Subject

Grade Level

Period(s)

Date(s)

American Lit

11

2&3

2/10/15

Daily Learning Targets

(Objectives)

CCSS

SWBAT: learn about banned books and censorship and how it is still going on in
the world today.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or
formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or
solve a problem.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Materials Needed

Fahrenheit 451 PowerPoint

Fahrenheit 451 books
Copies of the reading schedule
Paper/pencils
The Great Gatsby books
The Great Gatsby essays

Procedures

Journal #2
o As students write their journal and learning goal, I will pass back the
essays from last week & remind them that they have a week to re-write.
o Go over the answers to the journal
What do you think of when you hear the word censorship?
Why?
Are there valid reasons for banning a book?
If so, what are the reasons? If not, why not?
Do you know of any banned books? List them.
Do you know why they might be banned?
If so, write that too.
Out of all the banned books, which is the most challenged and
banned? Why?
Banned Vs. Challenged books
o Definitions
o Why ban? Top 3 reasons/chart
o Look at the classics
o Most banned book
o First Amendment
Every day Censorship: write down how you are censored at home, at school, in
the community, in the country.
Hand out reading schedule and books. Write down book numbers. Go over whats
to come.
Hand in Gatsby books.

Reinforcement
(Independent Practice)

none

Assessments

none

Adaptations/Extension
s

Rationale

Since the main theme of the novel is censorship, we will take a look at the challenged and
banned books in our country (and others). It will open their eyes to the extent of how
censorship is still prevalent today.

Reflection

Many students didnt believe that we currently have banned and challenged books. Taking
a look at the titles and the reasons really opened their eyes. Many were outraged and had
plenty to say. Since many titles are familiar to students, they couldnt believe that the
books had been challenged, banned, and some even burned! When I asked them to guess
the most banned book, I got answers of religious texts, mainly the Bible and the Koran.
They were shocked that Harry Potter is banned just because it contains witchcraft and
wizardry.