Get ready to celebrate Banned Books Week!

Students brainstorm reasons why certain books might have been banned and discuss common reasons why books are challenged.

Grades   7 – 12

Thomas Nast was born on this day in 1840.

Students explore free speech issues, search the newspaper or Internet to create a list of current events, and draw original political cartoons.

Grades   9 – 12

Scotland Yard was established this day in 1829.

Students explore the resources on the Scotland Yard website and compare the advice given to London's citizens to the advice available from the local police department.

Grades   9 – 12

Elie Wiesel was born on September 30, 1928.

Students compare and contrast two views of the Holocaust from different authors. Students may also research stories of other survivors who may or may not be published and create a presentation on this survivor.

Grades   7 – 12

TeenTober?!? Learn about this month-long celebration.

TeenTober is a nationwide celebration hosted by libraries every October and aims to celebrate teens, promote year-round teen services and the innovative ways teen services helps teens learn new skills, and fuel their passions in and outside the library.

Grades   5 – 12

Find favorite book picks in the Children's Choices.

Students create lists of their favorite books and then the class creates a "Top Picks" class booklist. Students can use the Book Cover Creator to create a book jacket for their favorite book.

Grades   K – 6

Get ready for National Bullying Prevention Month!

Students create a poster to enter into a poster contest that educates others about issues surrounding bullying.

Grades   1 – 12

Author Tim O'Brien was born on this day.

After reading O'Brien's story "A True War Story" from The Things They Carried, students choose a powerful event from their own lives and map it using the Timeline Tool. They then create a fictional version of this event.

Grades   9 – 12

Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1967.

After discussing a statement made by Thurgood Marshall, students consider each piece of the comment and create a K-W-L chart to begin an investigation with other resources.

Grades   7 – 12

Gwendolyn Brooks published Bronzeville Boys and Girls in 1956.

After students have read and discussed several poems from Brooks' collection, they create a poetry anthology for their own family, neighborhood, or classroom.

Grades   3 – 12

United States Congress officially adopted the position of Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry in 1985.

Students investigate the website of a past Poet Laureate's project and use it as a model to celebrate poetry that appeals most to them.

Grades   K – 12