When your students read more words in texts, tweets, and posts than books each year, teaching Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury can be a daunting task -- what if they don't get it?
I'll tell you -- some won't, but for the most part, this novel can reveal to them why censorship is actually incredibly connected to their digital world. Here are some strategies and tips to ensure that your students understand the novel.
The first thing that is instantly digestible for these students is the length of the book. I'd like to think that Ray purposefully wrote a short book about this so no one would have an excuse to not read it! And we know that students are incredibly self-defeating at times, and when they see a long book, they instantly think it's an impossible task. This year, I'm giving my students all in class time to read, to make sure that they MAKE time. They'll have no excuses! Have them use this free resource while reading to keep track of the characters.
Secondly, incorporate history and pop culture into your unit. Students spend a couple of days before we start reading indulging in censorship throughout the years -- I focus on the Nazi book burnings (click here for a freebie), American court cases, and net neutrality. Students need to understand that this book has evolved from just being about reading - it's about eliminating everything in the world that makes us intelligent, unique, and POWERFUL! They should know that the government has done things like this before. (RISE UP, children!) I love when they have that realization of "ohhh hmmmm we're on our phones 24:7....maybe we shouldn't do that..." You have to make it relevant to them!!
Right now the best way to make it relevant is to watch the HBO movie. Be forewarned, it is NOT a remake. It is an interpretation. And I think it's a pretty good one!
My students only use the movie to help them boost their knowledge and understanding of the novel. They have to write a review, but I don't make them do a bunch of meaningless stuff! I want them to know that popular culture has brilliant movies out there that reimagine classic novels and ideas. I want to keep them interested the whole time! Sometimes, we just need to sit and think about something - not draw it out on paper.
PLEASE let me know what you thought of the movie in the comments! :)
The next way I keep them engaged is by doing a one-pager assignment. There are many students out there that want creative ways to display their understanding. One-pagers are a great way to do that. For this one, I very simply said "fill the page with important items and quotes" Some people have a lot more requirements, but I like to leave it up to their interpretation. Here are a few amazing student examples. Here is the template they used. I'd love to see other people recreate these in their classrooms. Please tag me on instagram! I also keep my students interested by analyzing the dystopian elements and seeing what Bradbury inadvertently predicted about society. He says he didn't plan on predicting, but I think he is so observant that he can practically tell the future! Click here for a resource on Dystopian Themes in the book.
Finally, keep your students focused by having a full conversation about the section after reading days (which I do recommend happen in class!). When I first read Fahrenheit, it was assigned as summer reading. The concept of TVs on the walls and firefighters burning books meant literally nothing to 15-year-old me who wanted to swim and hang out with my friends during the summer! It's incredibly important for your students to talk out what is happening in this novel. Don't leave them confused. Click here for reading questions for the novel. I know we get busy and we think they're "getting it" but sometimes we have to make time. For me, this is one book that I won't allow to be glossed over.
Now, I'm getting kind of emotional! I'm moving to 8th grade next year, and I won't be taking this book with me!! Wahhh. So please, tag me if you use my resources on this unit. I'll want to see that others have kept it alive.
--Amanda