Lit Pack: Banned Books Novel Study for 4th-5th Graders Part I

Why Banned Books?

Allowing children to read banned books increases critical thinking, empathy, and intellectual freedom. By engaging with complex themes and diverse perspectives, children develop enhanced vocabulary and language skills. This course promotes open dialogue between parents and children, encouraging thoughtful discussions about sensitive topics. It supports intellectual growth, teaches values of tolerance and free expression, and takes a stand against censorship. Enrolling in this course provides a guided, enriching experience that prepares children for real-world issues and strengthens their problem-solving abilities, making it an invaluable addition to their education. Also, it opens the door to reading!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁?
This self-paced novel study course explores four classic books that have appeared on the American Library Association (ALA) banned book lists. Students will develop critical thinking and reading comprehension skills through engaging with these texts, while also exploring the reasons these books have been challenged. The course will also emphasize themes such as friendship, bravery, the importance of imagination, and dealing with loss.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
1. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White
2. “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl
3. “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson
4. “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱?
– Thematic analysis of each book
– Character development and motivations
– Plot structure and major events
– Literary devices and techniques
– Historical context and reasons for the books being challenged
– Critical thinking about censorship and freedom of speech

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱?
The course is divided into four modules, one for each book. Each module includes:
– Reading assignments
– Discussion questions
– Vocabulary sheets
– Project-based activities
– Quizzes to check comprehension
– Writing prompts
– Cross-curricular projects

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁?
This is a self-paced course, allowing students to work through the material at their own speed. Each module provides a comprehensive study guide, and students will have access to a variety of resources including videos, slides, and interactive activities. Guidance will be provided through written instructions and occasional video explanations.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲?
The teaching style is student-centered and project-based, emphasizing active learning and critical thinking. Students will engage with the material through hands-on projects, creative assignments, and thought-provoking questions. This approach aims to make learning enjoyable and meaningful.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲?
While this is a self-paced course, learners will have opportunities for interaction through:
-Optional live Q&A sessions
-Email support for additional help

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
– Discussion Questions: After each reading assignment, students will answer discussion questions that promote deeper understanding and critical thinking.
– Vocabulary Sheets: Students will expand their vocabulary with words from the texts, reinforcing their language skills.
– Project-Based Activities: Each module includes creative projects, such as dioramas, character journals, and thematic art projects.
– Quizzes: Interactive multiple-choice quizzes will assess students’ comprehension of the material.
– Writing Prompts: Students will respond to prompts that encourage them to think critically about the themes and characters.
– Cross-Curricular Projects: Activities will integrate subjects like science, history, math, and art to provide a well-rounded educational experience.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀:
By the end of the course, students will have a deeper appreciation for classic literature, improved reading comprehension and critical thinking skills, and a better understanding of the importance of freedom of speech and the impact of censorship. They will also gain confidence in expressing their ideas and opinions through various forms of creative and analytical work.

1. Develop Critical Reading Skills:
– Students will enhance their ability to analyze and interpret literature, identifying themes, character motivations, and plot structures within the texts.

2. Expand Vocabulary and Language Skills:
– Students will learn and apply new vocabulary words encountered in the readings, improving their language comprehension and usage.

3. Understand the Impact of Censorship:
– Students will explore the reasons why certain books have been banned or challenged, fostering an understanding of censorship, freedom of speech, and the societal impact of literature.

4. Engage in Creative and Analytical Writing:
– Students will respond to writing prompts and complete project-based activities that encourage both creative expression and critical analysis related to the themes and characters of the books.

5. Integrate Cross-Curricular Knowledge:
– Students will participate in cross-curricular projects that connect themes from the books to subjects like science, history, math, and art, promoting a well-rounded educational experience.

Content Advisory and Parental Guidance

Some of the books covered in this course contain themes that may be upsetting to some learners, such as death, betrayal, and challenging societal norms. I recommend that parents utilize resources like Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org) and Compass Book Ratings (compassbookratings.com) to review the content of each book and determine their comfort level with their child reading these materials. These resources provide detailed summaries, content warnings, and age-appropriate ratings for books and other media.

While I will address sensitive themes such as loss and conflict, I assure you that all topics will be presented in an age-appropriate manner, suitable for 4th-5th graders. This approach ensures that learners can explore these important themes in a safe and supportive environment.