| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | English |
| What topic | Mass hysteria |
| What length (min) | 30 |
| What age group | Doesn't matter |
| Class size | 20 |
| What curriculum | |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Mass Hysteria
Flexible (appropriate for various levels)
English
20 students
This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum, specifically in promoting literacy, critical thinking, and understanding social issues.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Mass Hysteria | 5 mins | Briefly introduce the topic. Pose guiding questions to engage students' interest. |
| 2 | Homework Check | 5 mins | Review homework quietly. Provide feedback without asking students to present. |
| 3 | Group Discussion | 10 mins | Divide students into small groups. Each group discusses examples of mass hysteria, then shares with the class. |
| 4 | Presentation of Case Studies | 5 mins | Present case studies/examples using projector. Discuss key points as a class. |
| 5 | Class Discussion | 3 mins | Facilitate an open discussion on how mass hysteria affects society and behavior. |
| 6 | Summary and Conclusion | 2 mins | Summarise key points from the lesson. Reinforce the importance of critical thinking. |
| 7 | Homework Assignment | 0 mins | Assign homework related to the topic (details not included in the plan). |
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we are going to dive into a fascinating and important topic: mass hysteria. Can anyone tell me what they think mass hysteria means? [Pause for responses] Great thoughts! Mass hysteria refers to situations where large groups of people experience similar psychological symptoms, often triggered by shared beliefs or fears.
To get us thinking about this, I’d like you to consider these guiding questions:
Let’s keep these questions in mind as we explore the topic more today."
"Thank you for your thoughts, everyone! Now, let’s take a few minutes to check the homework from last night. Please take out your completed assignments. I will quietly walk around the room to review your work. Don’t worry; I won’t be asking anyone to present today. [Walk around the room and provide feedback as needed]
Excellent effort! I’m really impressed with the insights you’ve shared in your homework."
"Now that we have a good foundation, let’s move into our group discussions. I’d like you to form small groups of four. Please discuss examples of mass hysteria that you may have learned about or witnessed, whether in the news, history, or even in social situations. Take about ten minutes for this, and I’ll be walking around to listen and support your discussions. [Allow time for group discussion]
All right, let’s come back together as a class. Could each group share one example of mass hysteria they discussed? [Encourage each group to share] Thank you for sharing! Those are some very relevant observations."
"Next, I will present several case studies on mass hysteria. [Begin projecting the case studies on the screen]
As we go through these examples, I want you to think critically about them. What were the triggers? How did the crowd react? And what were the consequences?
Let’s start with our first case study: The Salem Witch Trials. [Briefly discuss key points from each case study]
Now, let’s discuss these key points together. What stood out to you from these case studies? [Facilitate a discussion on the examples presented]"
"To build on our case studies, let’s have a class discussion about how mass hysteria impacts society and individual behavior. Why do you think it’s important to understand this phenomenon? [Encourage open conversation]
Remember to respect each other's opinions as we share our thoughts. How can we protect ourselves, and others, from falling into mass hysteria? [Pause for responses] Great insights, everyone!"
"As we wrap up today's lesson, let’s summarize what we’ve learned. Mass hysteria can significantly impact not just individual behavior but society as a whole. It’s crucial to think critically about the information we receive and the influence it may have on ourselves and those around us.
I encourage you to always question and analyze the motivations behind mass reactions. Keep those critical thinking skills sharp!"
"Before we finish, I would like to assign you some homework. For this assignment, I want you to find a news article or a story that reflects any instance of mass hysteria, whether historical or contemporary.
Please write a brief reflection on the context of the mass hysteria, what triggered it, and your thoughts on the outcome. Make sure to bring it to our next class.
Thank you for your participation today, and have a wonderful rest of your day!"
Define mass hysteria in your own words. What key characteristics make a situation qualify as mass hysteria?
Reflect on a time when you observed or experienced group behavior that seemed extreme. Describe the situation and your feelings during that time.
Research an example of mass hysteria from history or recent news. Summarise the context, triggers, and consequences of that event.
Consider the group dynamics involved in mass hysteria. What social or psychological factors do you believe contribute to such behavior in large groups?
Discuss how social media can amplify or trigger mass hysteria. Provide at least one example of this phenomenon.
In your opinion, what steps can individuals and communities take to protect themselves from falling into the patterns of mass hysteria?
Identify a difference between individual panic and mass hysteria. How can understanding this difference benefit individuals in managing their responses during stressful situations?
After reviewing case studies discussed in class, which case of mass hysteria did you find most intriguing? Why?
Create a hypothetical scenario of mass hysteria based on a modern event (e.g., a viral social media post). What might trigger the hysteria, and how would it likely unfold?
Lastly, reflect on why it is essential to critically evaluate information before reacting to it. What are the potential dangers of not doing so in the context of mass hysteria?