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June 20, 2006 |
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Focusing on Censorship in the
Classroom Calls for censorship, like the recent dispute over Vamos a Cuba in the Miami-Dade schools (see the News story above), frequently communicate the tensions between differing cultural and philosophical perspectives. "When Values Clash: Learning from Controversy" (E) from Language Arts explores how such conflicts can become opportunities for communities to help students become literate, socially responsible, culturally aware, and contributing citizens. Rather than banning books with incomplete or inaccurate information, older students can make them the focus of study, comparing them to more accurate resources and discussing how and why different resources present information. After exploring the books, students can discuss whether the book should be removed from the library. The English Journal article "Celebrate Democracy! Teach about Censorship" (M-S) includes details on an extended unit on censorship, which combines free-choice reading, mock trials, and writing assignments. Another option is to take a look at censorship from a different angle to inform students' perspectives on banned books and other resources. The activities described in the English Journal article "Introducing Censorship: One Teacher's Approach" (M-S) focus on the ways books and speech are censored by supplementing a study of Inherit the Wind with a range of other banned topics. The College English article "'Hiding Our Snickers': Weekly Mail Journalists' Indirect Resistance in Apartheid South Africa" (C) tells the stories of journalists who battled the government censors on a weekly basis to convey essential information about the struggle against apartheid. In discussing the situations in these articles, teachers and students can think about the ways that censorship shape what they know about the world as well as the ways that people battle censorship. Facing a Text Challenge Yourself? For advice, rationales, and other help with challenges to literary works, films and videos, drama productions, or teaching methods, visit the NCTE Anti-Censorship Center.
NOTE: Free access to journal articles mentioned in this Inbox is provided
for 21 days. After this free access period expires, articles are available
to journal subscribers only. This Inbox Idea was published 6-20-06. |
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