So, remember how I said I was going to read Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick to my classes this last semester? Well, I still am, but I had to go through some crazy trouble to get here. I noticed that my para was spending so much time in the library talking to the librarian a few weeks ago, but I didn’t think anything of it because I didn’t have a reason to. Last week my CT comes up to me and tells me that she had received several calls from the librarian concerning the book I chose to read. “The book is too graphic for this age of kiddos,” the librarian told my CT. So I’m getting all stressed because I possibly have to come up with a whole new book to read along with all new activities, and because my mom bought a house and she wants to move in April, and I still have so many things to do before the end of April (KPTP, 1million papers, books to read, planning, etc. etc.) that I felt a bit overwhelmed so I went home and cried for a bit. L
Next day my
CT says, “You know, I was reading the book and I think its graphic, but it’s
not any different form the Holocaust, so I think we should still continue with
our plan. I think our kids will benefit from this story because it is so
relevant and it fits in so nicely with the recent activities that we have been
doing.” I almost gave her a hug, but I contained myself. We ended up taking it
to the principal, who approved it right away and we sent home a parent letter.
The para,
however, was appalled that we were actually going to read this with our kids so
she begins to talk to the other English teachers at the school and requests to
be taken out of our class and/or switched with another para. All of a sudden we’ve
got two three teachers coming up to us talking about this books and questioning
my professionalism and morals, so I challenged them to read it before they
trashed it. The para refused, but everyone else is currently reading it, and
they like it so far. There are some cuss words in it and it is graphic, but if
we have the okay from the parents and the okay from the principal, then I will
read it with my class and we will become better people because of it. If you haven’t
read it, I strongly encourage you to do so. It is a powerful book, and it is
worth every bit of bad vibe we got for it.
The following is a review of the book:
Wow! Still a student teacher, and you've already received your first book challenge! I'm glad your CT and the principal see the value in what you're doing. It's such a tricky thing to negotiate, because you know the para feels just as strongly as you do, but on the other end of the issue. You're both just doing what you believe is right. I haven't read the book, but I suspect I would come down on the same side you do. I'm all for getting into the big ideas and the tricky subjects, because that is where real learning and growth happen. Have you read _The Book Thief_? Your mention of the holocaust made me think of it. It's a powerful, affecting book.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to someone at school who used to sit on a committee for the district that dealt with book challenges. In the years this person was on the committee, they only met once. I'm glad it didn't come to that in your case.
I am so glad to hear that you stuck to your guns Denisse. I have heard of other horror stories with Para’s and you did the best thing for your student’s by fighting to teach that book. I have not read it, but I believe in your judgment and your CT and principal do too. You should also look at it this way; you may be opening other teachers to using this book in their classroom. I say spread the love and keep on fighting for what you believe in.
ReplyDeleteDenisse,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear you have the okay from the parents and the principal. I think some of the people who veto the book may have reservations because the nature of their students is not as mature as most of the population. On the other hand, I think it arrogant for a veto to happen when the issue their fighting against is blank and foreign to them. It's like saying, I will not eat cheese, but in reality they've been eating cheese in other food without realizing it. In saying this I mean they have undoubtedly read books or studied the Holocaust at some point in their life. You can't have a favorite of something until you try the not so good stuff first.
Keep pressing on Denisse, you are great!!