Mrs. Karl

7^th Grade ELA

PEARLS Hawthorne School

Introduction:

Psychologists who study human behavior say that sensible, honest people may act in an uncharacteristic manner when they are part of a large group. This tendency to be influenced by others is called “mob behavior.” Experts say that people in a mob feel less responsible for their actions and less worried about possible consequences. Also, noise and crowding may excite people and blur their judgment. In any case, people are more likely to act violently or even just unfairly in a group than on their own. This is especially true when they feel frightened or threatened in some way.

Recall the character Margot from “All Summer in a Day;” the residents of Maple Street from The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street; and Kit Tyler and Hannah Tupper from “The Witch of Blackbird Pond.”

All of these characters were victims of mob behavior. What are some possible solutions of how mob behavior can be avoided?

Task: You and your group members are part of an advisory committee working with community leaders on the problem of violence and mob behavior. You should research groups that have been victims of mob behavior. Your group will be responsible for creating a poster or brochure and PSA (1-2min.) using PowerPoint to teach others about violence and mob behavior and new solutions to dealing with it.

Creating a Public Service Announcement

1. Your group will be filming a one minute public service announcement to inform your community about a key issue or solution to the problem of mob behavior. As a group, you must reach consensus on the plan for the one minute broadcast, including the catchphrase you would use to highlight your message.

2. Use the Task Tips Guide to decide on the roles that each person will play in the production of your media product:

Multi-media Presentation: Role Cards (click for a printable version of the role cards) Each group member will be assigned one of the following roles:
Producer-Director - Restate the task to ensure the team’s understanding of expectations - coordinate the team product development - encourage participation by all team members in the selection of an appropriate ‘theme’, ‘title’, ‘slogan’ - ensure that assigned tasks are in line with the interests and abilities individuals in your group	Script Writer - record the lines and scene directions for the group production on the template provided - collaborate with Producer-Director in staging your 60 second performance - include ‘parts’ that allow participation by each interested group member - complete a storyboard plan for the producton (here is an example)
Costuming & Properties Coordinator - take informal inventory of props/costumes - guide your group in the selection and creation of costumes/props appropriate to the task - ensure the ‘safe’ return of props/costumes following ‘live’ performance - assist in the creation of cue cards, scenery, and props appropriate to the task	Audio-Visual Expert - effectively ‘frame’ the live performance - use the A-V equipment provided to capture your group production - communicate with team members to ensure an understanding of scene ‘blocking’ - select appropriate background music and sound effects - assist in the creation of cue cards, scenery, and props appropriate to the task

3. Create the final version of your public service announcement.

4. Share your public service announcement with a real world audience (our class).

Process: You will use the six steps to the PPA (Public Policy Analyst) process in order to examine the problem. After you have read through each process, be sure to click on the worksheet link to complete.

1. Define the Problem – Looking specifically at mob behavior.

2. Gather the Evidence- Use each of the stories and novel as a basis to cite specific examples of mob behavior.

3. Identify the Causes- What in your opinion and personal experience can lead to mob behavior?

4. Evaluate an existing Policy

5. Solutions- How can violence and mob behavior be eliminated or decreased?

6. Select the Best solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)

Resources:

TIPS Student Information Resources

Teaching Tolerance

Guide to Grammar and Writing

“The Witch of Blackbird Pond”

“All Summer in a Day”

The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

Evaluation: Rubric.ppt

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You have completed the Victims of Mob Behavior web quest.  As you have found, the destruction caused by Mob behavior and intolerance of others is not unique to “All Summer in a Day,” The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, and “The Witch of Blackbird Pond.” It is not just "something that happened a long time ago that doesn't matter anymore." 

Mob behavior is still very much alive today and is still ruining the lives of people more than 300 years after the tragedy in Salem.  Do you think our society will ever become immune to mob behavior?  Will we ever have a scene like this in the United States again?...

NYS Standards:

English Language Arts Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.

English Language Arts Standard 2: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary response and expression.

English Language Arts Standard 3: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.

English Language Arts Standard 4: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.

Universal Foundations Skills Standard 3a- Technology: Select and use appropriate technology to complete a task.