The month of September is a great time to add Banned Books Week activities to your English Language Arts classes. Each year, the American Library Association and related organizations host Banned Books Week the last week of September. I was always surprised to find that my students weren’t aware of the current state of book banning even in our own district. Read on to learn about some of the ways I brought banned books week into my own classroom.
What is Banned Books Week?
Banned Books Week, usually celebrated the last week of September, is a collaborative response to “highlight the value of free and open access to information”. The year 1982 had an increase of challenged books. It even included a Supreme Court case (Island Trees School District v. Pico) on the subject of censorship. Each year libraries, bookstores, universities and public schools come together to celebrate the freedom to read. The focused effort aims at showcasing the harms of censorship through classroom lectures and lessons, participating in read-outs, or attending events hosted by local shops and libraries.
Why Discuss Censorship in the ELA Classroom?
Utilizing Banned Books Week in your classroom is an opportunity to introduce intellectual freedom and the right to read. You are setting the stage to promote lifelong learning by opening up a discussion of what it means to promote ideas, to have access to a variety of opinions, and the issues surrounding censorship.
Books that have been banned or challenged are often done because of perceived controversial topics or language. However, the subject matter of these books are often those that can create powerful connections on a personal level (think deep themes such as divorce, questions about identity, bullying, or loss and grief). These sorts of reading materials are a great opportunity to entice even reluctant readers. You may give your avid readers a chance to find some variety.
How Do I Incorporate Banned Books Week into My Class?
There are a number of ways you can bring Banned Books Week into your middle or high school ELA classes. You could first cover the history of Banned Books Week, discussing some of the key issues that prompted widespread challenges of books, researching founders to the cause, or discussing what censorship means.
Students can participate in independent reading assignments and present their books to class. Or, they can work in small reading groups so a variety of material can still be covered. You might try working with your library team to host a “blind date” with a book. After covering the books in plain paper, write on the front why the book was challenged or banned. Students can check out their mystery book and use it for an assignment in your class or for independent free reading time.
If you’re short on time to fit in a full reading, students can be encouraged to participate in a read-out. This is where students can share excerpts from books that have been banned, or prepare a short speech on their views of censorship and the right to read.
My no-prep Banned Books Project is a great download-and-go option if you’re short on time. The project includes a full lesson plan, original reading passage with comprehension questions, research project instructions with a template (great for bulletin boards), and more. Click here to check it out!
Additional Information and Resources
The Banned Books Week website is a great place to start on history. They also include promotional items and resources you can use in your classroom.
For more insight into Banned Books Week history, see this article by Lisa Fink from the National Council of Teachers of English. It includes some other links to some of the leading founders, videos, articles, and other resources on intellectual freedom.
In 1981, Time Magazine published their article, “Essay: The Growing Battle of the Books”, a precursor for the censorship conversations to follow in 1982.
Judith Krug was a co-founder of Banned Books Week. Her 2002 webinar “Intellectual Freedom 2002” is available as a transcript on the Library of Congress website.
Do you incorporate Banned Books Week in your classroom? Let me know in the comments below or join me on IG or Facebook to continue the conversation!
Happy teaching!
