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Ask the students to think about all of the natural disasters they have heard of in their lifetime. Discuss both the human impact and the physical impact (such as changes to landscape) of the disaster.

Ask students to imagine that a moderate earthquake has hit their region. What might their emotional reactions be right after the quake? How might they feel 30 minutes later? In small groups, have students discuss what reactions they think they might have had to the news of the quake. Would their emotional reactions be different if it was a severe earthquake? Gather the groups together and discuss as a class how humans react during an emergency. Be sensitive to the reactions that some students may have as a result of personal or family experiences with a natural disaster.

Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group one of clips 5 through 8. Have each group watch and listen to its clip more than once, and note the information in “Did You Know?” Together, each group should list and describe all of the human behaviours (actions, reactions, choices and decisions) discussed and shown in the clip.

Have each group share its findings with the class, and encourage discussion about the choices people made.

You may wish to have them review the information in Clip 5, and discuss whether they believe Giselle Van Lieu was the ‘norm’ or the ‘exception’ in her reaction to the ice storm.

Each student should then write and perform a brief dramatic monologue in which they imagine they were affected by the Ice Storm, explain how, and explain how they reacted to the situation.

Students can review the information in Clip 9, regarding the commission’s final report. Ask the student if, based on the information presented in the report, they think Quebeckers were justified in their emotional responses to the ice storm.