Introduction

AGENDA

Bell RingerWord Work

Senator ActivityPresentation of committee decision

Exit Slip

Fahrenheit 451 is often misinterpreted as being a book that criticizes censorship of books. However, Ray Bradbury’s own intent had a much broader reach.

Bradbury wrote the book because he was concerned that watching TV would replace reading. Bradbury has said, “People ask me to predict the future, when all I

want to do is prevent it.”

List 3 pieces of technology that you use on a daily basis.

Describe 2 ways in which technology effects your life everyday.

How would feel if your technology use was limited by the government?

BELL RINGER #6: (A) 4/25 & (B) 4/26

Filibustera fortioriGermane

Please find definitions for these 3 legal terms in the dictionary

WORD WORK

INTRODUCTORY NOTES

FAHRENHEIT 451BY: RAY BRADBURY

AUTHOR BACKGROUND: RAY BRADBURY

Born in Illinois in 1920Many of his stories have become

television episodes, especially The Twilight Zone and projects

by Alfred HitchcockHe and his wife still live in

California today

"I don't try to describe the future," Bradbury has often said.

"I try to prevent it."

• began as a short story

“The Fireman” - 1951

• expanded into a novel in 1953

• created the title after speaking with firemen

• a DYSTOPIA

UTOPIA VS. DYSTOPIA

Utopia – an imagined world that

represents a “perfect place”

Dystopia – an imagined world that represents a most imperfect place

typically a futuristic world

conditions caused by oppressive government or destructive events

CONTEXT

• 24th century

• Books viewed as dangerous and illegal

•No one may own books

• A government agency burns all found books

• Most people enjoy technology and think very little

Protagonist – Guy Montag

Starts fires rather than extinguishing them

If someone reports a neighbor owning books, the firemen respond to the call and burn the materials.

Most often, the firemen destroy the entire house, and sometimes, the owner decides to die with their books in the fire.

CENSORSHIP

Fahrenheit 451 discusses the dangers of censorship

Many places throughout the United States have at some point banned the book itself!

What type of IRONY does this represent?

CENSORSHIP, CONT.

Censorship - the practice of keeping material from being viewed by others because of objectionable or offensive

contents

What does it mean for a group to ban a book?

Someone found the material offensive and required that it not appear in libraries (especially schools!) and/or

bookstores.

SCENARIO

Imagine that you are a United States Senator who is currently serving on a

committee that is determining the future

laws regarding technology use for teenagers.

1) You will be divided into six groups.

2) Each group will receive a packet of information regarding a specific area of interest (Cell Phone use, Television, or Government control of information) and will be assigned a yes or no position on that area of interest.

3) After receiving the information packets, you will review and analyze the information and discuss what you already know about the situation.

4) You will work as a group to support your yes or no position with 10 pieces of information.

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

1- Should television usage be limited for teenagers and children?

2 – Should texting/cell phone usage be limited for teenagers and children?

3 – Should the United States Government have control over the Internet?

QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

Example:

Position – Cheeseburgers taste good.

1.The addition of cheese improves the taste of the burger.

2. Cheeseburgers consistently outsell other kinds of burgers in select restaurants.

3.In a blind taste test 33.5% of Americans preferred cheeseburgers.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

Each group will consist of:a scribe-- The scribe will record the group’s decisionsa presenter-- The presenter will present the class with the group’s proposala solicitor--The solicitor will ask questions during other groups’ presentations.

Each group will have 4-5 minutes to present their argument and to answer questions.

Only solicitors may ask questions.Only presenters may answer questions.Please be civil.

PRESENTATION

Write a short response to each groups decision.

1)Do you agree? Why? Or Why not?2)How you have solved the problem?

EXIT SLIP

Groups Your Response

Group 1 1.2.

Group 2 1.2.

Group 3 1.2.

ANTICIPATION GUIDE:

On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), rate the following opinions:

1.Laws are always written for the protection of the citizens.

2.Some books are evil and should be destroyed.

3.In a world filled with constant, 24-hour news, there are no true facts. (Things keep changing.)

4.If it was against the law to read books, I would break the law and read anyway.

5.It is impossible to be close friends with people who think differently than you.

6.If most people believe something, then it must be true, even if there is no proof.

7.Only those who are hired to protect society’s laws, such as police officers, should be allowed to own and use guns.

8.There are some things so important in life that they are worth risking your life for.

9.In today’s world, writers and artists are not as important to society as scientists and engineers.