CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For a few minutes Thursday, George Washington High School juniors waited patiently in a lecture hall for their teacher, Sallye Clark, to show up.

She appeared just before 11 a.m., and many of her Advanced Placement English students clapped cheerfully.

Clark, who is recovering from knee surgery, linked up with students through her cable Internet connection at home. She talked to students by using Skype, a service provider that linked Clark's Internet with students' cell phones.

With the connection set, Clark talked to students about their latest assignment, which is to read and research banned books.

Clark and other school officials said the technology offers a unique new way to connect teachers with students, and fits nicely with the state's push for 21st-century skills. 

She told students that many people have challenged books, hoping to restrict reader access. Still, Clark said those who challenge books often intend to protect their children or others from sexually explicit material, strong language or content that is not necessarily age appropriate.

Censorship for the sake of censorship is not usually their reason, she said, adding, "Most challenges

are unsuccessful."

Clark expected that students would be surprised at many of the books banned at some point in the United States.

"You're going to be amazed," she said, referring to a printed list of once-banned books. "A lot of those books you've read and love."

Classics such as "Lord of the Flies," "The Catcher in the Rye," "The Grapes of Wrath" and "To Kill A Mocking Bird" show up on the list.

A few Stephen King novels and the first four books in the Harry Potter series also appear. With parent permission, students also can read Pat Conroy's "The Prince of Tides," one of two Conroy books that stirred controversy at Nitro High School last year.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For a few minutes Thursday, George Washington High School juniors waited patiently in a lecture hall for their teacher, Sallye Clark, to show up.

She appeared just before 11 a.m., and many of her Advanced Placement English students clapped cheerfully.

Clark, who is recovering from knee surgery, linked up with students through her cable Internet connection at home. She talked to students by using Skype, a service provider that linked Clark's Internet with students' cell phones.

With the connection set, Clark talked to students about their latest assignment, which is to read and research banned books.

Clark and other school officials said the technology offers a unique new way to connect teachers with students, and fits nicely with the state's push for 21st-century skills. 

She told students that many people have challenged books, hoping to restrict reader access. Still, Clark said those who challenge books often intend to protect their children or others from sexually explicit material, strong language or content that is not necessarily age appropriate.

Censorship for the sake of censorship is not usually their reason, she said, adding, "Most challenges

are unsuccessful."

Clark expected that students would be surprised at many of the books banned at some point in the United States.

"You're going to be amazed," she said, referring to a printed list of once-banned books. "A lot of those books you've read and love."

Classics such as "Lord of the Flies," "The Catcher in the Rye," "The Grapes of Wrath" and "To Kill A Mocking Bird" show up on the list.

A few Stephen King novels and the first four books in the Harry Potter series also appear. With parent permission, students also can read Pat Conroy's "The Prince of Tides," one of two Conroy books that stirred controversy at Nitro High School last year.

"In addition to reading the book you select, you will research why it was challenged or banned," Clark slowly explained to her students.

She slowed her speech after Seth Lavinder, the school network administrator at George Washington, informed her of some audio glitches.

Students asked her to clarify a few times, but she was able to get her message across.

"The faster you talk, the more it's dropping out," Lavinder said. "Oh, O ... K ...," Clark said, her speech slowed to a snail's pace.

Students such as 11th-grader Bailey Rhodes enjoyed Thursday's "Webinar" with Clark. Rhodes likes the idea of connecting with her regular teacher from home instead of relying on a substitute. Classmate Robert Thomas said that if Clark is unable to be in the classroom, a teleconference is the next best thing.

"As long as we have the [Power-Point] slides to follow along with, I think it works out perfectly," he said.

Clark's knee is healing and she expects to be back at work Monday.

"I do stand all day [at work]," she said. "I seldom sit down."

A friend who once had a serious back injury gave Clark the idea for the Webinar.

"It was extraordinary," she said. Clark already blogs and handles most of her students' coursework online.

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 348-1254.