An Annotated List of Recommended
Secondary-Level Instructional Materials
for Teachers, Students, and Parents
(Grades 6-12)
“Character Through The Arts”
Books for Teachers and Students, Guidebooks, Resource Books,
Music Cassettes, Music CDs, Videos, Art Prints,
Curriculum Materials, Teacher Guides,
Instructional Lessons, Instructional Units
Prepared by
Gordon Vessels, Project Director
Recommended Resource Materials List for Grades 6-12
Title/Author/Publisher / Type / For Whom / Grades / Rate / Comments & CostA Gathering of FlowersEdited by Joyce Carol Thomas for The Center for Learning, P.O. Box 910, Villa Maria, PA 16155(800) 767-9090 / 13 lesson plans
49 handouts / Teachers / Grades 9-12 / 10 / This is a collection of multicultural stories that chronicle growing up in America. It represents Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and African Americans as they blend their diversity into American culture.It includes portfolio writing, writing a short story or play, an evaluation of symbolism, similes, and metaphors in the stories, writing a human interest story for the school paper, and a focus oncompassion, respect, and responsibility. $18.95
A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, Peoples by Barry M. Pritzker, 2000, (Editor), Oxford University Press, 198 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 (212) 726-6000 / Book / Teachers Students / All grades / 10 / Dispelling myths, answering questions, and stimulating thoughtful avenues for further inquiry, this readable reference book provides specific information about all known North American Indians. Readers will enjoy the narratives about everything from notable leaders and relations with non-natives to customs, dress, dwellings, and weapons, to government and religion. Addressing over 200 groups of Native American groups in Canada and the United States, A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and People is at once exhaustive yet readable, covering a myriad of aspects of a people spread across ten geographical regions. I could not find this through Oxford but did find it on Amazon. From $21.00 new.
A Sympathetic Understanding of the Child: Birth to Sixteen (3rd Edition) by David Elkind, 1994, Allyn and Bacon, 3209 San Tomas DriveOceanside, CA92056 (800)917-4112 / Book / Educators / All grades / 10 / This is a child-centered introduction to child development. It is practical and research-based without being research-oriented. Looking at children over small time periods, it reveals patterns of growth and development at each age. The text strives to convey a sympathetic understanding that parents and teachers can use in their interactions with young people. $40.00 new and from $10.50 used on Amazon.
Active Citizenship: Empowering America's Youth Published by the Center for Multicultural Cooperation, P.O. Box 1385, Coarsegold, CA 93614 (800)432-3618 / Curriculum / Teachers / Grade 8-12 / 9 / In this unit, students are introduced to the knowledge, skills and values of responsible citizenship. Lessons lead to the Active Citizenship Project whereby students identify a real political problem, research it, and propose a solution. Part I looks at foundational documents and introduces students to the political problem-solving process; Part II exposes students to American values and religious freedom; Part III looks at the value of dialogue and critical thinking; Part IV looks at political problems (violence, racism, hate crimes, equity, conservation); Part V has lessons and activities related to a) perceptions of democracy in school, b) perceptions of the media, and c) uses of propaganda. The activities address character education, particularly the rights and responsibilities of citizens. All the appealing lessonsemphasize democratic principles, justice and due process. Diverse points of view are allowed. Attention is given to development of students' higher level thinking.
Advisor/Advisee Character Education: Lessons for Teachers and CounselorsbySarah Sadlow, Available from the Character Development Group, P.O. Box 9211, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-9211 (919)967-2110 / Book / Educators / Grades 6-12 / 9 / The book brings character education into the homeroom or advisee/advisor environment with 24 lessons on the basic tenets of character. Lessons are particularly applicable for middle and high school teachers and counselors. $24.95
African American Voices in Young Adult Literatureby Karen Patricia Smith, 1994 & 2001, Scarecrow Press, 15200 NBN Way, P.O. Box 191, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214 / Book / Teachers / All grades / 9 / Designed to be used by librarians and teachers who are exploring works written by and for African Americans. This is a good professional source to help in choosing literature for school libraries. It will fill an important need for school and public libraries seeking a more scholarly dialogue on African-American literature for teens. $42.00 new; $20+ used.
All Kids Are Our Kids: What Communities Must Do to Raise Caring and Responsible Children and Adolescentsby Peter Benson, 1997, Jossey-Bass, 350 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA94104 / Book / Teachers / Grades 5-12 / 9.5 / This book presents the “developmental assets” approach to character building, which is communitarian and puts the responsibility on all members of the larger community, not just teachers and parents. Their survey research over 20 years with grades 6-12 is impressive. $30.00 new; $13.69 used through Amazon.
America in Upheaval: The 1960'sby teacher authors at The Center for Learning, P.O. Box 910
Villa Maria, PA 16155 (800) 767-9090 [This organization has hundreds of units and thousands of lessons with handouts.] / 10 Lessons 1 90 page guide 25 handouts / Teachers / Grades 9-12 / 10+ / This is an example of a unit that guides students in the use of primary sources. Like all Center for Learning units, it identifies virtues to be cultivated. Students analyze and interpret historical documents to discover more about the political, social, and economic movements in U.S. History. Each lesson contains at least one primary source to encourage independent and collaborative thinking. Lessons include organizing farm workers, American film, the rock invasion, the Miranda Rights, and school prayer.$27.95
American PromisePublished by the Farmers Insurance Group, Inc., P.O. Box 514989, Los Angeles, CA90051-4989 (800)204-7722 / Video Curriculum / Students Teacher / Grade 5-12 / 9 / This video is a three-hour documentary which describes the principles of democracy with stories of citizens solving local problems. The Teaching Guide is a binder of lessons, activities and resources that relate the stories to the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. There is an emphasis on civic values. After seeing each story, students are guided through activities that include critical thinking, analyzing primary documents, simulations, and service learning projects. When controversial issues are presented, the approach is accurate and balanced. There is no literature component, however there are interesting essays. There is a significant diversity of cultural backgrounds presented.The Guide includes a new section on service learning for social studies teachers. Price unknown. Free of charge.
American Social Issues, Produced by ABC-CLIO Publishing, 130 Cremona Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93117(800)368-6868 / CD-Rom Software / Students / Grades 9-12 / 9 / This reference program presents lots of information about important social issues such as AIDS, civil rights, domestic violence, etc. Primary source documents accompany the text, but there is a lack of visuals to make it interesting.
An Agenda for the 21st Centuryby Rushworth Kidder, 1987, Institute for Global Ethics, 11 Main Street, P.O. Box 563 Camden, ME 04843; (207) 236-6658 / Book / Teachers and Students / Grades 9-12 / 9 / Rushworth Kidder questions 22 of the world's most compelling thinkers--artists, scientists, politicians, and philosophersabout their views on the major issues that will face humanity in the 21st century. While the group generally agrees on the set of issues most critically in need of addressing, there is sharp disagreement over proposed action. $18.95.
An Asset Builder’s Guide to Service Learningby the Search Institute, 7000 S. Third Street, Suite 210, Minneapolis, MN(877)240-7251 / Book / Teachers / Grades 6-12 / 9 / This book describes different program approaches for different ages, steps to take, and stories from successful programs around the country. $14.95
Answering the Virtucrats: A Moral Conversation on Character Educationby Robert J. Nash, 1997, Published by Teachers College Press, 1234 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY10027 / Book / Educators Social Scientists / Grades 9-12 / 8.5 / Nash is a college teacher who really understands different perspectives on moral education and who does an excellent job of comparing, contrasting, and critiquing different schools of thought. It realistically categorizes the popular sects of moral philosophy and gives each one a fair yet tough analysis of strengths and weaknesses. The writing itself is very good and makes a relatively dry topic entertaining. It is not a stuffy moral theory study but a study of various contemporary groups who think they have the answers. $20.00
Anti-Bias Curriculum: Tools for Empowering Young Childrenby Louise Derman-Sparks, AbcTask Force, 1989, NAEYC 823 U.N. Plaza, New York, NY 10017 (212)885-7700 The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 956-8200 / Curriculum Lessons / Teachers / Grades 8-12 / 9.5 / This curriculum encourages teachers to actively challenge stereotypes and prejudice. The author addresses students’ concepts of race and culture, similarity and difference, etc. This is very detailed and full of historical documents. She did a good job with research putting this together, and good teachers should find it easy to use. $22.00 new and about $10 used from Amazon
Art from Many Hands: Multicultural Art Projects
by JoMilesSchuman, 2003, Davis Publications, Incorporated, 50 Portland Street, Worcester, MA01608(508) 754-7201 / Book Idea Book / Students Teachers / All grades / 10 / Introduce children to the wonderful world of art, with projects from around the globe. Creativity and culture come together in this guidebook to ethnic crafts that people practice in everyday life. From Chinese calligraphy to Pueblo Indian pottery to Adinkra cloth from Ghana, the projects encompass a wide variety of techniques and materials. With comprehensive information on many cultures, easily understood instructions, and an interdisciplinary approach, this will appeal to adults and children. Includes guidance on teaching multicultural projects and an extensive bibliography. This is a cut above some of the really simplistic projects found in a lot of books. I go back to it again and again! I'd highly recommend it. $29.95
Art Prints & Slides Available from Dupuy Art Images, 385 Knowlton Street, Stratford, CT06615(888)413-8789 / Fine Art Prints Videos & Books / Teachers Students / All grades / 9 / This is an online catalog for high-qualityArt Slides, Art Books, and Art Videosfor Teaching and Research. The slides come in sets that appear to be from $13.00 to $30.00 each. The paintings appear to be European and do not include art from primitive cultures, modern African American art, etc. The videos are more multicultural and range from $30 to $40 each. Lots of architecture included.
Art Prints Available through Allposters Corporate Headquarters,967 Stanford Avenue, Oakland, CA 94608; Order Processing, 967 Stanford Avenue, Oakland, CA 94608; Corporate Headquarters: (510) 740-1300; Customer Service: (888) 654-0143, (510) 740-1300 / Website
Offering Fine Art Posters / Teachers Students / All grades / 10 / AllPosters.com is dedicated to bringing customers the best selection of posters and art prints in the world. Their selection of posters and prints includes entertainment and specialty posters, decorative prints, and art reproductions. Whether you are looking for a Monet reproduction, a print of the EiffelTower, or a poster of Michael Jordan, you will find it at AllPosters.com. The site also gives you access to music posters and movie posters that can be used as masterworks. Most of the 8 X 10s are $10.00; the 24 X 30s are $25.00.
Art Printsby Kathy Thompson, Published by Art Image Publications, P.O. Box 160, Derby Line, VT 05830 (800)361-2598 / Fine Art Prints & Lessons / Teachers Students / Grades K-8 / 10 / Character Education Visual Arts Kits: 11 units; Respect for Authority, Empathy&
Compassion, Equality& Tolerance, Courage, Work Ethic, Children and Work, Family Responsibility and Commitment, Friendship, Respect for the Environment, Community, Heroes. 55 teaching lessons and reproductions. $29.95 a set. $299.00 for all 11.
They also sell over 300 reproductions of art. There are many companies that sell sets of reproductions but only this company allows you to put together your own sets. In bulk 18” x 22” reproduction can be purchased for $6.00.
Art Slidesfrom Davis Publications, Incorporated, 50 Portland Street, Worcester, MA 01608 (508) 754-7201 / Art Slides / Teachers Students / All grades / 10 / Excellent Source.
Art Slide SetsAvailable by two-week rental from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. 20565(202) 842-6099 also available for purchase through the Office of Visual Services at the NGA; for loan information, read the Public Lending Guide available in PDF; to get a copy, send your name and address to . / Art Slide Sets / Teachers / All grades / 10 / Slide sets (many with an audio tape), video tapes, films, and teaching packets may be borrowed from the Department of Education Resources. These slide sets and teaching programs are loaned free of charge to educational institutions, community groups, and to individuals throughout the United States. Individual slides of Gallery objects to be used for teaching may also be purchased through the Office of Visual Services or through Davis Art Slides,50 Portland Street, Worcester, MA01608, telephone (800) 533-2847.
Art Works!Interdisciplinary Learning Powered by the ArtsEdited byDennie Palmer Wolf and Dana Balick from Performance Assessment Collaboratives for Education (PACE) at Harvard University, 1999, Heinemann, P. O. Box 6926, Portsmouth, NH 03802-6926 (800)225-5(800) / Book / Teachers / Grades 6-8 / 10 / This book demonstrates the power of the arts to inform interdisciplinary learning. Students learn how the architecture of the Middle East shapes and embodies that region's culture . . . explore the Harlem Renaissance by performing the literature, dances, and songs of the era . . . [and] develop reading comprehension by designing and illustrating a new edition of The Hobbit. Each project is distinctive and offers proof that the arts transcend disciplinary boundaries. Each offers a vision of the power of the arts to provoke new understandings and spark genuine connections—connections among people, cultures, periods of history; connections between classroom learning and the processes of invention, design, and the search for quality, which are characteristic of inventors, architects, poets, and performers.$18.00 from Heinemann.
Artists’ Masterworks Available through Artcyclopedia, Inc., 51 Tuscany Hills Terrace N.W.
Calgary, Alberta CanadaT3L 2G7(403) 547-9692
Fax: (403) 547-1506You can email founder John Maylon / Masterwork Website Free / Teachers Students / All grades / 10++ / This sight allows you to browse artists’ works by art a) movement, b) medium, c) subject, d) name, etc. This is a goldmine for Artful Learning teachers searching for masterworks. Artcyclopedia tells you where the originals are housed, complete with links. If you can get here, you can find any art.TheAmericanLibraryAssociation'sARSProjectnamed Artcyclopedia oneoftheweb's25 Best Free ReferenceSites. They have compiled a comprehensive index of every artist represented at hundreds of museums. They have indexed 1200 arts sites, and offer more than 32,000 links to 100,000 works by 7,500 artists. You can purchase expensive copies of prints through their affiliate, Artprint Collection, 533 Wyoming Ave Rear, Scranton, PA18509 (570) 969-6225 They are linked to inexpensive prints of masterworks are available for $10.00.
Asset Postersby the Search Institute, 7000 S. Third Street, Suite 210, Minneapolis, MN(877) 240-7251 / Posters / Classrooms / Grades 6-12 / 10 / Good to put up on walls in middle schools and high schools. They list the internal assets and external supports youth must have to succeed. $8.00 each in English and Spanish.
Beyond the Beanstalk: Interdisciplinary Learning Through Story- telling By L. Rubright, 1996, Wolburn, MA: Heinemann, P. O. Box 6926
Portsmouth, NH 03802-6926 (800)225-5(800) / Book / Teachers / Grades K-12 / 10 / This is useful for teachers of all subjects and grades. Each chapter pinpoints the subjectsand grade level(s). While most of the chapters are for grades K-8, it would take little effort for a creative teacher to "upgrade" the ideas presented in the book for high school. The bibliography is noteworthy. In an era where drama specialists are asked to wear many hats, this will assist in making the experience rewarding for teacher and students. $21.50; from $15.00 used
Biggest Job We'll Ever Have: The HydeSchool Program for Character-Based Education and Parenting by Laura Gauld (Editor) and Malcolm Gauld, 2002, Scribners. / Book / Teachers Principals / All grades / 10 / The book sharply contrasts "achievement culture" with "character culture" by providing 10 priorities for the development of a child's moral fiber. These include valuing "truth over harmony," "attitude over aptitude," and "principles over rules." Each priority is explored via crisp commentary, stories from Hyde parents and students, family exercises, activities, and journaling assignments. One chapter describes ways for parents to explore their attraction to the achievement bias of our culture. $18.00 new and from $7.50 used.
Black Heroes of the Twenty-First Centuryby Jesse Carney Smith, 1998, Re-Issue Edition 2001, Published by Visible Ink Press, a Division of Gale Research, 835 Penobscot Building, Detroit, Michigan 48226
/ Book / Teachers Students / Grades K-12 / 10 / To recognize and celebrate African American achievement over the past 100 years, Black Heroes profiles 150 individuals who have made a lasting and profound impact on our culture. Now available for the first time in paperback, Black Heroes is a who's who of cultural importance to all Americans. Wherever they've made their mark--politics, art, sports, entertainment, literature, civil rights, business, medicine, education, or law--the heroes represented in this book are men and women who have struggled against the odds and advanced to miraculous heights, in the process inspiring countless others. Distinguished scholar Jessie Carney Smith, author of the best-selling Black Firsts, has created yet another classic guide to extraordinary individuals and their accomplishments that is sure to please readers of any age. $24.95 publisher; much less through Amazon.
Blueprints for a Collaborative Classroom by the DevelopmentalStudiesCenter, 2000 Embarcadero, Suite 305, Oakland, CA94606 (800)666-7270 / Idea Book
3 Videos Guidebooks / Teachers & Students / Grades K-6 / 9.5 / This set includes 25 collaborative learning formats and 250 activity suggestions to help students and teachers work well collaboratively. Includes 3 videos: teacher’s role, joint activities, and joint products. Includes a book, a collegial study guide, a teacher guide, and a reflection guide. Book 16.95 / Study Pkg. $199.00
Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Storiesby William Kilpatrick, Gregory Wolfe, and Suzanne Wolfe, 1994, Touchstone Books, Rockefeller Center, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 / Book / Parents Teachers / All grades / 9 / This book is essentially an elaborately annotated bibliography of stories. It includes long-paragraph summaries of the books together with publisher information. It isa family guide to classic novels, fiction, myths, science fiction and fantasy, folktales, Bible stories, picture books, biographies, holiday stories, and many other books about virtues and values. There are 300 selections reviewed. It is a good resource even though the author’s conservatism may have influenced his choices. With entries by category and reading level, there is something here for all readersfrom preschoolers to teenagers. $11.00 new; $3.50 used.