How Nations Serve Young Children
How Nations Serve Young Children: Profiles of Child Care and Education in 14 Countries and Families Speak: Early Childhood Care and Education in 11 Countries (books) and Sights and Sounds of Children: A Look at Early Childhood Settings Around the World (video), International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.
In what kinds of settings do preschool-aged children around the world spend their time? And how do children's experiences in these settings affect their intellectual, social, and academic development?
Those are two of the questions being asked as part of the IEA Preprimary Project, an ongoing multi-national study being conducted under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). The study is expected to provide significant insights into child care and early childhood education practices around the world.
The first phase of the study, which included profiles of national policies on the care and education of young children and a household survey on the care and education of 4-year-olds, was completed earlier this year. The next two phases of the study will look closely at the early childhood education practices in participating countries and document how these early experiences affect children at age 7. The nations participating in the final two phases of the study are: Belgium, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Nigeria, the People's Republic of China, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, and the United States.
The first phase of the study has led to these two books, and the video series, which consists of one tape on each of the 15 nations listed above. The remaining phases of the study will result in more publications and videos summarizing various aspects of the findings.
Available from High/Scope Press, 600 North River St., Ypsilanti, MI 48198. (800) 40-PRESS (tel); (800) 442-4FAX (fax). $29.95 for each book; $59.95 for each video or $695.00 for the complete set; add 10 percent to each order for shipping.
Building Inclusive Communities
Building Inclusive Communities and Moving Students from Isolation to Interaction, The Video Journal of Education.
This audio-video package features interviews with students, teachers, administrators, and parents as it explores the philosophy and rationale for including all students in regular classrooms. In an on-air workshop, consultants Marsha Forest and Jack Pearpoint talk about what ingredients make an inclusive classroom work for students who are and are not disabled. In addition to two videotapes, the package includes an audiocassette of the soundtracks and an eight-page guidebook with suggested activities.
Available from The Video Journal of Education, 549 W. 3560 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84115-4224. (800) 572-1153. 1994. 33 minutes each. $395.
Environmental Education
Environmental Education: Teacher Resource Handbook, edited by Richard J. Wilke.
This guide for teaching grades K–12 pulls together a variety of strategies and insights from some of the best-known experts in the field. It includes a general guide to creating or revising an environmental education curriculum, and sections on state-level curriculum guidelines; assessment; materials, sources, and ideas for special projects; children's trade books; and an annotated list of textbooks, videos, and software. Published in cooperation with the National Science Teachers Association, the handbook is one of a series of practical references for curriculum developers, education faculty, and both veteran and student teachers.
Available from Kraus International Publications, 358 Saw Mill River Rd., Millwood, NY 10546-1035. (914) 762-2200. 1993. 448 pp. Paperbound. $19.95.
Get Real About Violence
Get Real About Violence, Comprehensive Health Education Foundation.
This violence prevention curriculum is designed to alter the attitudes and behaviors of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, youngsters who are most susceptible to violent influences. Three coordinated modules, each with videotapes and lesson plans, address: I: Vulnerability to Violence, II: Contributors to Violence, III: Alternatives to Violence. Get Real About Violence may support a school's existing programs, or be incorporated into health, social studies, or life-skills courses. Its basic premise, however, is that as long as kids believe that fighting, guns, and aggressive behavior are acceptable and inevitable, conflict resolution and anger management skills will not change their behavior. The program begins by showing students they are vulnerable to violence, while helping them see they may be contributing to the violent norms of their peer group and school.
Module I contains a 15-minute videotape, 12-minute audiocassette, 43-page looseleaf-style teacher's guide with lessons, and 32-page introductory booklet. Modules II and III contain videotapes and teacher's guides and lessons, and Module III also includes educational posters.
Available from Comprehensive Health Education Foundation, 22323 Pacific Hwy. South, Seattle, WA 98198. (800) 323-2433; (206) 824-2907. 1994. $199 each; $450 for all three modules.
Divergent Views on the Control of Schools
Divergent Views on the Control of Schools: An Iowa Dialogue, Institute for Educational Leadership.
In a pluralistic society, is it possible for communities to agree upon core values they want their local schools to reinforce? How are we currently interpreting and applying the principle of separation of church and state in our schools? This monograph includes position papers and group reports from a conference held to address these and other issues arising from the clash of religious and secular values. Participants in the forum, hosted by the Institute for Educational Leadership in Cedar Falls last spring, included elementary and secondary school teachers; as well as parents of children in public, private, and home schools; ministers; and interested citizens.
Schools and communities interested in organizing a similar conference should contact Dave Elise, Director of the institute, at (319) 273-3358.
Available from the Institute for Educational Leadership, University of Northern Iowa, 159A Schindler Education Center, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0602. (319) 273-3358. 1995. Paperbound. $8.
Hear My Voice
Hear My Voice, Laurie King.
The centerpiece of this three-volume set is an anthology of literature from various cultures in the United States. The selections are organized around themes: borders, love, family, society, personal identity, and celebrations. A teacher's guide and an annotated bibliography complement the student book.
Available from Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., ATTN: School Order Dept., 1 Jacob Way, Reading, MA 01867. (800) 552-2259. 1994. Paperbound. 398-page student book (order no. 81839), $17.45. 96-page teacher's guide (81840), $16.20. 172-page bibliography (81841), $11.20. Classroom sets available. 20 percent discounts to schools.
Structuring a Learner-Centered School
Structuring a Learner-Centered School, Linda Schrenko.
Schrenko looks at two topics she considers conducive to learning: (1) schoolwide conditions, such as scheduling, climate and facilities, curriculum structure, and governance; and (2) teaching strategies. The latter, which lets students proceed at their own pace and work in teams, includes piquing students' interest in concepts by drawing on their emotions; engaging them in hands-on, meaningful experiences that require them to think; and offering constructive feedback. Also featured is a summary of research on learner-centered schools and teaching and evaluation strategies, and a lengthy bibliography.
Available from IRI/Skylight Publishing, Inc., 200 E. Wood St., Suite 274, Palatine, IL 60067. (800) 348-4474. 1994. 180 pp. Paperbound. $24.95.
Creating Portfolios
Creating Portfolios—For Success in School, Work, and Life, Martin Kimeldorf.
This engagingly written workbook, replete with logs, worksheets, and samples, shows high school students how to create four types of portfolios “that illustrate your proud moments”: student portfolios, project portfolios, expert and professional portfolios, and personal portfolios (“... this one is done just for you”). Kimeldorf covers everything from selecting samples and a format to writing descriptions to presenting the portfolio (how to cope with fear of public speaking; how to prepare for questions). There's even a “personal inventory,” inviting young people to brainstorm about who they are, what excites and motivates them, and what they have to contribute.
Available from Free Spirit Publishing Inc., 400 First Ave. North, Suite 616, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1730. (800) 735-7323 or (612) 338-2068. 1994. 86 pp. Paperbound. $11.95.
Look to the Mountain
Look to the Mountain, Gregory Cajete.
Cajete, a Tewa Pueblo scholar, talks about Native Americans' psychological involvement with their land, myths, and spirituality in this spiral-bound book, the first systematic study of the tribal philosophy of education.
Available from Kivaki Press, 585 E. 31st St., Durangeo, CO 81301. (800) 578-5904. 1994. 244 pp. Paperbound. $16.95.
If The Mango Tree Could Speak
If The Mango Tree Could Speak: A Documentary About Children and War in Central America, Marcia Goudvis (producer/director) and William Tunley (director).
In this pair of half-hour documentaries—one on Guatemala, the other on El Salvador—10 adolescents tell what it's like to grow up in the midst of war. The accounts are intimate and often disturbing: 14-year-old Diego watches the remains of his father being excavated from a mass grave; 13-year-old Ana tells of soldiers killing her mother. In a companion study guide, the Network of Educators on the Americas explains how to use the films as springboards for discussions of war and international relations, Latino homelands, and students' experiences with violence in the United States. Videos may be ordered in Spanish or English with subtitles.
Available from New Day Film Library, 22 D Hollywood Ave., Hohokus, NJ 07423. (201) 652-6590. 1993–94. Guatemala: 26 minutes, El Salvador: 32 minutes, study guide 32 pp. $89 for middle/high school and church/community groups, $60 rental, $9 shipping.
