Here are some links regarding ways to teach the book:
http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-3754.html
Here is an article dealing with how to handle censorship in the classroom by
the NCTE:
http://www.ncte.org/pdfs/members-only/ej/0862-feb97/EJ0862Filth.PDF
Here's a link that gives information about a book to use in helping to deal
with the grandparent:
http://www.newswise.com/articles/2001/9/BOOKBAN.FSU.html
the book: "School Censorship in the 21st Century: A Guide for Teachers and
School Library Media Specialists," published by the International Reading
Association.
Let me know if you want additional resources. I might be duplicating what
you already have, so if you want me to send other links, information, etc.,
I can.
Aside from Harry Potter, you do realize that Of Mice and Men is one of the
top "banned books" in the U.S.? It is one thing to allow a grandparent,
parent, or guardian to choose what his / her child should read in class. It
is quite another thing to allow that individual to dictate to everyone else
in the class what is appropriate based upon his / her own standards. This
individual wants to dictate to the school, the teacher, and the class what
is "morally correct" according to her standards. By having an alternative
choice, you have given the student the opt-out right. The classroom teacher
is not being unreasonable.
I am hoping that you have a collection and development policy with all the
appropriate forms available for your library. If this person starts in the
classroom, the library will be next. Stay strong, ask for assistance from
the Intellectual Freedom committee of the ALA, report the incident--they
will need the statistics to improve education to librarians, library staff,
etc. regarding intellectual freedom issues-- and stay professional.
Keep us posted!
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net
Let us know how it goes.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dashannon Lovin" <lovind@BLANCHESTER.K12.OH.US>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 1:31 PM
Subject: TAR:Censorship help
> I have searched the archives, ALA, Ebsco, and other databases, sent some
> emails and surfed the web for help and now I also ask for any help you
> can send.
> Our English 9 reads Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men as a classroom read and
> it has been challenged. We give the students the option of reading an
> alternative book if they object but the grandparent wants the title off
> the list. I am now serving on a Reconsideration Committee and I want to
> show up with lots of info to support keeping it on the class list with
> the alternative option. I have some censorship info and some other but
> I'm not really impressed with what I am finding. Any help would be
> appreciated. Our meeting is later this month. Thanks,
> DaShannon Lovin, LMS
> Blanchester Local Schools
> Blanchester Ohio 45107
> lovind@blanchester.k12.oh.us
>
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