Tag Archives: schools

Banned Books Awareness: “The Family Book”

Todd Parr has written over 30 children’s books, and he is the winner of two National Parenting Publication Awards, as well as three Oppenheim Gold Awards; but his The Family Book (preschool-grade 2; 2004) has stirred up some controversy. In a whimsical, engaging way, the daily lives of all kinds of families are depicted, celebrating their […] … learn more→

Banned Books Awareness: “Looking for Alaska”

The Tennessee legislature recently passed a bill stating that teachers cannot encourage “gateway sexual activity,” as part of the state\’s abstinence-based sexual education movement. Seizing the opportunity implied by the new law, officials in Sumner County last week banned John Green’s Young Adult novel “Looking for Alaska” from the school curriculum because it contains an […] … learn more→

Banned Books Awareness: “The Dirty Cowboy”

Last Thursday (4/19/2012), the Annville-Cleona School Board in Pennsylvania voted 8-0 to remove an award-winning children\’s book, The Dirty Cowboy, by Amy Timberlake, from its elementary schools after a student\’s parents objected to its illustrations. Board Vice President Gordon Waldhausen was absent, but President Tom Tshudy said, “We take review of this type of thing […] … learn more→

Banned Books Awareness: Revising history

Most people are familiar with the classic saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,\” uttered by George Santayana. He, himself, identified as an American and wrote exclusively in English, but the famous philosopher was born in Madrid and was a lifelong Spanish citizen even though he was raised and educated […] … learn more→

Banned Books Awareness: “Waterland”

Last week I reported that the Plymouth-Canton Schools in Michigan resolved a challenge to the book Beloved; but the same parents that objected to that title also have their torches aimed at another novel- Waterland, by Graham Swift. Matt Dame, along with his wife, Barb, complained that “Beloved” was inappropriate because of passages that deal […] … learn more→

Banned Books Awareness: “Stuck in the Middle”

The campaign against freedom doesn’t just limit itself to the literary classics of Shakespeare and Mark Twain. Works of fiction and non-fiction, both traditional and contemporary, are recurrent fodder for the flames. But did you know that even comic books are kindling for the fires of ignorance? Edited by comics icon Ariel Schrag, a 2007 […] … learn more→

Playing catch up: Should students repeat a grade at school?

Making students repeat a year when they’re not doing well socially or academically is not uncommon in Australia. About 8-10% of students repeat a grade at some point in school life. But there is a major assumption underlying the practice – it is thought that retaining students in a grade for an extra year provides […] … learn more→

Is Jewish life thriving on American campuses?

These days, college-bound students can get the “inside scoop” about schools from countless websites and guidebooks. Looking for a place with lots of outdoor adventure programs? One with the most active Greek life? Or perhaps one with vegan and gluten-free dining options? Options and opinions abound. For students in an ethnic or religious minority group, […] … learn more→