Censorship Webquest Notes Guide

Censorship WebQuest Notes Guide

(Hey kiddos. Download this guide to your desktop so you can type your notes as you research. So much neater than your handwriting! Remember to save your work regularly!)

1.  What is censorship?

American Library Association

Define the following:

·  Expression of Concern:

·  Oral Complaint:

·  Written Complaint:

·  Public Attack:

·  Censorship:

What were the top 10 banned books for 2013? For what reasons?

Anita Silvey

What effect might censorship have on an author’s work?

Timeline

Name at least three books you have read or recognize? Were you surprised they’ve been banned in other educational environments? Do you agree or disagree with the censorship and why?

2.  How does the First Amendment relate to students and censorship?

First Amendment Center

·  What five freedoms are protected?

·  What is the Pico case? How did it affect a school’s ability to remove a book from the library?

·  Discuss two incidences of censorship in a K-12 environment in the past five years.

Anita Silvey- How might censorship backfire?

NCAC

·  What are some of the top 40 threats to freedom of speech at the moment? Do you think some of these things should be censored? Why or why not?

3.  What is the historical significance of censorship, especially book burning?

University of Wisconsin/ Slideshow

·  What reasons are given for why people burn books?

·  Name three groups that burn books with examples.

·  What often happens to censorship attempts? What is the Streisand Effect?

·  Name three burned books and possible reasons why? Have you read any from any of the lists? Do you agree with the censorship? Why or why not?

Holocaust Museum

·  What happened on May 10, 1933?

·  Name some works burned by the Germans.

·  Who is Heinrich Heine and what is his most famous quote?

Video

What point does the clip make about burning books?

4.  What are reasons for censoring library materials? Why are they valid or invalid?

·  What is the ALA’s view of censorship? How does censorship conflict with ALA goals?

·  Does the ALA change views when considering younger patrons? Why or why not? Who should censor books in their opinion?

Anita Silvey

·  Why might some parents or adults want to censor young adult literature?

·  Who should get to make decisions on what is appropriate for teens to read?

·  What conclusions can you draw about the ability of people to compromise on what is appropriate?

Laurie Halse Anderson

·  What does Anderson say students need most from English class and high school? How might controversial young adult literature help with this goal?

PABBIS

·  What criteria does this group use to judge books? What’s their mission? Share your thoughts.