This is “Banned Book Week”. I love teaching about this week to fifth graders. It gives me an opportunity to tie in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights at a level of their understanding.
Today, I put lots of books on the tables for the students to examine and come up with a list of common traits. Of course, no one thought about books being challenged or banned.
Then I asked for them to stand up if they had read some of the books: Bridge to Terabitha, The Goosebumps series, The Captain Underwear series, Harry Potter, etc. You get the drift.
Then we talked about that these books had all been challenged. And it was here that I could book talk the following books:
From the “We the People” series, The Bill of Rights by Michael Burgan. It is a no frills, very factual explanation of the Bill of Rights, what they are and how they are formed. Complete with maps, illustrations, photos, and great appendices, this is a great jumping off spot for the First Amendment.
The other book, We the People by Lynne Cheney, tells the story of the how the Constitution was written. Cheney offers up quotes, great sources at the end of the book. I think it gives a clear picture about how the founding fathers struggled. Really great to use in the beginning of the school year as classrooms are establishing their rules and expectations. Greg Harlin illustrated the book. He has done the painting for several of Cheney’s books.
It is always fun to see the faces on students regarding my own experiences with book challenges, with learning that the have a right to read but until they are 18, their parents can also tell them what not to read, and the surprise that some books are on a challenged list.
The conversation today, provided a wonderful follow up to last weeks, “choosing a “good-fit” book since knowing what is appropriate for your family’s values and beliefs ties back to book selection.
Nonfiction Monday is hosted by Wendie’s Wanderings. Head over and see what is happening in the world of nonfiction this week.
Get ready. It is almost time to nominate for the CYBILS. Nominations open October 1 and close October 15. You can nominate one book per category. If the book has already received an nomination, be ready to nominate something else.
