Do you agree/disagree that the book should be available in the classroom? Would you use it as a part of your instruction? Why or why not? What problems would it present? What benefits would it offer?
I think that the book should be avaiable in the classroom for those children who want to read it and for those children whose parents will allow them to. If you take Harry Potter (or any other book) out of the classroom because Sally's mom doesn't want her to read it, then you are punishing the rest of the class as well. Parents and children have their rights. Parents have the right to say what they want their children exposed to and children have the right to read what they want to. You can't make everyone happy but i do believe that the majority of parents and children can be satisfied. Find out what your parents want and know what children can read what books. It is your job as the teacher to know your children and their parents. It is more difficult than getting rid of the book all together but then you are robbing children of an educational opportunity.
Write and post a detailed reflection about the book and the issue of censorship. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a great fantasy book. Harry is a young boy who lives with his aunt and uncle because his parents were killed. This is a fact of life. You may have some children who lose one or both of their parents just as Harry did. Harry receives letters from Hogwarts school of wizardry. His uncle is mad and takes the family to a lighthouse to stay. Hagrid comes to get Harry on his birthday to take him to Hogwarts. Harry meets two soon to be best firends and Draco. Every child has their best friends and those who they don't get along with. Throughout the book Harry encounters problems at school and with Draco. He learns how to use his magic and how to control it. There are adult enemies and those like Hagrid that Harry looks up to. All through the book, there are senarios that children can relate to, other than the magic. Let to children know that magic is not real and let them use their imaginations when reading the book. "Make movies of great books, and then forbid children to see them." -from the article
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I totally agree with you about not punishing a whole group based on the beliefs on a few, but also being respectful of the opinions of that minority. It may take more work, but I think it's worth it...
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteI like how you point out that Harry Potter books deal with life. I think the books point out distinctly human characteristics. They show the success and failures of beloved characters in such a way that students can relate to them. Let's face it we don't live in a would full of perfect Polly's, so students need characters as role models that have shortfalls similar to their own. The world of Harry Potter may be high fantasy, but Harry, the person, is just as normal and fragile as any of us. That is the reason I enjoy the series so much.
I really like how you pointed out that kids will be able to relate to the characters for multiple reasons, such as Harry dealing with death, or Ron dealing with poverty. I think that it's important that children are able to relate to characters in a book because it may ultimately help them in situations that they are going through.
ReplyDeleteGreat Point. Harry Potter should be allowed for children who want to read it. Parents should have the right to say no if they do not want their child to read it. I think your opinion will create fairness in your classroom.
ReplyDeleteJessica - I think it is really great that you bring up the point of the kids relating to the characters. In my opinion, kids appreciate a book more when they can put themselves in the character's shoes. Maybe that is another reason why this series is so appealing.
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the fact that if you take this book out of the classroom you would be punishing the students from having an opportunity to read this great fantasy book. Yes, some parents will disagree with you because you allow this book to be in your classroom but it wouldn't be fair to take the book out of the classroom just for that reason. I also enjoyed how you mentioned all the real life scenarios in the book that a child could relate with. If paretns would put aside the magic thats in the book they would see this as well.