The last week in September is Banned Books Week!

As schools and libraries celebrate classic novels that faced censorship, My Access! users may be interested in how MY Access! supports not only a full curriculum, but also special events like this.

Here are some ideas:
1. Consider using the middle school, Intellimetric prompt  “Banning Books” as a journaling topic or essay assignment.

2. As with all Intellimetric prompts,”Banning Books”, is accompanied by writer’s models that provide examples of essays at all scorepoints, and student opinions in the essays that can be used in classroom debate.

The prompt “Banning Books” also comes with a complete lesson plan that provides ideas on teaching idea development, research, drafting, and revision. The lesson plan can be found in the MY Access! Resource and training Center as well as in the Vantage Learning Community.

3. For whole group instruction, consider projecting the Persuasive Wizard and fill it in as a class. You or a student volunteer can fill in the pros and cons about censorship as students generate ideas to debate this important topic.

4. Use a title search in MY Access! to find prompts about these books that have been or are currently banned:
•    Animal Farm (HS Intellimetric)
•    Catcher in the Rye (2 pilot prompts at the HS level)
•    Frankenstein (2 pilot prompts at the HS level)
•    And of course, Harry Potter!  MY Access! has pilot prompts at all grade levels for this popular (yet censored) book!

Let us know your classroom ideas for Banned Books week!
Post them below.

Duration: 7 parts, including six 45-50 minute periods

Printable version: Pocahontas lesson plan 

The Double Life of Pocohantas by Jean Fritz Pilot Prompt

Imagine that Pocahontas kept a diary. Choose a particular event in her life and write about it from her point of view. Tell about the event as if you were Pocahontas writing in her own private diary. (more…)

Duration: 3 class periods of 45-55 minutes
Printable: “Advice to a Candidate” Lesson Plan (PDF)

Advice to a Presidential Candidate Prompt:

As the U.S. Presidential election season heats up, the voices of America’s diverse citizenry cry out, expressing the people’s needs, opinions, and visions for the future.  In the midst of all these competing voices, the Presidential candidates have to carefully consider what they say in return.  Imagine that you have the opportunity to speak privately to the candidate of your choice before he or she makes an important speech.  What would you tell him or her to say to America? (more…)