These classroom activities provide hands-on learning experiences about banned books and the freedom to read. Each activity includes clear instructions, materials lists, and suggestions for adaptation across different grade levels.
Activities can be used during Banned Books Week, incorporated into ELA curriculum, or adapted for library programs. Select and modify activities based on your students' needs and your community context.
Research Projects
In-depth research activities that develop critical thinking and information literacy skills while exploring book banning history and impact.
Banned Book Biography
Research ProjectAll Grades
1-2 weeks
Students research the history of a banned or challenged book, exploring why it was banned, who challenged it, and what happened as a result.
Materials Needed
- List of frequently challenged books (ALA Banned Books list)
- Library and internet access for research
- Biography template or graphic organizer
- Presentation materials (poster board, slides, etc.)
Instructions
- Have students select a banned or challenged book that interests them.
- Students research: publication date, author background, plot summary, and literary significance.
- Investigate the challenge history: When and where was it challenged? What reasons were given? What was the outcome?
- Students create a "biography" of the book including a timeline of challenges and the book's cultural impact.
- Present findings to class through posters, presentations, or a gallery walk.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Elementary: Focus on picture books and create illustrated timelines.
- Middle School: Compare how the same book was treated in different communities.
- High School: Analyze primary sources from book challenges and write argumentative essays.
Censorship Around the World
Research ProjectHigh School
1-2 weeks
Students investigate book censorship in different countries and historical periods, comparing approaches to intellectual freedom globally.
Materials Needed
- World map for tracking research
- Research guides on international censorship
- Access to news sources and historical databases
- Comparison chart templates
Instructions
- Assign or let students choose a country or historical period to research.
- Students investigate: What books have been banned? What are the legal frameworks? How do citizens respond?
- Create profiles of censorship practices including examples and consequences.
- Compare findings with current US book challenges.
- Facilitate class discussion on patterns and differences in censorship globally.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Create an interactive digital map showing censorship around the world.
- Interview immigrants or international students about their experiences with book access.
- Research organizations working for intellectual freedom internationally.
Creative Writing
Writing activities that encourage personal expression and empathy while engaging with themes from challenged literature.
Letters to Banned Authors
Creative WritingAll Grades
1-2 class periods
Students write letters to authors of banned books, expressing their thoughts about the book and its impact.
Materials Needed
- List of banned book authors with context
- Letter-writing templates (formal letter format)
- Information about authors and their books
- Envelopes and stamps (optional, for mailing)
Instructions
- Introduce the concept of writing to authors and discuss appropriate letter content.
- Students select an author of a banned book (living or historical).
- Research the book and why it was challenged.
- Write a letter sharing personal reactions, questions, or appreciation for the author's work.
- Share letters in small groups or post on a class display.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Elementary: Write thank-you cards to authors of picture books.
- If authors are living and accessible, consider actually mailing letters.
- Create a class anthology of letters to share with the school library.
Rewrite the Ending
Creative WritingMiddle School
2-3 class periods
Students explore how censorship changes stories by rewriting passages from challenged books to be 'acceptable,' then reflecting on what is lost.
Materials Needed
- Age-appropriate excerpts from challenged books
- Writing journals or paper
- Discussion guides for reflection
Instructions
- Read an excerpt from a challenged book as a class.
- Discuss why this particular passage might have been objected to.
- Challenge students to rewrite the passage to remove the "objectionable" content while keeping the story intact.
- Compare original and revised versions. What is different? What is lost?
- Reflect: How does censorship change the story's meaning, impact, or authenticity?
Extensions & Adaptations
- Compare actual censored versions of books (like modified fairy tales) with originals.
- Write about a time when not being able to say something fully changed its meaning.
- Research how authors have responded to pressure to change their work.
Freedom to Read Poetry
Creative WritingAll Grades
1-2 class periods
Students create original poems about intellectual freedom, censorship, or the power of books.
Materials Needed
- Examples of poems about books and reading
- Poetry form guides (haiku, free verse, acrostic, etc.)
- Copies of quotes about intellectual freedom for inspiration
- Art supplies for illustrated poems (optional)
Instructions
- Share examples of poems about books, reading, and freedom of expression.
- Discuss poetic devices and forms appropriate for your grade level.
- Brainstorm themes: Why do books matter? What does freedom to read mean? How does censorship feel?
- Students write original poems using a form of their choice.
- Create a class poetry anthology or host a poetry reading.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Elementary: Create acrostic poems using words like FREEDOM or BOOKS.
- Illustrate poems and create a hallway display.
- Record students reading their poems for a podcast or video.
Discussion & Debate
Structured activities that build communication skills while exploring multiple perspectives on intellectual freedom.
Mock Library Review Committee
Discussion/DebateHigh School
2-3 class periods
Students role-play as members of a library review committee deciding whether to keep or remove a challenged book.
Materials Needed
- Case study of a real book challenge (with context)
- Role cards for different stakeholders
- Sample library review policies
- Evaluation rubric for the committee
- Copies of relevant excerpts from the challenged book
Instructions
- Introduce the concept of library review committees and how they work.
- Present a real book challenge case with background information.
- Assign roles: librarian, parent who filed challenge, parent who supports the book, teacher, student, school board member.
- Give preparation time for each role to develop arguments.
- Conduct a formal committee meeting with presentations and discussion.
- Committee votes and explains reasoning. Debrief as a class.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Research your school or public library's actual review policy.
- Invite a librarian to speak about how they handle challenges.
- Write reflection essays on how the experience changed perspectives.
Four Corners Debate
Discussion/DebateMiddle School
30-45 minutes
Students physically move to corners of the room representing their opinion on statements about book banning, then discuss their positions.
Materials Needed
- Signs for each corner: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree
- List of provocative but appropriate statements about book access
- Discussion guidelines for respectful debate
Instructions
- Post signs in four corners of the room.
- Read a statement aloud (e.g., "Parents should be able to decide what books are available in school libraries").
- Students move to the corner that represents their opinion.
- In corners, students discuss why they chose that position.
- Representatives from each corner share their reasoning.
- Students may switch corners if convinced. Repeat with new statements.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Have students write their own statements for the activity.
- Track how opinions shift throughout the activity and discuss why.
- Follow up with written reflection on the most challenging statement.
Art Projects
Visual and hands-on creative projects that allow students to express their understanding of intellectual freedom through art.
Banned Book Cover Redesign
Art ProjectAll Grades
2-3 class periods
Students redesign the cover of a banned book to highlight its themes and why it matters, creating advocacy art.
Materials Needed
- List of banned books with summaries
- Examples of book cover design
- Art supplies: paper, markers, colored pencils, paint
- Optional: Digital design tools
Instructions
- Discuss elements of effective book cover design.
- Students select a banned book and research its themes and why it was challenged.
- Brainstorm visual concepts that represent the book's importance.
- Create a new cover design that advocates for the book's right to be read.
- Include a written artist statement explaining design choices.
- Display covers in a gallery format with artist statements.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Elementary: Create simple illustrations of why books are important.
- Create a digital gallery to share with the school community.
- Design a full marketing campaign for a banned book.
Freedom to Read Mural
Art ProjectAll Grades
1-2 weeks (ongoing)
Collaborative class project creating a large-scale mural celebrating intellectual freedom and diverse literature.
Materials Needed
- Large paper or bulletin board space
- Various art supplies: paint, markers, collage materials
- Printed quotes about reading and intellectual freedom
- Images of banned book covers for inspiration
Instructions
- As a class, brainstorm themes and images for a freedom to read mural.
- Divide the mural into sections, with individuals or groups responsible for each.
- Incorporate: book covers, quotes, symbols of freedom, diverse readers, etc.
- Work on sections over multiple class periods.
- Display completed mural prominently in the school.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Include QR codes linking to more information about featured books.
- Create a digital version to share online.
- Document the process and create a time-lapse video.
Group Activities
Collaborative activities that build teamwork while engaging with intellectual freedom concepts.
Banned Books Escape Room
Group ActivityMiddle School
45-60 minutes
Students work in teams to solve puzzles related to banned books and intellectual freedom to 'escape' and save the books from being banned.
Materials Needed
- Puzzle materials: locks, clue cards, hidden messages
- Banned book trivia questions
- Quotes from challenged books for decoding activities
- Timer or countdown display
Instructions
- Set up the room with puzzles that require banned book knowledge to solve.
- Create a narrative: "The books are about to be removed! Solve the puzzles to save them."
- Include puzzles like: matching books to reasons they were challenged, decoding quotes, ordering a censorship timeline.
- Divide class into teams with separate puzzle sets or competing on the same room.
- Teams work together to solve all puzzles within the time limit.
- Debrief: Discuss what they learned about banned books through the puzzles.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Have students create their own escape room puzzles for another class.
- Add a research component where students find information to solve puzzles.
- Create a digital escape room version for remote learning.
Book Access Audit
Group ActivityHigh School
1-2 weeks
Students conduct a real audit of book accessibility in their school or community, investigating what books are available and what might be missing.
Materials Needed
- Survey templates
- Interview question guides
- Spreadsheet for data collection
- ALA diverse books lists for comparison
Instructions
- Discuss what makes a library collection diverse and inclusive.
- Divide class into research teams with different focus areas.
- Teams audit: school library holdings, classroom libraries, public library access, bookstore availability.
- Compare findings to recommended diverse books lists.
- Analyze: What perspectives are well-represented? What might be missing? Are any frequently challenged books unavailable?
- Create recommendations report to share with librarians or administrators.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Present findings to the school board or library committee.
- Organize a book drive to fill identified gaps.
- Create a "recommended reads" display featuring underrepresented voices.
Banned Books Week Planning Committee
Group ActivityAll Grades
2-4 weeks
Students plan and execute Banned Books Week activities for their school or class, taking ownership of advocacy.
Materials Needed
- Event planning templates
- Budget worksheet (if applicable)
- Publicity materials
- Access to school communication channels
Instructions
- Form a student planning committee with defined roles.
- Research past Banned Books Week activities for inspiration.
- Brainstorm and select activities appropriate for your school.
- Create a timeline and assign responsibilities.
- Design publicity materials and promote the events.
- Execute the planned activities during Banned Books Week.
- Reflect on what worked and document for future years.
Extensions & Adaptations
- Partner with the school library or local public library.
- Include community members or local authors in events.
- Create a how-to guide for future classes to continue the tradition.
Tips for Successful Activities
- 1Preview all materials. Read or view any banned book content before sharing with students to ensure age-appropriateness.
- 2Create a safe space. Establish norms for respectful discussion before beginning activities that involve debate or personal opinions.
- 3Adapt for your context. Modify activities based on grade level, time available, and your community's needs.
- 4Connect to curriculum. Link activities to ELA standards for research, writing, speaking, and listening.
- 5Celebrate student work. Display projects, share writing, and acknowledge student efforts to make learning meaningful.