[LM_NET] Censorship--my 2 cents

[Cheryl Youse <cyouse@GMAIL.COM>]

I think if someone is so concerned about negative feedback when reading a
book aloud in their school that they cover part of it with sticky notes,
perhaps that book is not a wise choice for a read aloud.  The kids will find
it on the shelves.

I am currently working with most of my Language Arts teachers on banned
books lessons.  My definition of banning a book is that it is when someone
who does not know you decides you can't read a book.  I emphasize to our
students that it IS their parents' responsibility (and their teachers') to
help make them choices in reading, just as it will be their responsibility
when they are parents. There are books that are inappropriate for some
students at points in their lives, or are inappropriate for their younger
brothers and sisters. BUT it is not the responsibility of someone who has
never met them and knows nothing about them to determine that they should
not read certain books.

We have had some good discussions.  Many students have admitted to reading a
book that their parents specifically told them not to read.  Many students
have shared that they have read the same book at two different points in
time and found it to have different meanings.  And a number of them have
named books that they really like but they don't think their younger
siblings should read yet.

-- 
Cheryl Youse, MLS
Media Specialist
Colquitt County High School
cyouse@gmail.com

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