Reading Banned Books
from NCTE INBOX 9-13-11
Banned Books Week, which runs September 24-October 1 this year, draws attention to the issue of censorship and how it can best be combated. NCTE, through its Anti-Censorship Center, offers advice, helpful documents, and other support to teachers and schools faced with challenges to texts (e.g., literary works, films and videos, drama productions) or teaching methods used in their classrooms and schools. This year, NCTE is also a proud sponsor of Banned Books Week.
The following resources explore ways to discuss censorship issues with your students, as well as ways to respond to text challenges in your school.
For a general introduction, visit this ReadWriteThink.org calendar entry (G) which links to classroom activities and online resources. Be sure to check out the ReadWriteThink.org lesson plan A Case for Reading -- Examining Challenged and Banned Books (E), which introduces students to censorship and then invites them to read a challenged book and decide for themselves what should be done with the book at their school.
"Focus on Policy: Intellectual Freedom" (G), from Language Arts, outlines details on banning incidents, the importance of selection, and suggestions for overcoming text challenges. The article also includes listings of additional resources.
The English Journal articles "Banned Books: A Study of Censorship" (S) and "Celebrate Democracy! Teach about Censorship" (M) include details on extended units on censorship. You'll find a range of materials for exploring censorship in the classroom with the ReadWriteThink.org lesson plan Censorship in the Classroom: Understanding Controversial Issues (S).
"Deflecting the Political in the Visual Images of Execution and the Death Penalty Debate" (C), from College English, explores the visual images that readers are and are not allowed to view and asserts that "the attempt to suppress the visual, as in any censorship of the press, is an attempt to limit debate."
Teacher educators can share with preservice teachers "What Do I Do Now? Where to Turn When You Face a Censor" (G), from NCTE's Preserving Intellectual Freedom: Fighting Censorship in Our Schools. The chapter provides scenarios and related resources K-college teachers can use as the basis for discussion and problem-solving role-playing. Preservice teachers might then use the detailed instructions in the SLATE Rationales for Teaching Challenged Books CD (G) for writing their own rationales.
In the 21st century, censorship in the English classroom rears its head in some familiar and some unexpected ways. Read more in the Council Chronicle article, “Defending the Right to Read: A Modern Tale” (G).
This year, for the first time, readers from around the world will be able to participate virtually in Banned Books Week. NCTE is a co-sponsor of this year’s celebration and invites its members to proclaim the virtues of their favorite banned books by posting videos of themselves reading excerpts to this dedicated YouTube channel. What book will you be reading from?
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