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1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, IA 50613
“Materials used in the English classrooms are selected for their literary merit, meeting of curriculum goals and student interest. In fairness, a novel and other literature should be judged in its entirety.”
—Judy Timmins
English Department Director
http://www.cedar-falls.k12.ia.us
Brain Buster The shopping aisles filled with soduko puzzle products show that this brain teasing Japanese number game may well be one of the hottest games this season. For details about the craze,
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Volume 47 Edition 11
Kirstin Riggs Photo
Relient K
Mark Schultz
Building 429
Haste the Day
Thousand Foof Krutch
Alli Rogers
Reading the criticized novel What’s Eating Gilbert Grapes after its expulsion from an Iowa High School is English teacher Jennifer Paulsen.
Staff react to Gilbert Grape controversy Torie Jochims Staff Writer
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, a critically acclaimed novel set in Iowa and written by Iowan author Peter Hedges, has been making national headlines lately. The book, which is taught in English teacher Jennifer Paulsen’s modern literature class, was recently yanked from the English classes of Carroll High School in Carroll, Iowa. Carroll’s superintendent Rob Cordes pulled the book after reading only the controversial sexual passage. “I think the superintendent made a mistake in not reading the entire book before pulling it,” Paulsen said. Paulsen’s modern literature class had read the book before the Carroll incident took place. Paulsen said that there is a higher capacity for controversy when a book is taught in the classroom as opposed to a material available for checkout in the library. According to her, the story has deeper themes to be explored other than the brief, yet blunt, sexual passage. She said the themes, symbolism and messages the students can take away from it outweigh the small sexual portion. Paulsen said that ignoring that part of the novel wasn’t an option, especially since it consists of something that is an inevitable part of growing up. “One parent held up the book to Penthouse magazine and said they were the same,” Paulsen said of a point of controversy at a meeting on the book at Carroll. Paulsen said that it was obvious the parent was not familiar with either pieces because the two were incomparable. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is not a banned book at Cedar Falls High School, and Paulsen
said that she would absolutely continue to use the book as part of her curriculum. “It had a strong impact on me,” she said. Carroll had been teaching the book for four or five years before it was pulled. “I don’t recall ever hearing of it being challenged [anywhere],” Paulsen said. At Cedar Falls High School, the books that are a part of the curriculum go through a review process before they are approved. The review process has the main objective of implementing, enriching and supporting the instructional program. General selection criteria used in the review process includes educational significance, validity, contribution to the subject matter, the interests of students and staff, reviews and recommendations, examination of the material by professional personnel, reputation of the author, publisher, etc. Judy Timmins, head of the English department, is also responsible for approving materials before they are allowed into the curriculum. “Materials used in the English classrooms are selected for their literary merit, meeting of curriculum goals and student interest. In fairness, a novel, and other literature, should be judged in its entirety,” Timmins said. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape made it through the review process at Cedar Falls High School and came to Paulsen highly recommended. Paulsen said that a few students were uncomfortable with the questioned aspect of the book, but the majority really enjoyed it. She said all the students took away much more from the book than those few passages. Among other reasons, Paulsen chose What’s eating Gilbert Grape because of its main theme of tolerance and intolerance.
33-hour concert coming Dec. 29 Ellen Wrede Staff Writer
So you’ve seen the ads, you’ve seen the articles and you’ve seen the billboards, but you’re still wondering: What is Onefest really about? “The biggest reason that we do it is because Jesus prayed for oneness. My goal is that churches won’t be criticizing each other, but come together and understand the message of Christ better,” Onefest director Walt Rogers said. And they most certainly have done that. Last year they brought together some of the biggest names in Christian music under one roof at the UNI Dome. For its second year anniversary, Onefest has undergone a makeover and is now stretching its time limit by nine extra hours. As opposed to last year’s music from 1 p.m. to 1 p.m., the concert now lasts from 1p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, and ends at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30. It also features a family-friendly day with artists like Bibleman and 321 Improv. Just like last year, there is going to be a major
sponsor at the festival. This year features Food for the Hungry, similar to last year’s sponsor, Compassion. “Our goal is to get people to think of poverty and hunger around the world and how they can actually do something about it by sponsoring a child,” Rogers said. This year they are also hoping to feature a live ultrasound on stage “for people to know about the growth of the baby in a mother’s womb, and how cool life is,” Rogers said. Some returning artists include Stellar Kart, Alli Rogers, Ben Glenn and Leven. “I think we have a broader line up this year. More diverse musical interests,” Rogers said. The headliner this year is Relient K. “I’m excited because Relient K is going to be there, and they have really good music, and it was fun last year. It’s really cool to see all the Christians there in one place,” sophomore Natalie Oehler said. Tickets are on sale at the Onefest office which can be purchased through calling 319-266-9796 and at the UNI Dome. To find a complete list of ticket sales and bands, visit www.onefest.org.