Two weeks ago, sixth graders embarked on a mini-unit in honor of Banned Books Week, an annual event that celebrates the freedom to read. We began with a discussion on the dangers and harms of censorship, and what we actually mean when we say that a book has been challenged or banned. Students posed thoughtful questions that informed and guided our discussions: What are some of the reasons why people would challenge these books? Where are they banned? What happens if you really want to read a book, but it’s banned in your school? Can my parents ban my sister and me from reading certain books? (The answer to that last one was the catalyst for clarifying the distinction between our parents setting rules and limits for us vs. demanding that no one else’s children should be allowed to read certain titles.)

The display on our front window sparked a lot of conversation around the types of books that have been challenged or banned. We looked at some of the trends and themes over time--when Harry Potter first released, it was fairly common to see fantasy books banned for their magical or supernatural content, whereas in the past few years, the majority of challenged and banned books tend to have characters or issues that would be considered “diverse.”

In the end, there is really no better way to celebrate the freedom of choice around reading but to read! So we began class each day with a read-aloud and whole-class discussion around our ideas for why certain books or poems had been banned. We often found ourselves giggling (Shel Silverstein’s poems are romanticizing cannibalism? Where the Wild Things Are is too frightening, contains witchcraft, and glorifies sending kids to bed without their supper?), but we also spoke seriously about the importance of respectful discussion and debate as an antidote to simply taking books off the shelves so that students aren’t exposed to different ideas, values, or cultures.

Sincerely,

Beth Gillis

Sixth Grade Humanities Teacher

Please make sure to pack enough lunch and snacks to satisfy your child's needs during the day. We have noticed an increasing number of students sharing their food and eating snacks from the Extended Day Room. Be particularly mindful that kids participating in sports may need an extra snack in the afternoon. Thank you for understanding.