The Process

• Divide into groups of four students.
  
  
• In your group, read the introduction to make sure you understand the setting and guidelines for the WebQuest. 
  
  
• Each person in the group must choose one of the school board member mass hysteria research topics. The topics are:
  
  
  1. The Salem Witch Trials
     
  2. Japanese American internment during WWII
     
  3. McCarthyism, "Red Scare"
     
  4. The Aftermath of September 11th, 2001
  
  
• Use the links provided on each web page to answer the general and topic-specific questions on hysteria throughout American history.  
  
  
• Type all of your research information and the responses to the questions provided, and then print out two copies of each. One will be given to the teacher for grading and another will be used within your team.
  
  
• Your group of school board members will meet together and share the information that you have found. Be sure to address the general ideas of what caused hysteria in your specific topic.
  
  
• It is now time for your group of board advisors to create a plan of action against your school’s growing problem with discriminatory student violence. This is a very detailed and strategic plan of how you will prevent the hysteria from escalating, which would result in further violence and labeling of students based on their appearance and presumed personality. This plan should reflect the research that you have done. Keep in mind that the issue is not limited to students. Teachers community members are also susceptible to becoming swept up in the hysteria.
  
  
• Each plan should include minimum of two pages of the process for your plan of action, including what steps you will take to prevent things from getting out of hand. You will also have to provide at least one page of justification for your decision. This means that you have to explain why you made the decisions that you did. Use examples from your research to support your proposal. Finally, your group should write at least one page describing what you hope to achieve from your proposal.
  
  
• Despite your best attempts, you plan was unable to prevent a mass hysteria from sweeping your school. Students have begun verbally and physically attacking any student who fits the general profile of a violent child as portrayed in media throughout the country. Teachers have begun to turn a blind eye to issue. In your group of board advisors, create a detailed plan of how to end the hysteria in the quickest and most efficient way. Refer to the "Evaluation" link for point-specific expectations.
  
  
• Similar to your prevention strategy, each plan should include minimum of two pages of the process for your plan of action, including what steps you will take to end the hysteria. You will also have to provide a minimum of two pages of justification for your decision. This means that you will have to explain why you made the decisions that you did. Use examples from your research to support your proposal. Finally, your group should write at least one page describing what you hope to achieve from your plan. Refer to the "Evaluation" link for point-specific expectations.
  
  
• Your proposal should be turned in to the teacher on the assigned date as word processed document, according to MLA standards. Keep in mind that your audience is the school principal. Make your proposal professional through carefully editing!