Monday, February 23, 2009

Freedom

Agreeing with Tammie, having a young son myself, I also understand the importance of reading. Although you want to monitor what they read, you don't want to stifle the selection process. I choose to be nearby to discuss challenging issues together. Hopefully, through guided instruction he will learn to question topics to search for validity and morality. Knowledge is Power!

Danielle Beliveau Response to Freedom to Read

“Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of our society and leaves it the less able to deal with controversy and difference.” I like this quote, because it embodies my opinions about the harmful nature of censorship. When we, as educators, avoid situations, publications, and subject matter that may be controversial or challenged, we are weakening our students, and ourselves. This reminds me of the “watering down” of curriculum, and the assumptions that some people make that students are not intellectually or emotionally ready to take on more complex texts, that may contain points of view that are unlike our own, or may be considered unacceptable to some. If we, as teachers, are not willing to teach students to think critically, and to decide for themselves what to accept and reject as unacceptable, true, or untrue, how do we expect them to learn these skills? This document serves not only as justification of why we might provide materials in an unbiased fashion, but of the responsibility that we have to provide this service to our students.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Freedom...

Responding to the Freedom Act...wow! This is simple...we've been given freedom of speech, how are you proposing to take it back...trying to censorship at any level is always going to create a conflict. As a mother, I feel the best way to combat things out in the world is to focus on only what I can control. And since I have no control over what people say and do...I can only focus on being a steward over my child. I can instill great morals and value and hopefully he will be able to deceipher from good and bad!

Hello

I'm blogging...this is great!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Freedom to Read Statement Feb. 23rd

Please visit the following website list bellow, read each document, and post a response to the class in the comments section. This can include questions, thoughts, or suggestions for further inquiry. Post your response on or before Feb. 27th. 

*Remember to respond to at least one other person!


 ala.org (Search for the Freedom to Read Statement as well as the Freedom to Read Act)