Wrapping #1

What are the possible ways to publish the information that I've found.  I've got specific instances for most and author's voices....In Kuhlthau's ISP, I'm getting toward the preparing to present stage. 

TASK: conclude

Thoughts:  I still need to collect a good bibliography for my project.  I also need to collect more author's voices.

Feelings: I definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I still have more to do. 

Actions:  I need to look over my sources and gather a few more as I begin my project.

Strategy:  Return to the library...Just did that last night and this afternoon.  I've checked out many of these books so I can get a good look at them. =)

Sorting...

So many parents and "concerned" citizens have found it prudent to go ahead and challenge books when they haven't even gone to the source.  Let's hear what the author has to say.  Why did the author write this book?  Why was that offensive content included?  Hmm... Would this be considered questioning evolution?  See the video below.  Interesting...A challenge to The Kite Runner came with a parental complaint that the book is "not worthy of being read by any student."  The Kite Runner??!!

Khaled Hosseini on becoming a writer

Weaving: Evaluating Sources Checklist

As I look at my different sources for the books I'm researching, I made myself a checklist:

____source provided a specific example of a challenge

____source gave both sides of the challenge

____source included quotations from people involved

____source included the author's opinion

Some of my sources simply gave a one-sided story.  For example, rightwingwatch.com gave a quote from the Christian Coalition and used this quote to characterize "right wingers" concerns with Twilight.  I went to some other sources and still want to see if I can find a quote from the author.  

Evaluation is an important part of media literacy.  Simply surfing through information doesn't really require too many skills; it's the ability to, as McKenzie's Research Cycle puts it, "sort and sift" through information.  Can we categorize and prioritize information?  This is something I just do automatically and simply expect students to do as well.  =) Well, I guess that's why I'm doing this project. =)

My 2 Cents: Norman Public Schools Cancels Author's Appearance

Researching all these book challenges is kind of frustrating. Check out this news reporter's take on Ellen Hopkin's Crank:
My 2 Cents: Norman Public Schools Cancels Author's Appearance

Evaluating

I'm researching The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian...Went to the website for Focus on the Family, a conservative organization.  I was surprised at how neutral their tone was in review of the book.  They just spelled out the facts...why they take issue with it.  No spin.  I'll have to go back to this site!

Organizing my notes: Weaving

I posted a few days ago that I'm using virtual sticky notes.  In the Wiggling process, students will need some kind of tool to help them organize their information.  In writing class, I like to give students a variety of graphic organizers and let them choose which ones will help them the most...


As I sort through information, I decided to organize it by the ISSUES presenting themselves in these books.  As I researched different instances of censorship, I saw that there were various reasons why books were banned.  The Golden Compass, for example, was censored for religious purposes.  So, religious purposes would YELLOW be yellow.


Then I ran into a problem...The book I'm currently researching is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian.  That has been censored for social and moral reasons.  Hmm...So, here's my plan...I'm going to do a concept map graphing out the different reasons books have been banned.  I'm going to do a different color sticky note for each book to avoid confusion.  =)