ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Get Ready to Celebrate Banned Books Week
The last week of September is generally the time to celebrate Banned Books Week. Use this lesson plan from ReadWriteThink talk about censorship and why it is important to protect books.
Other
A Guide to Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
This site has A Complete Guide to the Supreme Court Decision for this Supreme Court case. It can be downloaded as a PDF file. The article explains many different aspects of the case, including What the Decision Says, What the Decision...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Amer.: Civil Liberties: Safeguarding Individual
Do you understand what happens when there are disputes over the interpretation and protection of civil liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights? When do the rights of the individual trump the perceived needs of society, and when do...
C-SPAN
C Span Classroom: Teaching About Fcc v. Fox
C-Span learning module asks students to examine the question of whether or not the U.S. government, FCC, has the right to ban indecency on TV. Comprehensive resources including lesson plan, background video, moot court materials, FCC v...
Other
Electronic Frontier Foundation
This resource is devoted to protecting digital rights through the expertise of lawyers, policy analysts, activists, and technologists and the website contains press releases, court cases and an action center.
Virginia Tech
The Alan Review: A Bridge Too Far but Why?
If you've wondered why Paterson's "Bridge to Terabithia" is frequently on the banned book lists, this article offers some possible explanations.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Times Film Corp. V. City of Chicago (1961)
Read the majority opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court in Times Film Corp. v. City of Chicago, a 1961 case that focused on free speech and obscenity.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Joseph Burstyn, Inc. V. Wilson (1952)
This resource provides information about the Joseph Burstyn v. Wilson Supreme Court case.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Lesson Plan: Policing the Airways
This lesson plan looks at the current controversy of the FCC and making media outlets more accountable for what comes over their airways. In particular, the Super Bowl Halftime Show is discussed and looked at.
Boston College
Boston College: Joseph Burstyn, Inc. V. Wilson (1952)
Full-text edition of the entire decision in the Joseph Burstyn, Inc. v. Wilson case.
Other
Pacific Media Watch
This site is produced by an independent, non-profit, non-government organization comprising journalists, lawyers, editors and other media workers, dedicated to examining issues of ethics, accountability, censorship, media freedom and...
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
U.s. Holocaust Memorial Museum: America and Nazi Book Burning
A comprehensive history of the purification of Nazi Germany by burning objectionable books.
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: "Censorship: An Educator's Guide"
Activities, writing prompts, points of discussion and some additional resources are offered here to help with teaching about free speech and censorship.
Rick Beach
Teaching Literature to Adolescents, 2nd Edition: Activities
The textbook entitled Teaching Literature to Adolescents, 2nd Edition contains activities for Chapter 13 reflection. Intended for teachers, this site contains activities that will extend the content from the Chapter 13. This collection...
PBS
Pbs: Culture Shock: Huck Finn in Context
This site features information on themes from Huck Finn. You will find activities and discussion questions to accompany the different sections.
PBS
Pbs: Reporting America at War
Companion website to the PBS documentary that traces the role of media, journalists and photojournalists in reporting America at war.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Censorship in the Classroom
Online activity that challenges students to examine the past and present practice of censorship in the classroom, in particular the "Banned books," from high school curriculums. Students research reasons for censorship and choose a side...
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness to History: Loose Lips Sink Ships
This site discusses article discusses the rules of conduct regarding disclosure of personal and military information that may have compromised military efforts during World War II.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Judy Blume on Censorship
Famed children's author Judy Blume discusses censorship in this excerpt from Weekend Edition. Requires RealPlayer.
Read Works
Read Works: Book Battles
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not some books should be banned from school libraries. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Aclu: American Civil Liberties Union
Official home of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Learn about American news, what's going on with the Supreme Court and new legislation, and more at this online interest group.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: Mass Media and Censorship
This is a small collection of primary source documents discussing propaganda and media control in the Soviet Union. Most documents are from the 1970s and 80s, and they are varied in both type and source. In general, the documents discuss...
Other
Wired.com: The Age of Paine
An article from Wired Magazine describing Paine's use of the media to support the Revolution and comparing it to use of modern media such as TV, radio and the Internet.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Censorship: For the People or for Controlling the People? By Mc Birney
Censorship has, and continues to be, a highly debated topic. Some people believe that in order to secure the safety of citizens, information should be closely censored. However, many other people believe that this is a violation of...