Fahrenheit 451 the novel, censorship, and book-burning A WebQuest for 8th Grade Language Arts Designed by – Elizabeth Zuver bry_aca_bzu@nwoca.org EDTL 680 – Information Literacy for Teaching and Learning – Summer 2008 Based on a template from The WebQuest Page Page 1 Introduction Task Resources Process Evaluation #1 Evaluation #2 Conclusion Standards Citations Teacher Notes Click the flaming arrow to go to page 1

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” -Ray Bradbury Click on the arrow to advance slides and the flame to go home

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 total Back to task

Evaluation #2 The Summary In a one page essay, you will: 1. Summarize what you learned about censorship. 10 pts 2. 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) 5 points 35 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 Ohio Academic Content Standards in Language Arts IV. Reading Applications Benchmark #7. Analyze author’s argument, perspective or viewpoint and explain the development of key points VI. Writing Processes Standard (all benchmarks included) Students’ writing develops when they regularly engage in the major phases of the writing process. The writing process includes the phases of prewriting, drafting, revising and editing and publishing. They learn to plan their writing for different purposes and audiences. They learn to apply their writing skills in increasingly sophisticated ways to create and produce compositions that reflect effective word and grammatical choices. Students develop revision strategies to improve the content, organization and language of their writing. Students also develop editing sills to improve writing conventions. IX. Research: Benchmarks #1-8 X. Communication: Oral and Visual: #1-7 Click here to see technology standards

The following are Ohio Academic Content Standards for Technology: Grade 8- Benchmark B “Develop search strategies, Retrieve information in a variety of formats and Evaluate the quality and appropriate use of Internet resources. Grade 8 -Benchmark C “Select, access and use appropriate electronic resources for a defined Information need.” Click here to see library standards

The Following are Guidelines for Effective School Library Media Programs in Ohio Standard: Information Literacy Grade 8, Benchmark E “Conduct research and follow a research process model that includes the following: Develop essential question; identify resources; select, Use and analyze information; synthesize and generate A product and evaluate both process and product.”

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 Bradbury, Ray. (1953). Fahrenheit 451. New York: Balentine Books. Important: This is a list of citations to the use of copyrighted materials. Cite all print, non-print, graphics, backgrounds, websites, etc. that are inserted into your WebQuest. Use APA Templates from PowerPoint do not need to be cited because they come from the software application.