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The History of Book Banning in America Lesson PlanThe History of Book Banning in America Lesson Plan
Publisher
PBS
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
7th - 12th
Subjects
English Language Arts
2 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
1 hr
Instructional Strategies
Direct Instruction
2 more...
Technology
Projection
Internet Access
Usage Permissions
Fine Print
Lesson Plan

The History of Book Banning in America

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Harry Potter, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, To Kill a Mockingbird. Kids view a slide show and then discuss the seven banned books featured in the presentation and the reasons why the books may have been banned.

180 Views 38 Downloads

Concepts

banned books, censorship

Additional Tags

english language arts

Instructional Ideas

  • Have class members use the provided map to determine the books banned in their area and then research the reasoning behind the banning

Classroom Considerations

  • The last week of September is designated as Banned Books Week 

Pros

  • The resource includes a list of the most common types of objections against books as well as extension activities

Cons

  • While the links provide valuable information, the lesson itself is underdeveloped

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

“Banning Books” Lesson Plan

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To Kill a Mockingbird, Hunger Games, Brave New World. Welcome to Banned Books Week. As part of a study of censorship and book banning, class members investigate censorship, the purposes of censorship, and First Amendment rights,...
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Lesson Plan

Why are Children’s and Young Adult Books Challenged and Banned?

Anti-Defamation League
September's "Banned Books Week" brings attention to the number of books that are challenged, censored, or banned each year. After watching a video about banned book week, reading articles about the history of book banning, and examining...
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Handout

Banned Books

Curated OER
Should people be able to ban books from schools and libraries if they find them objectionable? Scholars read the three main pros and cons regarding banned books. They also review a list of the top 10 challenged books from 2017 and...
9th - 12th English Language Arts
CCSS: Adaptable
Handout

Focus On: Censorship & Banned Books

Random House
Billy Collins' "Rain" introduces the Random House 104-page magazine for educators that focuses on censorship and banned books. The resource is packed with teaching guides, articles by noted authors, and links to...
6th - 12th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

To Ban or Not to Ban? Intellectual Rights and Responsibilities: Banned Books, Censorship Part 2

K20 LEARN
After examining different perspectives on book banning, scholars select a book from a list of frequently banned books and research the controversies surrounding it. They then craft an argument about their chosen book, including arguments...
9th - 12th English Language Arts
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Lesson Plan

Ban That Book!

Curated OER
Take advantage of Banned Book Week to pique students' interest and get them reading! Create a classroom display of previously banned books and allow each member of your class to choose one to read. After they have read their book, get...
9th - 12th English Language Arts
Activity

Read Write Think: Get Ready to Celebrate Banned Books Week

ReadWriteThink
The last week of September is generally the time to celebrate Banned Books Week. Use this lesson plan from ReadWriteThink talk about censorship and why it is important to protect books.
9th - 10th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

A Look at the History of Book Banning in America

Curated OER
Why do books end up on the banned book list? How do these banned books contribute to the literary canon? Start by showing the photo slide show, and discussing notably banned books. Then focus on some of the most popular objections:...
7th - 12th English Language Arts
Lesson Plan

Trigger Warnings - Intellectual Rights and Responsibilities: Banned Books, Censorship Part 1

K20 LEARN
"Warning: Conducting this lesson may be harmful." Such statements, called "Trigger Warnings," are the focus of a two-part lesson that looks at censorship, especially the pros and cons of trigger warnings. Class members read two articles,...
9th - 12th English Language Arts
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Planet Article

Banned Book Week: Tips for Teaching Censorship

Curated OER
Consider how book censorship erodes our right to free speech and intellectual freedom.
6th - 9th English Language Arts
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