Censorship, Banned Books, and the Freedom to Read: Assignment

9^th Grade Fahrenheit 451 Banned Books Multimedia Research Project

(Deadlines for each part to be announced)

Part 1: Research

Using our “ Censorship, Banned Books, and the Freedom to Read” Lib Guide and library search tools, research historical and contemporary issues related to banned books.

Some focal points might include:

• Banned book titles and reasons why books were banned
• Book themes that have been and are currently challenged
• States and/or school districts where book banning is on the rise and related trends
• Laws (past and currently in process) related to banning books
• Historical precedence for banning books
• Banned books comparison to other nations
• Activists promoting the freedom to read
• And other areas that interest you related to censorship, banned books, and the freedom to read.

 

Part 2: Collaboration

Using your new found knowledge, share what stands out to you as significant, interesting, problematic, and/or surprising with classmates.

 

Part 3: Claim

As a group, develop a working claim about book banning that will shape and be developed in your media project.

 

Part 4: Return to Research

1. Return to research with a focus on your working claim.
2. Decide which sources will be most useful

 

Part 3: Source selection:

As a group, select a total of 7 sources that will be useful to your claim and multi-media project.

 

Part 4: Critical Annotated Bibliography:

Write a one paragraph summary and critique for each of your 6 sources.  Each student in your group should write at least 1 of the paragraphs.  Our library lesson will serve as a guide. We will also review how to write and format critical annotated bibliographies.

 

Part 5: Multi-Media Project

Student groups will choice a media project format from the menu below:

Multimedia Creation

Create a slide presentation focusing on the history of banned books through the present

Create an interactive board game focused on banned books.

Design a commercial or video trailer for a banned book or multiple related banned books.

Develop a Ted Talk about the dangers of banning books

Write and perform a speech before Congress focused on the dangers of banning books. Videotaped or live.

Write and perform a song about the dangers of banning books. Include visuals such as a music video or cover art

Write a script for a reenactment of a court scene focused on banning books. Act out the parts of lawyers, judges, and witnesses. Present court scene as a film or live performance.

Interview other Bronx Science students about their thoughts on banned books.  Be informative and demonstrate knowledge of book banning as you interview. Videotape interviews.

Create a videogame focused on banned books if you have advanced coding knowledge.

Design a magazine about banned books

A Book Banning Multimedia Research project of your choice. (See me for prior approval)