At Gordon High, The Wave gains membership and the group grows. What are the social groups at your school? How do these groups improve or worsen the school community?
Discussion Questions: Chapters 7-9
1. More and more people begin learning about the Wave as it expands. What are different people's reactions? Why do you think they react in a particular way?
2. How did Ben Ross feel about the Wave at the end of Chapter 7? Why is he so preoccupied with the experiment?
3. What is the significance of the membership cards? Give examples of how this takes the Wave even further.
4. How do Robert Billings's classmates start treating him differently?
5. Why is Laurie hesitant to write about the Wave in The Grapevine even though it is essentially the story of the year?
2. How did Ben Ross feel about the Wave at the end of Chapter 7? Why is he so preoccupied with the experiment?
3. What is the significance of the membership cards? Give examples of how this takes the Wave even further.
4. How do Robert Billings's classmates start treating him differently?
5. Why is Laurie hesitant to write about the Wave in The Grapevine even though it is essentially the story of the year?
Discussion Questions Ch 10-12
1. Mr. Owens allows Ben to continue with the Wave Experiment. Do you think that he should have stopped it at this point? Why or why not?
2. The letter that Laurie receives from the Junior is pretty concerning. How would you have reacted and how do you think the Wave is changing?
3. What responsibility does Robert Billings take upon himself? Do you find this odd? Why would he think this was necessary in the first place?
4. During Laurie and David's quarrel, David accuses Laurie of disliking the Wave because it makes her not as special or popular. What do you think about this statement, and do you believe there might be some truth in it?
5. At the end of Chapter 12, Laurie's dad reveals that a student was beaten after the rally. What actions would you have taken upon hearing this if you were in Laurie's shoes? Would you have been brave enough to write about the Wave in the school newspaper?
6. The Wave has obviously gotten out of hand by this point, how do you predict Ben Ross will end his experiment? Do you think that he will be able to on his own, or will someone have to force him to end it?
2. The letter that Laurie receives from the Junior is pretty concerning. How would you have reacted and how do you think the Wave is changing?
3. What responsibility does Robert Billings take upon himself? Do you find this odd? Why would he think this was necessary in the first place?
4. During Laurie and David's quarrel, David accuses Laurie of disliking the Wave because it makes her not as special or popular. What do you think about this statement, and do you believe there might be some truth in it?
5. At the end of Chapter 12, Laurie's dad reveals that a student was beaten after the rally. What actions would you have taken upon hearing this if you were in Laurie's shoes? Would you have been brave enough to write about the Wave in the school newspaper?
6. The Wave has obviously gotten out of hand by this point, how do you predict Ben Ross will end his experiment? Do you think that he will be able to on his own, or will someone have to force him to end it?
Discussion Questions: Ch 13-15
1. At the football game, Brad insisted that Laurie had to give the salute before entering the stands. Think of similar situations in your own lives where you were peer pressured into doing something you didn't want to do. How did you say no? What made you feel pressure to do it?
2. Despite the fact that Laurie's story revealed people were feeling threatened and getting hurt, why are the Wave members still willing to defend the Wave? What measure are they willing to take to do so?
3. Why was Laurie scared to be alone in the school? Do you think she had a valid reason to be afraid?
4. Think about the scene where Laurie and David argue. Why do you think David got so defensive to the point of violence? Do you believe in something that strongly?
5. If you were Ben Ross at this point in the story, how would you end the Wave?
2. Despite the fact that Laurie's story revealed people were feeling threatened and getting hurt, why are the Wave members still willing to defend the Wave? What measure are they willing to take to do so?
3. Why was Laurie scared to be alone in the school? Do you think she had a valid reason to be afraid?
4. Think about the scene where Laurie and David argue. Why do you think David got so defensive to the point of violence? Do you believe in something that strongly?
5. If you were Ben Ross at this point in the story, how would you end the Wave?
Discussion Questions: Ch 16-17
1. Principal Owens has a lot of pressure on him from parents and others within the community who are concerned about The Wave. Do you think he should have trusted Ben's plans for ending it or do you think he should have taken matters into his own hands?
2. Why do you think Ben Ross ended the experiment in the way he did? Do you think it was effective? Would you have done the same thing or something different?
3. Upon realizing what The Wave truly was, the students felt a broad range of emotions. Why are they feeling this so strongly? How would it have effected you?
4. How does a community recover from something like this? Do you think someone like Robert will ever be the same?
5. Laurie said that she was glad The Wave happened, even though it was a hard lesson to learn. What do you think? Was the experiment more beneficial than damaging, or did the damage outweigh the benefits of the learning experiment?
2. Why do you think Ben Ross ended the experiment in the way he did? Do you think it was effective? Would you have done the same thing or something different?
3. Upon realizing what The Wave truly was, the students felt a broad range of emotions. Why are they feeling this so strongly? How would it have effected you?
4. How does a community recover from something like this? Do you think someone like Robert will ever be the same?
5. Laurie said that she was glad The Wave happened, even though it was a hard lesson to learn. What do you think? Was the experiment more beneficial than damaging, or did the damage outweigh the benefits of the learning experiment?