Learning By Heart
Learning By Heart: Teachings to Free the Creative Spirit, Corita Kent and Jan Steward.
“We can all talk, we can all write, and if the blocks are removed, we can all draw and paint and makes things,” says Corita Kent in the preface. Kent, a well-known graphic artist, developed a widely influential program designed to enhance students' creativity. This book captures the principles and tools of that program in a variety of “assignments” to awaken the reader's natural creative abilities. The text is richly illustrated with photographs, drawings, paintings, and folk art.
Available from Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10103. 1992. 208 pp. Paperbound. $12.50.
Inventive Teaching
Inventive Teaching: The Heart of the Small School, Judith S. Kleinfeld, G. Williamson McDiarmid, and William H. Parrett.
Using Alaskan schools as exemplars, this book explores successful programs and activities in rural schools. From distance education to district academic festivals, the authors describe more than 40 successful projects that all educators might find useful. Includes an extensive list of sources of information.
Available from College of Rural Alaska, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775. 1992. 228 pp. Paperbound. $15.
Teaching the Sixties
Teaching the Sixties: An In-Depth, Interactive, Interdisciplinary Approach, Brooke Workman.
This well-organized guide considers the 1960s from nearly all angles: historical events; popular culture (including television, movies, and literature); architecture and paintings; poetry and plays; and dancing and music. Teacher notes, handouts, term projects, and other assignments round out the 90 lessons.
Available from National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 Kenyon Rd., Urbana, IL 61801. 1992. 220 pp. Paperbound. $10.95 member, $14.95 nonmember.
Integrating Environmental Education into the Curriculum Painlessly
Integrating Environmental Education into the Curriculum Painlessly, Jan Lewis Walters and Lyne Hamilton.
Two experienced teachers propose ways to integrate environmental education with reading, mathematics, language arts, and science/social studies. Thirty-two activities such as “Living on the Sun” and “Rumble in the Jungle” address both primary and intermediate grades. Includes five special projects as well as a list of environmental organizations, a book list, and a guide to videos and filmstrips.
Available from National Education Service, 1610 W. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47402. 1992. 120 pp. Large paperbound. $15.95 prepaid.
126 Strategies to Build Language Arts Abilities
126 Strategies to Build Language Arts Abilities: A Month by Month Resource, Cathy Collins.
Reading, speaking, spelling, composition, and handwriting are among the skills addressed in this comprehensive volume. Reproducible handouts and detailed activities accompany each lesson. If each of the 126 activities is used, students will be exposed to 14 lessons a month, 63 competencies for the year.
Available from Allyn and Bacon, 160 Gould St., Needham, MA 02194. 1992. 356 pp. Large paperbound. $32.95.
Portraying Persons with Disabilities
Portraying Persons with Disabilities: An Annotated Bibliography of Fiction for Children and Teenagers, Debra Robertson.
A comprehensive, annotated guide to hundreds of fiction works about disabled persons. Titles are categorized and cross-referenced in several areas: physical problems, sensory problems, cognitive and behavior problems, and multiple/severe and various disabilities.
Available from R. R. Bowker, 121 Chanlon Rd., New Providence, NJ 07974. 1992. 482 pp. Hardcover. $39.95.
The Parent's Guide to Educational Software
The Parent's Guide to Educational Software, Marion Blank and Laura Berlin.
The evaluators look at more than 200 of the best educational software programs in reading, writing, reasoning, and math skills. Listings note appropriate age and grade range along with skills needed to use the program independently and necessary adult supervision. The evaluations also address a program's usefulness for students who are learning disabled and the computer systems for which the program is available. An appendix provides lists of suggested readings and educational software producers.
Available from Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052. 1991. 400 pp. Paperbound. $14.95.
The Portfolio and Its Use
The Portfolio and Its Use: Developmentally Appropriate Assessment of Young Children, Cathy Grace and Elizabeth F. Shores.
Describes how teachers and administrators can use assessment portfolios, not tests, to make instructional decisions based on the real achievements and progress of schoolchildren. Defines the assessment portfolio and how it can be used and also provides sample forms.
Available from the Southern Association on Children Under Six, P.O. Box 5403, Brady Station, Little Rock, AR 72215. 1991. 60 pp. Paperbound. $10.
