1. The Wave by Morton Rhue

2. Pre-reading
Individuality vs being part of a group, which is more important?
Dilemma:
The home-room teacher comes into her classroom and sees the words ”Shula the Nazi”. Nobody knows who’s written it but the children tell the teacher that it has been there for a while. What’s the problem?

3. Pre-reading
Does school create individuals or people who want to fit in to a group? Think back to a time when you were part of a group...how did it feel? Why might this make people want to form groups and be part of a group?

4. Born in 1892, Martin Niemöller was a German pastor and theologian
Born in 1892, Martin Niemöller was a German pastor and theologian. He was an anti-communist and thus, supported Adolf Hitler's rise to power at first. However, when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion, Niemöller became disillusioned. He became the leader of a group of German clergymen opposed to Hitler. This poem became a popular model for describing the dangers of political apathy.
When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I wasn't a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.

5. Pre-reading
The book is called The Wave, what do waves mean to you? What do waves symbolise? 

6. Post-reading: The setting of the novel, background information, and HOTS Q
The setting is the time and the place in which a story takes place. Consider the setting of the novel. Give two examples that show that this novel is set in the late 1960s.
What do the students find hard to understand about the Germans in World War II?
According to Mr. Ross, how did the Germans attempt to excuse their behavior after the war?

7. Post-reading: HOTS Q continued
Identity: What is it about The Wave which causes some of the characters to undergo drastic identity changes? Why do you think Robert creates the position of bodyguard for himself? How does that affect his identity? What happens to Ben when he becomes Wave leader? Does he truly change as a person? Why is Laurie able to stay true to herself in the face of The Wave? What about the other characters who do so?

8. "Be careful who you follow, because you never know where they will lead you..."  Mark Hancock (Third Wave class member) The story of the Third Wave.

9. Why did The Wave succeed? Why does any such situation succeed?
When does a group become dangerous? What is the difference between a group, a fad, and a cult? Why do we consider cults dangerous? group = a number of people or things that are located close together or are considered or classed together. fad = an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, esp. one that is short-lived and without basis in the object's qualities; a craze. cult = a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.

10. When does a person become dangerous
When does a person become dangerous? What is the difference between a visionary and a fanatic? Why is the first a positive description and the second a negative one?
visionary = a person who thinks or plans the future with imagination or wisdom.
fanatic = a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, esp. for an extreme religious or political cause.

11. 1) How does the word "insidious" enter into the picture"
insidious = proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.
2) What about the verb "to dehumanize"?
to dehumanize = to deprive of positive human qualities.
3) Would you ever do such a thing? Would your country?
Let’s look at some recent examples…(page)