Banned Books Project

Overview

Grade: 6th
Class Size: 16 students
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Other (aligned with Language Arts CCSS)
Unit: Banned Books

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

Summarize a selected banned book clearly (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2)
Cite textual and research-based evidence to explain why a book is challenged or banned (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.8)
Express and support their opinion regarding censorship (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1)
Define censorship using context clues and personal interpretation (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.4)
Conduct research with credible sources and document references (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.8)
Design a visually organized digital presentation (technology integration in communication)

Materials Needed

Chromebooks/tablets or computers with slideshow software (Google Slides, PowerPoint, etc.)
Research printouts or approved websites on banned books
Projector or interactive whiteboard for demonstration
Graphic organizers for planning slides
Rubric for assessing slideshow projects (prepared by teacher)

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher's Goal: Engage students and build background.
Activity:
- Brief discussion: “Have you ever heard of banned books? Why do you think some books are banned?”
- Introduce the project: Students will create a 7-slide digital presentation about a banned book of their choice, covering specific required topics (refer to the 7-slide structure).
- Show a sample slide for one banned book to set expectations.

2. Research and Note-taking (10 minutes)

Teacher's Goal: Enable students to gather evidence-based information.
Activity:
- Provide a handout organized into 7 note-taking sections (each section corresponding to a slide).
- Students use approved resources to research their selected banned book.
- Teacher circulates, scaffolds research quality and encourages paraphrasing in their own words to avoid plagiarism.

3. Slide Planning (5 minutes)

Teacher's Goal: Help students architect their presentation logically and creatively.
Activity:
- Students use a graphic organizer divided into 7 parts (one for each slide) to outline what content will go on each slide.
- Encourage writing 1-2 sentences per slide point to keep slides focused and concise.

4. Slide Creation (20 minutes)

Teacher's Goal: Guide students in transforming notes into a visual presentation.
Activity:
- Students transfer their researched notes into slides.
- Teacher reminds them to:
  - Include slide titles clearly.
  - Use bullet points for readability.
  - Add images or icons if desired (teacher-approved).
  - Cite sources on the final slide properly (no hyperlinks, just titles/authors).
- Teacher offers support with technical issues and content clarity.

5. Quick Presentations and Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher's Goal: Develop speaking skills and reflect on censorship concepts.
Activity:
- Select 3 volunteers to share one key slide from their project orally with the class.
- Reflect briefly by asking: “What new things did you learn about censorship or banned books today?”
- Collect all presentations for assessment later.

Assessment and Evaluation

Formative:
- Observation during research and slide creation phases for engagement and understanding.
- Graphic organizer completion check.
Summative:
- Final digital slideshow project assessed with rubric focused on:
  - Accuracy and completeness of content aligned with slide requirements (7 slides minimum).
  - Use of evidence and research for explanation.
  - Clarity and support of personal opinions on censorship.
  - Proper citation of resources.
  - Presentation neatness and organization.

Alignment with Common Core State Standards

Standard Code	Description	Lesson Element
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2	Determine a theme or central idea and summarize the text	Slide 2 summary of selected book
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.8	Trace and evaluate argument and specific claims in a text with supporting evidence	Slide 3 & 6, research-based explanations
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1	Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence	Slide 4, expressing own opinion
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.4	Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words or phrases based on context and usage	Slide 5, defining censorship
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.8	Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, citing sources	Slide 7, resources cited

Extensions and Differentiation

Advanced learners: Add audiovisual elements or record a narrated version of their presentation.
Students needing support: Use sentence starters and partner with a peer for research.
Cross-curricular link: Discuss historical periods when censorship increased (Social Studies).
Home connection: Encourage students to interview parents/siblings about their experiences with book challenges.

Teacher Notes

Prepare a list of commonly banned books with age-appropriate content aligned for 6th grade (e.g., The Giver, Harry Potter).
Monitor internet use carefully for reliable and age-appropriate research sources.
Use projectors or document cameras to demo slide creation live.
Encourage respectful discussion around differing opinions about banned books and censorship to build critical thinking and empathy.

This detailed lesson plan emphasizes evidence-based research, multimedia skill-building, and critical thinking aligned with Common Core standards, offering both structure and creative freedom to empower 6th graders in exploring the important contemporary topic of banned books and censorship.