There is a great book called "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. It was voted the best children's book (Newberry Honor)in 1993 or 1994. Anyway, the story is about a community where there are no choices. Your job is chosen for you when you are 12, your family is given a child, and you are only allowed to have 1 boy and 1 girl. Also, everyone sees in black and white, and there are no memories of pain, etc.
Now, here is where it gets complicated. When you reach a certain age you are released. If a baby is having trouble surviving, it is released, if you break the rules 3 times, you are released. Released means "put to sleep, or killed". Anyway, the book's theme is that a life with no choices would be simple, but very dangerous. I have been reading this book to my 5th grade students to teach them the importance of voting, expressing their creativity and ideas, and making correct choices that will help them become successful in life.
Unfortunately, this book is being banned in many schools, however mine still has copies in the library. Anyway, today I received an email from a student's parent. He is a preacher and he is disgusted with the book. He says that he does not want his child to hear about such things. Other people have said that this book is a form of child abuse.
I guess where I am going is :
A. This is a story, and when directed by an adult, can really challenge the children's thinking skills.
B. Do I stop teaching about the Civil War because it involved killing, do I not mention the massacre of Natives at Wounded Knee by the U.S. cavalry, do I brush over the harsh realities of slavery?????
C. Please pick up a copy of this book and read it. It is not your typical children's book.
Thanks for listening,
Sean Potts
Censorship Running Rampid
P
PA Teacher
(view)
There is a great book called "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. It was voted the best children's book (Newberry Honor)in 1993 or 1994. Anyway, the story is about a community where there are no choices. Your job is chosen for you when you are 12, your family is given a child, and you are only allowed to have 1 boy and 1 girl. Also, everyone sees in black and white, and there are no memories of pain, etc.
Now, here is where it gets complicated. When you reach a certain age you are released. If a baby is having trouble surviving, it is released, if you break the rules 3 times, you are released. Released means "put to sleep, or killed". Anyway, the book's theme is that a life with no choices would be simple, but very dangerous. I have been reading this book to my 5th grade students to teach them the importance of voting, expressing their creativity and ideas, and making correct choices that will help them become successful in life.
Unfortunately, this book is being banned in many schools, however mine still has copies in the library. Anyway, today I received an email from a student's parent. He is a preacher and he is disgusted with the book. He says that he does not want his child to hear about such things. Other people have said that this book is a form of child abuse.
I guess where I am going is :
A. This is a story, and when directed by an adult, can really challenge the children's thinking skills.
B. Do I stop teaching about the Civil War because it involved killing, do I not mention the massacre of Natives at Wounded Knee by the U.S. cavalry, do I brush over the harsh realities of slavery?????
C. Please pick up a copy of this book and read it. It is not your typical children's book.
Thanks for listening,
Sean Potts
Now, here is where it gets complicated. When you reach a certain age you are released. If a baby is having trouble surviving, it is released, if you break the rules 3 times, you are released. Released means "put to sleep, or killed". Anyway, the book's theme is that a life with no choices would be simple, but very dangerous. I have been reading this book to my 5th grade students to teach them the importance of voting, expressing their creativity and ideas, and making correct choices that will help them become successful in life.
Unfortunately, this book is being banned in many schools, however mine still has copies in the library. Anyway, today I received an email from a student's parent. He is a preacher and he is disgusted with the book. He says that he does not want his child to hear about such things. Other people have said that this book is a form of child abuse.
I guess where I am going is :
A. This is a story, and when directed by an adult, can really challenge the children's thinking skills.
B. Do I stop teaching about the Civil War because it involved killing, do I not mention the massacre of Natives at Wounded Knee by the U.S. cavalry, do I brush over the harsh realities of slavery?????
C. Please pick up a copy of this book and read it. It is not your typical children's book.
Thanks for listening,
Sean Potts
