As students in English II begin the unit on Fahrenheit 451, they will be exploring the concept of censorship and book banning. To further extend their understanding of the concept, students will also be selecting a book from a list of frequently challenged books to read, and then write a ficticious persuasive business letter to the Anaheim Union High School District school board members explaining reasons to retain or ban the book. Students will need to support their argument with quotations selected from their reading of the books as well as researching the history of challenges filed against the book of their choice.
AUHSD Challenge of Instructional Materials Policy
The AUHSD’s principles of intellectual freedom are as follows:
If a parent or staff member wishes to challenge instructional materials, the following procedures must be followed:
(Board Policy 7901.02R)
Search for news or magazine articles on censorship of your chosen book or author. Magazines such as American Libraries regularly publish columns like "Censorship Watch" that record book challenges and bannings around the country.
Also visit the display in the library of books available for this assignment along with a reference copy of the Banned Books Resource Guide. American Library Association, Chicago Illinois. This Guide is updated every 4 years.
Here is a list of challenged books at Western High School for use with this assignment.
The Library Teacher is available to present a booktalk on Powerpoint to give students ideas for books to select.