Process

1. As students walk into the classroom they will be given a colored note card (i.e. green, blue, purple, yellow, and red.) Each color will represent a different group. There will be five groups of four.


2. After reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone you will be an advocate to keep Harry Potter on the shelves in your school library. Each group member will take on a role of an acting citizen. The roles are:Librarian, Parent, Student, and Teacher/Principal


Librarian- As the school librarian you are responsible for all of the books that are on the shelves. You love seeing students read and the amount of students who read Harry Potter is remarkable. You are arguing the First Amendment Right and the freedom to read. Use the links below to research your argument.

Consider the following:

* Research facts about the First Amendment
* What does the First Amendment say about people's freedoms? How can you use this to defend the freedom to read?

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement.htm

http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=Dealing_with_Challenges&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11111
Parent- As a parent you want to know what your children are reading in the schools. You have read Harry Potter and see no reason why it should be taken out of the school library. You are arguing family education and getting students to read. Use the links below to research your arguments.

Consider the following:

* What is happening to this generation of readers?
* List some of the main supporters of Harry Potter and explain why this is important to your debate?

http://www.spectacle.org/0400/muggle.html

http://www.linkoregon.com/banned_books.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/library/books/040199potter-book.html


Student- As a student in the local school systems you want to have a say in what you read. You love the Harry Potter series and want to see it stay in the schools for future students and yourself. Use the links below to find evidence that children love to read Harry Potter and it should remain in the schools.

Consider the following:

* Why do students love to read Harry Potter?
* What are some comparisons of Harry Potter and some other well known books that are not on the 100 banned books list?

http://mugglenet.com/

http://connect.familyeducation.com/webx/webx.dll?13@@.ee7fd01/224


Teacher/Principal- As the teacher/Principal of this school you are also responsible for what the students are reading and bringing home. You see nothing wrong with the students reading Harry Potter and you would like for it to remain on the shelves. Use the links below to find evidence that there is nothing wrong with Harry Potter and it should remain in the schools.

Consider the following:

* What are some reasons for banning books and most importantly, Harry Potter?
* What are some of the opponent's arguments about why the book should be banned from schools?

http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin157.shtml

http://www.nytimes.com/library/books/110199harry-potter.html


3. After you have determined who will take on each role then begin your inquiry:
* Look at the web sites according to your role.
* Take notes as you go along using the note taking sheet provided below.
* Click here for the Note Taking Sheet


4. After you have researched your role:
* Look over the list of comments that Harry Potter protesters have made about Harry Potter.
* Develop a defense against the protesters.
* Click here for Harry Potter Comments


5. Get together with the rest of your group:
* Discuss your own findings.
* What have the other members of society found out about Harry Potter?
* Discuss the major points.
* Write down two main points from each person supporting to keep Harry Potter in the school library.


6. Create a poster board:
* Use the main points that you have discussed in your group.
* Be prepared to use this poster as a defense in front of the School Board Members which will decide whether or not to keep Harry Potter in the library.
* Have a list of possible defenses to what the board might say using the Comments sheet about Harry Potter.