Subjects: Contemporary

Discusses censorship from diverse viewpoints: authors, students, educators and the community at large. Common bases of censorship such as sex, politics, religion, language, and stereotyping are examined, and the Studio Class debates these issues from both pro-censorship and anti-censorship points of view. A Librarian at the Chicago Public Library gives her opinion, and the author’s viewpoint is presented through interviews with Lois Lowry, Judy Blume, Walter Dean Myers, and Paul Zindel.

Explores the ways in which teachers can authenticate the use of censored books in the classroom. Topics of discussion include the importance of keeping up-to-date on a book’s censorship status, some reasons why teachers may want to use a banned book and the ways in which parents and community organizations can help teachers change public attitudes about banned books. The 100 most frequently-challenged books are listed in the Study Guide.

Discusses Language Arts as a tool for helping students cope with and overcome social pressures. The Studio Class engages in a philosophical discussion on the goals of education. The theme of the class centers on the need for educators to “…break down barriers, overcome obstacles, and open doors and minds and possibilities”. The ways in which the study of literature can aid in this mandate are debated. Studio Guest: Dr. William Ayers, Professor of Education (University of Illinois – Chicago).

Explores criteria for evaluating Realistic and Problem novels. The lesson shows how these novels can provide powerful coming-of-age tales for teens making a treacherous journey from childhood to adulthood. The Studio Class discusses the challenges of using this genre in the classroom, which tends to depict harsh realities, use colloquial language, and address delicate issues. Videotaped inserts include two Readers’ Theater presentations: “The Chocolate War” and “Teacup Full of Roses”. Studio Guest: Dr. William Ayers, Professor of Education (University of Illinois – Chicago).

Discusses multicultural influences on young adult literature. The Studio Class learns “10 Quick Ways to Spot Racism and Sexism” in a children’s book and discusses how some books may culturally misrepresent diverse American communities. Discussion also touches on how stereotyping and misrepresentation affects students’ perception of diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Studio Guest: Alfred L. Woods, published author and poet (University of Illinois – Champaign).

Examines the growing interrelationship of mass media. Videotaped inserts demonstrate the current student attitudes on books, movies, computers and the Internet. The Studio Class discusses the powers and limitation of young adult literature. The series closes with a discussion on classrooms as a “space to begin to make those socially responsible, political, and economic decisions that concern all our lives as we move though the 21st century.”

Outlines two diverse ways to analyze the suitability of a literary work. Students learn to examine the merits of a work on two different levels – by category and by “essential literary elements”. Discussion explores the various categories of literature available, and defines the structural elements of literary works targeted to young adults.

Examines the appeal of many of the most popular young adult books. Students are given an in-depth description of the merits of 100 books popular with middle and high school students. The class also includes a bibliography of “must reads” by African American authors recommended by the NCTE Black Caucus. Studio Guest: Dr. Diana Mitchell, Teacher and past president of ALAN (Assembly for Literature of the Adolescent – National Council of Teachers of English).

Encourages a fact-finding trip to the local public library. The viewing audience is challenged to document the young adult offerings at their local community library. The Study Guide directs the viewing student to find out about the annual circulation of books among young adults at the public library, discover the range of programs designed for them at the library, and request advice from the Librarian as to how teachers might create or enhance their own classroom library to better serve their age group. Studio Guest: Dr. Diana Mitchell, Teacher and past president of ALAN (Assembly for Literature of the Adolescent – National Council of Teachers of English).

Explores over thirty popular themes for related Language Arts units. The concepts of “Single Issue Study” and “Thematic Units” are discussed. Students are guided in finding multiple diverse ways of helping young adult readers connect to the material and find ways to make sense of the their world. The importance of student-driven input, discovery, and response is emphasized.