Case
Teaching Huckleberry Finn in the Deep South

A high school ELA teacher has just moved to southern Georgia from Dallas, Texas. As a teacher in Texas, she experienced a high level of diversity in her school, and the school practiced multiculturalism in every content area. Now she is teaching at a rural, 1-A school in the Deep South, and she has just received approval to teach Mark Twain's, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. What preparations should she make before teaching such a controversial, yet necessary, novel?

Posted on: 03/14/15 | Views: 1240
Solution #1
Top Solution
The reason that Huckleberry Finn is such a necessary educational novel is because of the lessons that can be learned from it. I would certainly provide background information on the time period of the book but I would also connect the issues of wealth distribution and racism to today. Be prepared to discuss likely stereotypes that will inevitably exist in the classroom. Play devil's advocate and present controversial topics from the perspective of the book. After all, Huck's character does not pass judgment but instead views the world exactly as it is and not how society believes it should be.

If was in this situation i would do this exactly

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Solution #2
I will admit it has been a long time since I read Huckleberry Finn, but I remember it centering around the issue of race quite a bit. Teaching in a not so diverse school I would suggest that before the students read this book they have mini history lesson on the time period of the book and discussion of issues from that time. If the students are educated on the time period and issues prior to reading the book then maybe some of the controversies within the book will not be a big deal. The teacher could even have one of the social studies teachers come in and give the lesson about the time period if they don't feel comfortable doing it.

I think the brief historical intro to this book is a great idea.

I currently teach ELA and we read two novels that are actually banned books in some areas - The Hobbit and The Giver. I teach in a rural town in Georgia and the residents are predominately southern Baptist religion. Both of these books have been questioned by parents along the way, and I have had students that were NOT able to read the books. Instead these students read another book independently. I do read another novel - The Breadwinner that takes place in the Middle East revolving around the Taliban and women's rights. I spend about 1 week before reading doing mini-lessons on the background of several events in the Middle East as well as human rights. I think that with students knowing the background and the time period students are more perceptive and acceptive to what is being read.

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Solution #3
I currently teach ELA and we read two novels that are actually banned books in some areas - The Hobbit and The Giver. I teach in a rural town in Georgia and the residents are predominately southern Baptist religion. Both of these books have been questioned by parents along the way, and I have had students that were NOT able to read the books. Instead these students read another book independently. I do read another novel - The Breadwinner that takes place in the Middle East revolving around the Taliban and women's rights. I spend about 1 week before reading doing mini-lessons on the background of several events in the Middle East as well as human rights. I think that with students knowing the background and the time period students are more perceptive and acceptive to what is being read.
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Solution #4
If I was in this teachers shoes I would first give the students a background story on this novel. I think the students will love it.
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Solution #5
Having pre-writes and different lessons teaching and educating the students about the time and circumstances could definitely be helpful.
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Solution #6
I think she should build up to the book by teaching things that were common during that time period and remind students that if anything bothers them that as a class or in private it can be discussed.
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Solution #7
She should make sure that is appropriately planned and that everyone in the class can understand and relate to it.
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Solution #8
Research and planning based on the novel's story line are crucial. I remember watching the movie in 7th grade. My school was located in the very southern tip of Georgia. The class consisted of 1/2 black students and 1/2 white students. The teacher did a very good job of explaining the importance of acceptance and respect. I believe this is a major aspect in teaching students awareness of other races and culturally different individuals.
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Solution #9
Send a note home asking parents if it is ok to go over this material.
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Solution #10
The teacher should be prepared to bring in background information along with actual skits or role-playing that showcase unfair treatment because of a certain factor.
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