Fahrenheit 451 the novel, censorship, and book-

burning

Page 1IntroductionTaskResourcesProcessEvaluation #1Evaluation #2ConclusionStandardsCitationsTeacher Notes

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“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to

stop reading them.”-Ray Bradbury

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Introduction

Welcome to the Fahrenheit 451 WebQuest! Our adventure begins after reading Ray Bradbury’s 1953 novel warning of the dangers of censorship. Ironically, this novel has been banned and even edited since its publication. We’ll follow this quest to learn more about the history of censorship, book-banning, and even book-burning.

Before you begin, Take a censorship

quiz to learn more about it.

Click here to go to KIDSPEAK.ORG!Take the “Censorship IQ” quiz and explore the site.

Task

As you follow the WebQuest, you’ll be gathering information to support a position, either for or against censorship. You will be given a role to play during this discussion and will be responsible for collecting and presenting information to support your position in panel discussion form. You will also be submitting a written summary of what you learned and your personal position. The process screen will get you started!

Resources

Websites (imbedded in quest) Notetaking materials Computers The novel, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray

Bradbury Individual interviews

Back to Process

Process After being assigned your role, click on the name

of your role to follow the links. Within your assigned role, determine what

information will be useful for you to support your position in a panel discussion. Make notes about that information and be sure to keep a list of sources. You may use other reliable sources as well.

This WebQuest will take one school week: 2 days for introduction and research, 2 days for preparation and summary writing, and 1 day for the panel discussion.

Roles: teacher, student, parent, school board member, Ray Bradbury

Role #1 : The Teacher You are a teacher who believes strongly that books should NOT be

banned. You think that your students are capable of making choices and determining what is and is not appropriate (with their parents help).

Scour the following websites to gain information to support your position during the panel discussion.

Sources: A definition of censorship- A list of banned books- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda- Nazi book-burning picture- American Library Association- The author’s website- Censorship throughout the ages- More on banned children’s books- This site has many links to

explore.

Back to Process

Role #2 The Student You are a student (big stretch, huh?). You believe

that 8th grade students are NOT mature enough to handle certain books, especially, Fahrenheit 451. You will defend this position in a panel discussion after researching the history of censorship and book banning. In addition to the novel, use the following resources:

A definition of censorship- A list of banned books- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda- Nazi book-burning picture- American Library Association- The author’s website- Censorship throughout the ages- More on banned children’s books- This site has many links to

explore. Back to Process

Role #3 The Parent You are a parent of an 8th grader. You may

determine your position ( for or against banning the book) after conducting your research. You will defend your position in a panel discussion.

Resources other than the novel - A definition of censorship- A list of banned books- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda- Nazi book-burning picture- American Library Association- The author’s website- Censorship throughout the ages- More on banned children’s books- this site has many links to

explore

Back to Process

Role #4 The School Board Member

You are a school board member. Your duty is to act on the behalf of what is best for the students of your community. After researching the sources, form a position, but be prepared to keep an open mind during the discussion.

Resources other than the novel:- A definition of censorship- A list of banned books- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda- Nazi book-burning picture- American Library Association- The author’s website- Censorship throughout the ages- More on banned children’s books- This site has many links to

explore.

Back to Process

Role #5 Ray Bradbury You are the author. Obviously, you are against

censorship. You are defending your book as well as all literature in the panel discussion. Use the sources below to educate yourself on censorship as well as his opinions on it.

Resources other than the novel:- A definition of censorship- A list of banned books- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda- Nazi book-burning picture- American Library Association- The author’s website- Censorship throughout the ages- More on banned children’s books- This site has many links to

explore.

Back to Process

Evaluation #1 The Panel Discussion

In the panel discussion, each participant will:

1. State his or her role and position clearly 5 points

2. Have support material to back up opinions (documented) 15 points

3. Participate equally, question fairly, and listen actively 20 points

4. Remain professional and respectful within the role 10 points

50 point totalBack to task

Evaluation #2 The Summary

In a one page essay, you will:1. Summarize what you learned about

censorship. 20 pts2. Support your personal (not the role

you were assigned) position on the banning of books. 20 points

3. Use standard MLA format (typed, double spaced) 10 points

50 point total Back to Task

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have learned more about censorship and book banning. You should be able to defend your position well using the information you collected through this WebQuest. Feel free to explore other resources or options to prepare your summary and your panel discussion notes.

Standards

This WebQuest addresses the following Georgia Performance Standards in Language Arts

ELA9RL3 The student deepens understanding of literary works by relating them to contemporary context or historical background.

ELA9RC4 The student establishes a context for information acquired by reading across subject areas.

ELA9W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing.

ELA9LSV1 The student participates in student-to-teacher, student-to-student, and group verbal interactions.

ELA9LSV2 The student formulates reasoned judgments about written and oral communication in various media genres. The student delivers focused, coherent, and polished presentations that convey a clear and distinct perspective, demonstrate solid reasoning, and combine traditional rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description.Click here to see technology standards

The following are Georgia Performance Standardsfor Technology:

Click here to see library standards

ELA9W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing.

Teacher Notes

This WebQuest should be conducted after the reading of the novel, Fahrenheit 451, so that the students can use the text as support for their individual arguments.

The teacher should act as the panel discussion mediator by presenting the topic (Should Fahrenheit 451 be banned?), facilitating equal discussion, and asking prompting questions of each member.

Simply conducting a search on censorship and children will produce many useful sites.

Citations American Library Association (2008).

http://ala.org/ala/oif.basics/Default2272.cfm Bradbury, Ray. (1953). Fahrenheit 451. New York:

Balentine Books. Kennedy, Elizabeth. Banning and censorship of children’s books:

Banned books the who and why. About.com: Children’s books. Retrieved July 31, 2008, from http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/censorship/a/censorship.htm

Newth, Mette. (2001). The long history of censorship. Beacon for freedom of expression. Retrieved 31 July, 2008, from http://beaconforfreedom.org/about_project/history.html

Ockerbloom, John M. (1993). Banned books online: unfit for schools and minors? The Online books page. Retrieved July 31, 2008 from, www.onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu

What is censorship? Global Internet Literacy Campaign, Retrieved July 31, 2008, from http://gilc.org/speech/osistudy/censorship\