Explain what Mr. Ross meant when he said, “The important thing wasn’t when it ended, but how.” (Give one piece of evidence & page number to support your answer.

Mr. Ross is addressing the fact that The Wave was meant to teach a lesson.... that its ending was predestined, but that the lesson was left to be seen.

And yet there was another consideration, the so-called losers in the class—Robert Billings, for example. For the first time in his life, Robert was an equal, a member, part of the group. No one was making fun of him anymore, no one was giving him a hard time. And the change in Robert was indeed remarkable. Not only had his appearance improved, but he was starting to contribute. For the first time he was an active member of his class. And it wasn't just history. Christy said she was noticing it in music too. Robert seemed like a new person. To end The Wave might mean returning Robert to the role of class creep and taking away the only chance he had. pg. 84

The students had to end it themselves, and they had to understand why. Otherwise the lesson, the pain, all that had gone into it, was for nothing. pg. 124

If David or Laurie went to school the next day and told the students that Mr. Ross planned to end The Wave, the students would be biased. They might end it without really understanding why it had to end. Or worse, they might try and fight him, keeping The Wave alive despite its obvious destiny. pg. 128