Topic 7 DQ 1
Why is it important to protect students´ freedom to read and teachers´ freedom to teach challenged
texts? In what ways is faith sometimes at odds with students' and teachers´ rights to free speech? How
do you balance your faith and the rights of others in the classroom?
Greetings Mrs. McGuire and Class,
According to Butcher and Hinton, unfortunately, authors, educators, young people, and all persons who
value the freedom to read or to write whatever they wish often face the threat of censorship from
people who try to impose their value systems or set restrictions on what others can read or write (2014).
This speaks volumes. It is like saying that if someone does not like historical fiction, that it cannot be
taught in the classroom. This would be unfair to those who like to read or write historical fiction. It is
important that teachers can teacher their students’ different text because it help with their learning, of
course, but it broadens the horizon. They can learn things from different points of view and are able to
make different connections with the different characters or even the author. Faith is always challenged,
but I think one of the worst things is not allowing students to form their own opinions about their faith
and religion. I believe that when people say things regarding their faith or how they feel religiously, that
it is their freedom of speech and we live in a world where what we say is protecting under the First
Amendment. I learned a long time ago that people are not always going to believe in things the way you
do and that people are not going always have the same opinions as you do so it is best to allow yourself
to soak in everyone else’s thoughts, beliefs, and opinions. It is a good learning experience. Everyone
should be open minded. If they were, I believe we would have a world that is happier and stronger.
Topic 7 DQ 2
What are some common reasons for books to be challenged? If your high school class was reading one of
the books we covered in this class and the reading was challenged by a parent, what steps would you
follow to respond to that challenge?
Greetings Mrs. McGuire and Class,
Regarding Persepolis, I think parents would challenge the fact that Marjane was an Iranian girl. Things
such as the KKK, segregation, slaves, abortion, and religion are all topics parents would challenge. If a
parent would come to me with an issue about any of these things, I feel that I would definitely have to
keep my patience. It is important when discussing things like this and parents will more than likely be
“hot headed” so to speak if they are taking time to come to me about it. So, keeping my patience, and I
would try to remind the parent that it is a part of our history as a country. It is important for our children
to learn the challenges we faced as a nation and that it is things, they have to be made aware of due to it
being a part of our curriculum.
Why is it important to protect students´ freedom to read and teachers´ freedom to teach challenged
texts? In what ways is faith sometimes at odds with students' and teachers´ rights to free speech? How
do you balance your faith and the rights of others in the classroom?
Greetings Mrs. McGuire and Class,
According to Butcher and Hinton, unfortunately, authors, educators, young people, and all persons who
value the freedom to read or to write whatever they wish often face the threat of censorship from
people who try to impose their value systems or set restrictions on what others can read or write (2014).
This speaks volumes. It is like saying that if someone does not like historical fiction, that it cannot be
taught in the classroom. This would be unfair to those who like to read or write historical fiction. It is
important that teachers can teacher their students’ different text because it help with their learning, of
course, but it broadens the horizon. They can learn things from different points of view and are able to
make different connections with the different characters or even the author. Faith is always challenged,
but I think one of the worst things is not allowing students to form their own opinions about their faith
and religion. I believe that when people say things regarding their faith or how they feel religiously, that
it is their freedom of speech and we live in a world where what we say is protecting under the First
Amendment. I learned a long time ago that people are not always going to believe in things the way you
do and that people are not going always have the same opinions as you do so it is best to allow yourself
to soak in everyone else’s thoughts, beliefs, and opinions. It is a good learning experience. Everyone
should be open minded. If they were, I believe we would have a world that is happier and stronger.
Topic 7 DQ 2
What are some common reasons for books to be challenged? If your high school class was reading one of
the books we covered in this class and the reading was challenged by a parent, what steps would you
follow to respond to that challenge?
Greetings Mrs. McGuire and Class,
Regarding Persepolis, I think parents would challenge the fact that Marjane was an Iranian girl. Things
such as the KKK, segregation, slaves, abortion, and religion are all topics parents would challenge. If a
parent would come to me with an issue about any of these things, I feel that I would definitely have to
keep my patience. It is important when discussing things like this and parents will more than likely be
“hot headed” so to speak if they are taking time to come to me about it. So, keeping my patience, and I
would try to remind the parent that it is a part of our history as a country. It is important for our children
to learn the challenges we faced as a nation and that it is things, they have to be made aware of due to it
being a part of our curriculum.
