Subject(s): Language Arts Grades(s): Grades 6-7, Junior High/High School

Title – Censorship on Our Library
By – Rebekah Leaman
Primary Subject – Language Arts
Grade Level – 6 – 8th grades
Lesson Title: Censorship In Our School

Lesson Purpose:

The purpose of this lesson is to challenge students to research a book that contains content that might be questionable to an elementary library (grades 4 – 6) and write a persuasive letter to the governing board of their school library. The title may already be in the library and they feel it should be removed, or the title may not yet be in the library and they would like it added to the library collection.

Educational Standards:

Reading, Writing, Speaking, and
Listening Academic Standards
1.1          Learning to Read Independently
1.2          Reading Critically in All Content Areas
1.4          Types of Writing
1.5          Quality of Writing
1.6          Speaking and Listening
1.8          Research

Lesson Objectives:

Students will research and read about the issue of censorship and banned books.

Students will brainstorm titles of books that they, their friends, or collaborators feel could possibly be rejected as an entry to the school library.

Students will research a specific title, read the book, and write a short summary / review.

Students will elicit responses / reactions from peers, parents, librarians, teachers, administrators, and the author.

Students will write a persuasive piece to the governing board about their chosen title.

Students will brainstorm titles of books that they, their friends, or collaborators feel could possibly be rejected as an entry to the school library, or one in the library that they feel should be removed. Students will be required to elicit ideas from others through surveys, email, mail, or discussion groups. Students will also research lists of banned books that are posted on the internet. Some examples of possible books:

Jade Green by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer
She Said Yes by Misty Bernall
Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

Lesson Activity #1 Web Info

Students may visit the following sites for lists of books that have been recommended for banning.
(site) http://www.csulb.edu/library/subj/banned.html
(site) http://www.ala.org/bbooks
(site) http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/People/spok/most-banned.html

Students may visit the following sites for discussion groups, or chat rooms to pose questions and receive responses / reactions.
(network) http://www.homeworkspot.com
(network) http://www.kidsreads.com
(network) http://www.adventureon-line.com
(network) http://www.scholastic.com/schoolage/experts/index.htm
(network) http://www.parentsroom.com

Students will research why books would be kept off library shelves and the history of censorship. This activity will give the students background information and also help them support their argument in their final persuasive piece. Students can also interview authors, librarians, students, and parents, asking questions about censorship and their thoughts / opinions regarding the issue. Interviews can take place in person, through a survey, or posting questions on a discussion board or email.

Lesson Activity #2 Web Info

Students should visit the following sites and read information pertaining to banned books / censorship. Students should take notes that will later help them in their persuasive piece.
(site)http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/censors.html
(site) http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challeng.html#wbc
(site) http://www.article19.org
(site) http://www.luc.edu/libraries/banned
(network) http://www.yahoo.com/Education/k_12
(network) http://www.classroom.net/teachercontact
(network) http://www.homeworkspot.com
(network) http://www.kidsreads.com
(network) http://www.adventureon-line.com
(network) http://www.scholastic.com/schoolage/experts/index.htm
(network)http://www.parentsroom.com

The first question that most governing boards ask about a challenged book is, “Did you read it?” Therefore, the students will read the specific title they have chosen. They will also research other book reviews written about their chosen title. The next step will be for the students to write a short summary / review of the text.

Lesson Activity #3 Web Info

The following sites may visited for book reviews:
(site) http://www.bravemonster.com/current_kidreview.htm
(site) http://www.spaghettibookclub.org/index.shtml
(site) http://www.readersread.com/bookreviews.htm
(site) http://www.storyplace.org/storyplace.asp
(site) http://www.ala.org/booklist
(site) http://www.friend.ly.net/scoop
(site) http://school.discovery.com/ontv/videoclips.html

Students will elicit responses / reactions from peers, teachers, administrators, librarians, the author, and parents in regards to the particular title they are researching. Responses / reactions should focus on the appropriateness of the book in reference to an elementary library (grades 4 – 6).

Lesson Activity #4 Web Info

The following sites may be used for connections with others to elicit responses / reactions.
(network) http://www.parentcouncil.com
(network) http://www.yahoo.com/Education/k_12
(network) http://www.classroom.net/teachercontact
(network) http://www.homeworkspot.com
(network) http://www.kidsreads.com
(network) http://www.adventureon-line.com
(network) http://www.scholastic.com/schoolage/experts/index.htm
(network)http://www.parentsroom.com
(network) http://www.manteno.k12.il.us
(network) http://brainpop.com

Students will compile all information gathered through activities #1 – #4 and write a persuasive piece to the governing board of the library. This piece could be to have the book removed or have the book placed in the library. Students should include a short book review written by them and support their opinion with the responses / reactions from the other collaborators.

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