1. Bell Ringer: Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Objective(s): Identify prepositions; take a position
A preposition is a word or group of words that is used with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, location, or time, or to introduce an object. Together, the preposition and its object are called a prepositional phrase.
Directions: Copy the sentences below and underline the prepositional phrases.
A man in a gray suit bought three lottery tickets.
Max arrived at noon.

2. What are we doing today? Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Finish scenes from the play
Notes on banned books
Brainstorm for the essay

3. History of Banned Books
Book banning has been happening for a long time since roughly 399 B.C. when Socrates was charged for “corrupting young minds” (Conger, 2013).
A lot of legal cases in the United States have followed including The Bluest Eye being banned in Ohio (where it takes place).

4. Banning Statistics (ALA, 2010) Take Notes

5. Banning Statistics (ALA, 2010) Take Notes

6. Banning Statistics (ALA, 2010) Take Notes

7. Reasons for Banning (ALA, 2010) Take Notes

8. How does banning happen?
Challenge: Formal, written complaint requesting a book be removed.
School Board Decides:
Sometimes based on the “Miller Test”, it is determined if the book should be removed.
Book Removal:
From all districts/schools.

9. What is the “Miller Test”?
Against obscene literature: Miller v. California.
Three parts:
Appeal to only sexual interests when taken as a whole
Involve offensive sexual conducts.
Contain no literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

10. Reasons Against Banning Take Notes
Creating a precedent.
First Amendment (works both ways):
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Individual school rights.

11. Bell Ringer: Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Objective(s): Identify prepositions; brainstorm for the essay
A preposition is a word or group of words that is used with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, location, or time, or to introduce an object. Together, the preposition and its object are called a prepositional phrase.
Directions: Copy the sentences below and underline the prepositional phrases.
After the movie, we will be eating pizza at the restaurant.
2. Please hang the picture between the bed and the dresser.

12. Bell Ringer: Thursday, February 5, 2015
Objective(s): Add prepositions; write strong arguments
A preposition is a word or group of words that is used with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, location, or time, or to introduce an object. Together, the preposition and its object are called a prepositional phrase.
Directions: Copy the sentences below and add prepositions in the blanks.
Crystal attends college _____ the University of Illinois whereas Maura goes _____ Depauw.
2. Marcus collected some facts _____ human biology because he interned _____ a lab ____ the summer.

13. Writing Claims: I think ______ because….
Yes, I think The Bluest Eye should be banned in schools…
No, I do not think The Bluest Eye should be banned in schools…
People have "tried to discredit the book..."citing depictions of incest and child molestation as 'pornographic' and 'totally inappropriate' for students."
"I don't want my grandchildren reading it, and I don't want anyone else's children reading it."
The American Civil Liberties Union recommended that rather than banning the book, that schools use "controversial literature as an opportunity to improve students' critical thinking skills and create open dialogue between students and the community."
"In real-life America, an estimated 207,754 women are sexually assaulted annually, a full 44 percent of whom are under the age of 18. This pervasive sexual violence is reality for tens of thousands of students..."
Have students summarize the points made by the quotes, write two or three for each side on poster paper (and adding to the quotes with their own ideas, if they want). Students will choose one to use in their own essay.

14. Writing Strong Supporting Arguments
Example argument: “The Bluest Eye tells people about racism.”
Strong arguments are:
SPECIFIC: They don’t leave your reader with any lingering questions.
What does the book tell them about racism? That it’s bad? Good? Why is it important that people read about racism to begin with?
SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE: They aren’t just your opinion – they have proof!
Which parts of The Bluest Eye give examples of characters confronting racism? How does the book address the issue?
How does it make readers feel about racism?
Why is it important that arguments are specific? What happens when your argument is vague? Is it more/less believable why?
Why is it the role of evidence in creating a strong argument?

15. Supporting Arguments Example Claim: All students in the public schools should be required to read The Bluest Eye.
Supporting Argument #1:
Why do I think my claim is true?
 The Bluest Eye tells people about racism.
Evidence:
What passages/parts of the book support this?   

16. Supporting Arguments Example Claim:
Why do I think my claim is true?
Evidence:
What passages/parts of the book support this?

17. WRITING WORKSHOP
Ms. Griswold will call you out in groups of four, based on how far you have gotten in your packet.
All students that are not in a writing group will continue to work in class, either finding evidence for their claim or starting to write their rough draft.
You will be giving one another feedback on your writing!
Come prepared to:
Read your writing out loud to the group.
Offer one positive comment to each person.
Offer a suggestion, or ask a question to each person.
Make your comments specific! Don’t just say “It was good,” but tell your group member what specifically was good (Was their claim strong? Did you especially like one piece of evidence they found?).
Make your comments matter! Don’t use your comment to point out a misspelled word – that won’t do very much to help your friend make their paper better! Think about the big picture.
In terms of class organization: we can try and reserve the back of the room as a quiet space for students who just want to write, who have a claim and are going strong by themselves. The front of the room can be for brainstorming – both choosing a side and finding evidence to support it. When they are pulled out, each group will spend about ten minutes going over their writing.