Most Banned Books--Authors of Teen Lit, Kids Literature

Sept. 24 to Oct.1, 2012 celebrated the 30th anniversary of the ALA Banned Book Week. BBW celebrates authors who broke convention to write books about touchy subjects. Here are stats about most oft-censored children and teen authors and literature. Most of these statistics hold true for adult literature as well. Many of the most challenged books were made into movies and some are regularly used in high school curriculum. Have I whetted your curiosity? Click here to find out if your favorite author, book or book-to-movie is on the list. (Six of our family favorites are right on top!) Most Banned Books? Authors of Teen, Children's Literature

Free Printable Ancient Rome Lessons from Revenge of the Titans

Just in time for the release of "Revenge of the Titans" and to go with "Clash of the Titans" here are free printable lessons plans on ancient Rome. The study of Ancient Rome is an integral part of any curriculum, be it homeschool, parochial school or public school. Our heritage in the western world owes much to the ancient Romans. Ancient Rome gave us our roots in politics, philosophy, many sports as well as technology. Roman roads were forerunners to the modern highway. Ancient Roman aqueducts gave us the protocol for modern plumbing and irrigation. Roman military, warfare and weapons were precursors to modern warfare. All the romance languages stem from the ancient Roman language of Latin. The Roman empire stretched as far north and west as the British Isles. Read more at Free Printable Ancient Rome Lesson Plans, Activities 

20 Black History Month Book to Film Movies

During Black History month we need not only to explore the tragedies of Black American struggles, but celebrate the contributions to our society. Here are a list of literature based movies to explore. I've listed the movie, the companion book, biography or historical source. Here are 20 book to film selections for Black history. Read more...

"The Twilight Zone" Makes Great Sociology, Psychology Lesson Plans

You may know that "The Twilight Zone" was a killer thriller TV series. You may know that Rod Serling created The Twilight Zone, movie and comic series. You doubtless recognize the TZ theme song. Here are some  little known facts about the Twilight Zone. Read on...

Alfred Hitchcock Films for Psychology, Films In Literature and Film-Making Classes

My 'Frenzy' for Alfred Hitchcock Movie Memorabilia
Alfred Hitchcock reigns supreme as perfecter of the 'film noir' genre. Hitchcock isn't the only director to dabble in the dark "Psycho" drama, but he is "Notorious" for it. I have a predilection for Hitchcock memorabilia. A 'Frenzy' for it, if you will.
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'Fight Club' Author Chuck Paulaniuk

Author Chuck Palahniuk Fight Club, Survivor and Beyond
Chuck Palahniuk (Ukranian, pronounced 'paula nick') author of Fight Club, Survivor, Rant, Choke, Lullaby and other brief one-word book titles, has earned high marks in literary circles.
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Author Agatha Christie's 120th Birthday: Books and Movies

Agatha Christie 120th Birthday: Happy Birthday Dame of Detection and Delicious Death
Agatha Christie, DBE, CBE and dame of detective fiction was born on September 15, 1890. She would be 120 years old today. Outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare, author Agatha Christie's books on Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple enthrall mystery lovers.
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'Legend of the Guardians; the Owls of Ga'hoole' from Kathryn Lansky Book Series

Free Printable 'Legend of the Guardians- the Owls of Ga'hoole' Activities and Games
Guardians of Ga'Hoole is a series of books by Kathryn Lansky, depicting a group of fabled Owl warriors who guard Ga'Hoole. Legend of the Guardian opens September 24, 2010. Here are free printable Guardians of Ga'Hoole games and activities.
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Free Printable Legend of the Guardians; Owls of Gahoole Book and Movie Activities

Free Printable Legend of the Guardians- the Owls of Ga'hoole Activities and Games
Guardians of Ga'Hoole is a series of books by Kathryn Lansky, depicting a group of fabled Owl warriors who guard Ga'Hoole. Legend of the Guardian opens September 24, 2010. Here are free printable Guardians of Ga'Hoole games and activities.
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Best Movies Based on William Shakespeare Plays

Best Book-to-Movie Versions of William Shakespeare's Works
Just what makes the works William Shakespeare so popular, even after almost 500 years, will probably never be answered definitively. Shakespeare's works are outsold only by the Bible. Here are the best movie versions of Shakespeare.
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'Wicked' Book and Play Review

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West: Gregory Maguire Book Series
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995) Son of a Witch (2005) and A Lion Among Men (2008) are revisionist parallel novels by Gregory Maguire that explore the deeper, darker Wizard of Oz books.
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Movie Review: 'He's Just Not That Into You' Greg Behrendt

Dating and Relationships: He's Just Not that into You - Book and Movie ReviewWhen our oldest daughter was going through a traumatic relationship several years ago, a friend recommended that we read a book called He's Just Not That Into You (Greg Behrendt/ Liz Tuccillo). Odd title; great book, and now a movie.Read More

Literature-Based Films to Explore Black History Month in the Homeschool and Classroom

Literature-Based Movies to Celebrate Black History Month in Your Classroom
Over 20 top literature-based movies to share the struggles and the triumph of Black Americans. Includes book references and discussion questions. Also celebrates the Black American contribution to theater, movies and television.
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Percy Jackson and the Oympians: The Lightening Thief- Book and Movie Review

Book and Movie Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief
Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief, by Rick Riordan, will be out in theaters as Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief, February 12, 2010. Greek mythology lovers unite; this is a great read.
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Free Printable Spiderwick Classroom Activities from Book and Movie

Spiderwick Chronicles: Free Printable Coloring Pages, Lesson Plans and Online Games
Wonderful fantasy fun with Spiderwick Chronicles free printables and online games. Lesson plans for educators as well!
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Actors in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, last book in the Harry Potter series, will take two movies to tell and will premier in 2010 and 2011. Harry Potter movie casts have been superlative and the last two films are no exception.
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Harry Potter Actors OBE Nominations

Harry Potter Actor Award Nominations
Harry Potter, the wildly popular British book and movie series, is turning heads in many venues. Not the least of which is Buckingham Palace. When Queen Elizabeth II awards OBEs I want these Harry Potter actors to get one.
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Shakespeare: Educational Movies and Reader's Guide

DIY Guide: How to Read Shakespeare
If high school students were asked, 'Who would you most wish to see tortured?', William Shakespeare would top the list. English teachers love 16th century dialogue; English students don't. Here's a reader's guide to Shakespeare. Included are tips for movie and film suggestions to help students enjoy Shakespeare's stories.
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Vietnam Literature-based Films

Literature-Based Movies for Vietnam War History: Explore the Conflict Through Literature, Art and Film
Books and films to help students explore and connect with the Vietnam conflict. Not cheesy Hollywierd! Not simple shoot an slash thrillers! And not dull, dry history!
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Jazz Age American History Book Based Films

Literature Based Movies for 20th Century Economics and History Classes: The Jazz Age: Post WWI
Review of movies based on works of literature. Jazz Age stories that cover prohibition, roaring twenties, rise of black musicians, returning WWI vets, joblessness, flappers, War on Crime and J. Edgar Hoover, gangsters and more.
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