In the Banned Book project, something I found difficult was the journals, specifically the last one. Using that Habits of Heart and Mind to fully analyze a quote from my book proved to be a little more challenging than just summarizing my book or explaining why I liked a specific quote. The easiest part of this project, however, would probably have been reading the book itself. I really enjoy reading so this made the project quite enjoyable.
When I was making my film to summarize my book I felt completely comfortable. After being given time in class to make a script and being able to ask my peers for help recording, there was really no reason to feel uncomfortable. I got a lot of feedback on my video from both my peers and my parent. I got advice on how to make it longer, shorter, and how to make it flow easier. All in all, I think this made my video short but to the point. I ended up with a 40 second video that covered the title, author, reading a passage, and when and where the book was banned/challenged.
Another thing I got and gave feedback on were the journals we kept throughout this project. During class we were given at least 30 minutes to critique and read each other’s journals about the book we were reading. This allowed us to take a break from whatever we reading and learn something about someone else’s book. I also really enjoyed this part of the project because I got to hear about a lot of different books. Leaving comments on each journal and asking questions also helped whoever was receiving the feedback and allowed them to explain what they read or go back and change whatever they misspelled or did wrong.
I chose to read The Lovely Bones, not only because it was a banned book, but also because it was a book I’d had for a long time and had attempted to read but couldn’t quite get through. Making it an assignment gave me the motivation to read it through and through and finally finish it. Finishing this book made me feel good because I had been struggling with it for so long. I think this book was one of those books you read once and you like but never read again. It was banned and/or challenged because of the explicit material and for the way it challenges some religious beliefs but neither of those bothered me per se, it just hits some heavy topics that I wouldn’t necessarily want to read in my spare time. I do think the author does an amazing job in capturing things that other authors would be too afraid to mention though.
I believe I deserve an A on this project because I completed all the things that were asked of the project. If I could change anything about this project I would probably make the due dates sooner. When we first started this project you were in charge of doing your own reading and finishing your own journals and it was completely individual but as the end of the project drew near, due dates were given and some people were scrambling around to finish their journals and reading last minute. I just feel like the journal critique sessions should’ve been spaced out a little bit more.
When I was making my film to summarize my book I felt completely comfortable. After being given time in class to make a script and being able to ask my peers for help recording, there was really no reason to feel uncomfortable. I got a lot of feedback on my video from both my peers and my parent. I got advice on how to make it longer, shorter, and how to make it flow easier. All in all, I think this made my video short but to the point. I ended up with a 40 second video that covered the title, author, reading a passage, and when and where the book was banned/challenged.
Another thing I got and gave feedback on were the journals we kept throughout this project. During class we were given at least 30 minutes to critique and read each other’s journals about the book we were reading. This allowed us to take a break from whatever we reading and learn something about someone else’s book. I also really enjoyed this part of the project because I got to hear about a lot of different books. Leaving comments on each journal and asking questions also helped whoever was receiving the feedback and allowed them to explain what they read or go back and change whatever they misspelled or did wrong.
I chose to read The Lovely Bones, not only because it was a banned book, but also because it was a book I’d had for a long time and had attempted to read but couldn’t quite get through. Making it an assignment gave me the motivation to read it through and through and finally finish it. Finishing this book made me feel good because I had been struggling with it for so long. I think this book was one of those books you read once and you like but never read again. It was banned and/or challenged because of the explicit material and for the way it challenges some religious beliefs but neither of those bothered me per se, it just hits some heavy topics that I wouldn’t necessarily want to read in my spare time. I do think the author does an amazing job in capturing things that other authors would be too afraid to mention though.
I believe I deserve an A on this project because I completed all the things that were asked of the project. If I could change anything about this project I would probably make the due dates sooner. When we first started this project you were in charge of doing your own reading and finishing your own journals and it was completely individual but as the end of the project drew near, due dates were given and some people were scrambling around to finish their journals and reading last minute. I just feel like the journal critique sessions should’ve been spaced out a little bit more.
Watch my 30 second banned book reading here!