Fahrenheit 451
the novel, censorship, and book-burning
Page 1
Introduction
Task
Resources
Process
Evaluation #1
Evaluation #2
Conclusion
Standards
Citations
Teacher Notes
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“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a
culture. Just get people to stop reading
them.”
-Ray Bradbury
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Introduction
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Welcome to the Fahrenheit 451
WebQuest! Our adventure begins after
reading Ray Bradbury’s 1953 novel
warning of the dangers of censorship.
Ironically, this novel has been banned and
even edited since its publication. We’ll
follow this quest to learn more about the
history of censorship, book-banning, and
even book-burning.
Before you begin, Take a censorship
quiz to learn more about it.
Click here to go to KIDSPEAK.ORG!
Take the “Censorship IQ” quiz and explore the site.
Task
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As you follow the WebQuest, you’ll be
gathering information to support a
position, either for or against censorship.
You will be given a role to play during this
discussion and will be responsible for
collecting and presenting information to
support your position in panel discussion
form. You will also be submitting a written
summary of what you learned and your
personal position. The process screen will
get you started!
Resources
Websites (imbedded in quest)
 Notetaking materials
 Computers
 The novel, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray
Bradbury
 Individual interviews
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Back to Process
Process
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After being assigned your role, click on the name of your
role to follow the links.
Within your assigned role, determine what information
will be useful for you to support your position in a panel
discussion. Make notes about that information and be
sure to keep a list of sources. You may use other reliable
sources as well.
This WebQuest will take one school week: 2 days for
introduction and research, 2 days for preparation and
summary writing, and 1 day for the panel discussion.
Roles: teacher, student, parent, school board member,
Ray Bradbury
Role #1 : The Teacher
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You are a teacher who believes strongly that books should NOT be
banned. You think that your students are capable of making choices and
determining what is and is not appropriate (with their parents help).
Scour the following websites to gain information to support your position
during the panel discussion.
Sources:
A definition of censorship
A list of banned books
History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda
Nazi book-burning picture
American Library Association
The author’s website
Censorship throughout the ages
More on banned children’s books- This site has many links to explore.
Back to Process
Role #2 The Student
You are a student (big stretch, huh?). You believe that
8th grade students are NOT mature enough to handle
certain books, especially, Fahrenheit 451. You will
defend this position in a panel discussion after
researching the history of censorship and book banning.
In addition to the novel, use the following resources:
A definition of censorship
- A list of banned books
- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda
- Nazi book-burning picture
- American Library Association
- The author’s website
- Censorship throughout the ages
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More on banned children’s books- This site has many links to explore.
Back to Process
Role #3 The Parent
You are a parent of an 8th grader. You may determine
your position ( for or against banning the book) after
conducting your research. You will defend your position
in a panel discussion.
 Resources other than the novel
- A definition of censorship
- A list of banned books
- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda
- Nazi book-burning picture
- American Library Association
- The author’s website
Back to Process
- Censorship throughout the ages
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More on banned children’s books- this site has many links to explore
Role #4 The School Board Member
You are a school board member. Your duty is to act on
the behalf of what is best for the students of your
community. After researching the sources, form a
position, but be prepared to keep an open mind during
the discussion.
 Resources other than the novel:
- A definition of censorship
- A list of banned books
- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda
- Nazi book-burning picture
Back to Process
- American Library Association
- The author’s website
- Censorship throughout the ages
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More on banned children’s books- This site has many links to explore.
Role #5 Ray Bradbury
You are the author. Obviously, you are against
censorship. You are defending your book as well as all
literature in the panel discussion. Use the sources below
to educate yourself on censorship as well as his opinions
on it.
 Resources other than the novel:
- A definition of censorship
- A list of banned books
- History/Nazi book-burnings and propaganda
Back to Process
- Nazi book-burning picture
- American Library Association
- The author’s website
- Censorship throughout the ages
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- More on banned children’s books- This site has many links to explore.
Evaluation #1 The Panel
Discussion
In the panel discussion, each participant will:
1. State his or her role and position clearly 5 points
2. Have support material to back up opinions
(documented) 15 points
3. Participate equally, question fairly, and listen
actively 20 points
4. Remain professional and respectful within the
role 10 points
50 point total
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Back to
task
Evaluation #2
The Summary
In a one page essay, you will:
1. Summarize what you learned about
censorship. 20 pts
2. Support your personal (not the role you
were assigned) position on the banning of
books. 20 points
3. Use standard MLA format (typed, double
spaced) 10 points
Back to Task
50 point total
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Conclusion
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Congratulations, you have learned more
about censorship and book banning. You
should be able to defend your position
well using the information you collected
through this WebQuest. Feel free to
explore other resources or options to
prepare your summary and your panel
discussion notes.
Standards
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This WebQuest addresses the following Georgia
Performance Standards in Language Arts
ELA9RL3 The student deepens understanding of literary works by relating them to
contemporary context or historical background.
ELA9RC4 The student establishes a context for information acquired by reading across
subject areas.
ELA9W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing.
ELA9LSV1 The student participates in student-to-teacher, student-to-student, and
group verbal interactions.
ELA9LSV2 The student formulates reasoned judgments about written and oral
communication in various media genres. The student delivers focused, coherent,
and polished presentations that convey a clear and distinct perspective, demonstrate
solid reasoning, and combine traditional rhetorical strategies of narration,
exposition, persuasion, and description.
Click here to see technology standards
The following are Georgia Performance Standards
for Technology:
ELA9W3 The student uses research and
technology to support writing.
Click here to see library standards
Teacher Notes
This WebQuest should be conducted after the
reading of the novel, Fahrenheit 451, so that the
students can use the text as support for their
individual arguments.
 The teacher should act as the panel discussion
mediator by presenting the topic (Should
Fahrenheit 451 be banned?), facilitating equal
discussion, and asking prompting questions of
each member.
 Simply conducting a search on censorship and
children will produce many useful sites.
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Citations
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American Library Association (2008).
http://ala.org/ala/oif.basics/Default2272.cfm
Bradbury, Ray. (1953). Fahrenheit 451. New York:
Balentine Books.
Kennedy, Elizabeth. Banning and censorship of children’s books: Banned
books the who and why. About.com: Children’s books. Retrieved July
31, 2008, from
http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/censorship/a/censorship.htm
Newth, Mette. (2001). The long history of censorship. Beacon for freedom
of expression. Retrieved 31 July, 2008, from
http://beaconforfreedom.org/about_project/history.html
Ockerbloom, John M. (1993). Banned books online: unfit for schools and
minors? The Online books page. Retrieved July 31, 2008 from,
www.onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu
What is censorship? Global Internet Literacy Campaign, Retrieved July 31,
2008, from http://gilc.org/speech/osistudy/censorship\