During Banned Books Week, the LMS creates a display of books that have been banned in the U.S. over the decades. Students express surprise, concern and curiosity about the range of titles. This becomes the perfect lead-in for the English department to launch a project on studying literature from the perspective of censorship. The LMS not only provides lists of banned titles but she also assists the students as they select books to read and study in depth. She teaches them how to access related literature and reviews on these titles. In addition, she works with the teachers to devise an organizer and an assessment tool for the essays that the students ultimately write to voice their opinions about the books.
Overview:
In this project students conduct a historical survey of book banning in the U.S. They research why specific books have been banned and draw their own conclusions in defending or opposing the banning of specific books. The essential questions they address are: Which books have been banned in the U.S.? Why have they been banned? Do I support or oppose book banning, and why?
Final Product:
Each student assumes a persuasive stance in a mini-essay defending or supporting the banning of a specific book that is based on the research he/she has conducted. The essays are posted in a wiki accessible from the library’s website. This allows other students to join the conversation on the issue of censorship.
Library Lesson:
At this point in the project, students have selected and read the banned books of their choice and conducted background research on why the books have been banned. This particular lesson focuses on the synthesis of information collected before students draft their mini-essays.
NOTE: This specific lesson has not been taught; however, a variation of it has been implemented at Kapolei High School in Hawaii.
Estimated Lesson Time:
60 minutes
Have you taught this lesson before:
No
Strategies for differentiation:
The teacher and LMS assist students in selecting books that they find interesting and readable. They provide one-on-one conferencing support as students conduct their literature searches for background information and reviews.