Dictionary ban in US schools January 25, 2010

Dictionaries have been removed from classrooms in southern California schools after a parent complained about a child reading the definition for “oral sex”.

Merriam Webster’s 10th edition (a “classic” among English dictionaries), which has been used for the past few years in fourth and fifth grade classrooms (for children aged nine to 10) in Menifee Union school district, has been pulled from shelves over fears that the “sexually graphic” entry is “just not age appropriate”, according to the area’s local paper.

Read more.

Book Banning December 29, 2009

Have a look at this blog here. There seem to be people out there discussing the same topics.

Freedom of Speech and Human Rights in China December 29, 2009

Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo was found guilty of subversion and sentenced to 11 years in jail on 26th December 2009 because he drafted Charter 08, which demands a greater freedom of expression and free elections.

For more information, read The Guardian.

You can find more recent articles on the freedom of speech in the Guardian .

Fun First Society and Mass Media December 21, 2009

In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury depicts a future society controlled by mass media. One of the top priorities of this society is to be entertained and to have fun.

TASKS
1 Find a definition for the term “mass media”.
2 Bradbury published his novel in 1953. Do you see any parallels between our society and that depicted in the novel?
3 What do you think about the dangers of mass media and the decline of the written word in our society?

PLEASE WRITE YOUR ANSWERS AS A COMMENT TO THIS POST! DON’T FORGET TO SIGN YOUR COMMENT.

Evolution vs Creation – the Simpsons December 21, 2009

The Simpsons at their best:

If you want to see Lisa being arrested for teaching non-biblical science (i.e. the theory of evolution) at school, check this out:

The Monkey Suit Trial

Censorship Today December 6, 2009

Hello everybody,

next lesson, I would like you to discuss certain aspects of censorship. The following tasks should help you to prepare yourselves for the discussion.

TASKS

1. Have a look at the “top ten most frequently challenged books” of the last years. You should also study  the “banned and challenged classics”. Which books and/or authors do you know? Use the following link:

   http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/index.cfm

2. There have been attempts to ban  J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books in classrooms and in school libraries. Find out the arguments for such a challenge. What could be arguments against a ban? You may use the following links:

   http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/censorship/a/banharry.htm

   http://www.speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1319b-1.html

   http://www.landoverbaptist.net/showthread.php?t=21782

   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1735623.stm

   http://www.infoplease.com/spot/banned-harry.html

   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15127464

3. Some people also think that the Twilight series should be banned. Have a look at the following links and make a list of arguments for and against such a ban.

   http://thesegolilypad.blogspot.com/2008/09/banning-twilight-series.html

   http://www.keepingthedoor.com/2009/09/13/australian-schools-ban-twilight-series/

   http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2009/09/14/schools-begin-banning-twilight/

4. There is a movement called “creationism” in the USA, which would like to ban the teaching of evolution from science curricula at schools.  Use the following links and make a list of arguments for and against such a ban.

   http://atheism.about.com/od/evolutionreligionreligious/a/EvolutionSchoolKansas.htmhttp://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_scientists_believe_in_the_Big_Bang_Theory

   http://www.newsweek.com/id/224079

   http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/columnists/laura-h-kahn/why-evolution-should-be-taught-public-schools

   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197348/Teach-primary-children-evolution-dont-mistake-Fred-Flintstone-scientific-fact.html

   http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_were_the_sources_of_evidence_Darwin_used_for_his_theory_of_evolution

   http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t46054.html

   http://www.askstudent.com/religion/evolution-shouldnt-be-taught-in-public-schools/