Schlesinger Media. The American Revolution for Students. (2005). (Available from the Library Video Company at http://www.libraryvideo.com) Item #: V6140.
Plot Summary
These DVD’s provide a narrative of the American Revolution and include re-enactments, paintings, photographs, primary documents and locations to help tell the story. University experts also provide additional information within the narrative. The DVD's also include additional activities to help students understand the various issues at hand.
Critical Evaluation
Both American and British viewpoints are included, and a continuous timeline helps viewers keep their place. DVD’s also include teacher’s guides. This is a definite plus!
Reader's Annotation
This is a multi-volume series that showcases the American Revolution from both the American and British perspectives.
About Schlesinger Media
Schlessinger Media, founded in 1990, is a division of the Library Video Company. Products are created to support science, social studies, language arts, math, and health curricula. Programs are award-winning and originally-produced.
Genre
Multimedia (history)
Curriculum Ties
Social Studies
Booktalking Ideas
*Students are presented with facts related to the American Revolution. American and British viewpoints help to provide a balanced understanding of this historical event.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 5+
Reason for Book Selection
Students learn about the American Revolution in 8th grade; however, they rarely learn it from any other perspective accept the American one.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Discovery School. Holocaust Heroes [Motion picture]. (2005). ASIN: B002UMLIES
Plot Summary
In the first part of this DVD, an examination of who might have betrayed Anne Frank and her family is presented and three suspects are revealed. Personal history about Anne’s family is provided and segments of her diary are used to explain what happened to them. The second part of this DVD provides a present day reunion of Holocaust survivors who, unlike Anne, were sent to the safety of their parents to evade capture by the Nazis.
Critical Evaluation
Although this is aimed mainly at the teen-age group, the pre-teens may find this helpful if they are studying The Diary Anne Frank. This DVD will be a worthy addition to their resources.
Reader's Annotation
This DVD is made up of two parts: 1) a focus on Anne Frank; and 2) Holocaust survivors.
About Discovery Education (excerpt from http://discoveryeducation.com/aboutus/)
Discovery Education provides engaging digital resources to schools and homes with the goal of making educators more effective, increasing student achievement, and connecting classrooms and families to a world of learning.
Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, LLC the leading global nonfiction media company. The leader in digital video-based learning, Discovery Education produces and distributes high-quality digital resources in easy-to-use formats in all core-curricular subject areas. Discovery Education is committed to creating scientifically proven, standards-based digital resources for teachers, students, and parents that make a positive impact on student learning. Through solutions like Discovery Education streaming, Discovery Education Science, Discovery Education Health and more, Discovery Education helps over one million educators and 35 million students harness the power of broadband and media to connect to a world of learning.
Genre
Multimedia (history)
Curriculum Ties
Social Studies and Geography
Booktalking Ideas
*Students learn about Anne Frank, as well as Holocaust survivors (present-day).
Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 9-12
Reason for Book Selection
Students read the Diary of Anne Frank as part of their 8th grade core literature. This Dvd is a good addition to their studies.
Plot Summary
In the first part of this DVD, an examination of who might have betrayed Anne Frank and her family is presented and three suspects are revealed. Personal history about Anne’s family is provided and segments of her diary are used to explain what happened to them. The second part of this DVD provides a present day reunion of Holocaust survivors who, unlike Anne, were sent to the safety of their parents to evade capture by the Nazis.
Critical Evaluation
Although this is aimed mainly at the teen-age group, the pre-teens may find this helpful if they are studying The Diary Anne Frank. This DVD will be a worthy addition to their resources.
Reader's Annotation
This DVD is made up of two parts: 1) a focus on Anne Frank; and 2) Holocaust survivors.
About Discovery Education (excerpt from http://discoveryeducation.com/aboutus/)
Discovery Education provides engaging digital resources to schools and homes with the goal of making educators more effective, increasing student achievement, and connecting classrooms and families to a world of learning.
Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, LLC the leading global nonfiction media company. The leader in digital video-based learning, Discovery Education produces and distributes high-quality digital resources in easy-to-use formats in all core-curricular subject areas. Discovery Education is committed to creating scientifically proven, standards-based digital resources for teachers, students, and parents that make a positive impact on student learning. Through solutions like Discovery Education streaming, Discovery Education Science, Discovery Education Health and more, Discovery Education helps over one million educators and 35 million students harness the power of broadband and media to connect to a world of learning.
Genre
Multimedia (history)
Curriculum Ties
Social Studies and Geography
Booktalking Ideas
*Students learn about Anne Frank, as well as Holocaust survivors (present-day).
Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 9-12
Reason for Book Selection
Students read the Diary of Anne Frank as part of their 8th grade core literature. This Dvd is a good addition to their studies.
Cameron, James (Producer & Director). Aliens of the Deep [Motion Picture]. Walt Disney Pictures (2005). ASIN: B000AJJNHW
Plot Summary
In this movie, James Cameron explores the deepest parts of the ocean. He dives into the ocean with amazing technology in the form of submersibles and other interesting and advanced technology. He encounters strange and wondrous sea creatures that look like they came from one of his science fiction movies. With these strange creatures, the film takes the unique direction that they are down deep in the ocean to study biological life. They are interested in living creatures in outer space and believe that these sea creatures are the closest animals on the planet possibly like them.
Critical Evaluation
This interesting twist on ocean documentary makes this an enjoyable film that sparks the imagination. Creative special effects and amazing cinematography fill this movie from beginning to end. This is a good film that shows just how strange the ocean really can be.
Reader's Annotation
Academy Award-winning director, James Cameron, takes a closer look at the deepest parts of the ocean.
About the Director
James Cameron, born in 1954, is a Canadian movie director, screenwriter, producer, and film inventor. His works include The Terminator, Titanic, and the soon to be released Avatar. Cameron has also created documentary films, such as Aliens of the Deep.
Genre
Multimedia
Curriculum Ties
Science
Booktalking Ideas
*Students learn about sea creatures while experiencing the ocean depth through amazing 3-D technologies.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Young Adult
Reason for Book Selection
Cameron in as amazing director. Students love learning about new technologies, and Cameron does an awesome job showing how he uses these new gadgets.
Plot Summary
In this movie, James Cameron explores the deepest parts of the ocean. He dives into the ocean with amazing technology in the form of submersibles and other interesting and advanced technology. He encounters strange and wondrous sea creatures that look like they came from one of his science fiction movies. With these strange creatures, the film takes the unique direction that they are down deep in the ocean to study biological life. They are interested in living creatures in outer space and believe that these sea creatures are the closest animals on the planet possibly like them.
Critical Evaluation
This interesting twist on ocean documentary makes this an enjoyable film that sparks the imagination. Creative special effects and amazing cinematography fill this movie from beginning to end. This is a good film that shows just how strange the ocean really can be.
Reader's Annotation
Academy Award-winning director, James Cameron, takes a closer look at the deepest parts of the ocean.
About the Director
James Cameron, born in 1954, is a Canadian movie director, screenwriter, producer, and film inventor. His works include The Terminator, Titanic, and the soon to be released Avatar. Cameron has also created documentary films, such as Aliens of the Deep.
Genre
Multimedia
Curriculum Ties
Science
Booktalking Ideas
*Students learn about sea creatures while experiencing the ocean depth through amazing 3-D technologies.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Young Adult
Reason for Book Selection
Cameron in as amazing director. Students love learning about new technologies, and Cameron does an awesome job showing how he uses these new gadgets.
Philbrick, Nathaniel. Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex. Audio Bookshelf (2005). (Audio book read by Taylor Mali. Available in CD, cassette, preloaded digital audio player, and printed book.) Preloaded digital audio player: ISBN-10: 1605146048
Plot Summary
This audiobook begins with a lively whaling song. In this true story, the 1821 whaling ship, Essex, is attacked and sunk by an enraged whale. Twenty members of the crew jump into leaky lifeboats. After 3 months in the lifeboats, only 3 crew members survive.
Critical Evaluation
The story is gripping, but also gruesome. Listeners beware!
Reader's Annotation
This is a true story about the 1821 whaling ship that is attacked by an angry whale.
About the Audio Bookshelf
Heather Frederick founded Audio Bookshelf, an award-winning producer and publisher of audio books, in 1992. Each audio book in Audio Bookshelf contains reviews, and some entries even have Curriculum Connections.
Genre
Multimedia (audio book)
Curriculum Ties
Language Arts, Social Studies
Booktalking Ideas
*Students learn about the 1812 whaling ship that gets attacked by a whale. Only three crew members end up surviving.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 5-8
Reason for Book Selection
Students of all ages enjoy listening to stories on tape – fiction and nonfiction.
Plot Summary
This audiobook begins with a lively whaling song. In this true story, the 1821 whaling ship, Essex, is attacked and sunk by an enraged whale. Twenty members of the crew jump into leaky lifeboats. After 3 months in the lifeboats, only 3 crew members survive.
Critical Evaluation
The story is gripping, but also gruesome. Listeners beware!
Reader's Annotation
This is a true story about the 1821 whaling ship that is attacked by an angry whale.
About the Audio Bookshelf
Heather Frederick founded Audio Bookshelf, an award-winning producer and publisher of audio books, in 1992. Each audio book in Audio Bookshelf contains reviews, and some entries even have Curriculum Connections.
Genre
Multimedia (audio book)
Curriculum Ties
Language Arts, Social Studies
Booktalking Ideas
*Students learn about the 1812 whaling ship that gets attacked by a whale. Only three crew members end up surviving.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 5-8
Reason for Book Selection
Students of all ages enjoy listening to stories on tape – fiction and nonfiction.
Discovery Channel School. The Middle East: Land of Contrast [DVD]. (2004). ASIN: B002ABINP6
Plot Summary and Short Evaluation
This DVD is a fun-filled and action-packed quest for the wonders of the Middle East. First you will learn about ancient trade routes and the three cities that were most important: Jerusalem, Aleppo, and Istanbul. You can wander through the bustling bazaars that haven’t changed much over the years, and learn about the goods that made each city famous. Next in store is an exciting trip through Jordan, guided by King Abdullah himself! You may think he’s too cool to be a king: he loves motorcycles, helicopters, hang gliders, speedboats, scuba diving and a new sport—sand surfing! He will take you on all these adventures while showing you lost cities, ancient tombs and amazing natural beauty. Better than any travel video, this inside tour of Jordan is unforgettable. After that, the final section of the video is on the holy cities of the Middle East. You’ll see Jerusalem, home to three religions, with the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Muslim Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where some say Jesus’ tomb was. Mecca hosts thousands of Muslims who come in pilgrimage to the Ka’bah. With so much to discover, this DVD is one journey you’ll be glad you took!
Reader's Annotation
About Discovery Education (excerpt from http://discoveryeducation.com/aboutus/)
Discovery Education provides engaging digital resources to schools and homes with the goal of making educators more effective, increasing student achievement, and connecting classrooms and families to a world of learning.
Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, LLC the leading global nonfiction media company. The leader in digital video-based learning, Discovery Education produces and distributes high-quality digital resources in easy-to-use formats in all core-curricular subject areas. Discovery Education is committed to creating scientifically proven, standards-based digital resources for teachers, students, and parents that make a positive impact on student learning. Through solutions like Discovery Education streaming, Discovery Education Science, Discovery Education Health and more, Discovery Education helps over one million educators and 35 million students harness the power of broadband and media to connect to a world of learning.
Genre
Multimedia (history)
Curriculum Ties
Social Studies
Booktalking Ideas
*Students learn about the Middle East: trade routes, kings, holy cities, etc.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6+
Reason for Book Selection
Students study the history of the Middle East in middle school and in high school.
Plot Summary and Short Evaluation
This DVD is a fun-filled and action-packed quest for the wonders of the Middle East. First you will learn about ancient trade routes and the three cities that were most important: Jerusalem, Aleppo, and Istanbul. You can wander through the bustling bazaars that haven’t changed much over the years, and learn about the goods that made each city famous. Next in store is an exciting trip through Jordan, guided by King Abdullah himself! You may think he’s too cool to be a king: he loves motorcycles, helicopters, hang gliders, speedboats, scuba diving and a new sport—sand surfing! He will take you on all these adventures while showing you lost cities, ancient tombs and amazing natural beauty. Better than any travel video, this inside tour of Jordan is unforgettable. After that, the final section of the video is on the holy cities of the Middle East. You’ll see Jerusalem, home to three religions, with the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Muslim Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where some say Jesus’ tomb was. Mecca hosts thousands of Muslims who come in pilgrimage to the Ka’bah. With so much to discover, this DVD is one journey you’ll be glad you took!
Reader's Annotation
About Discovery Education (excerpt from http://discoveryeducation.com/aboutus/)
Discovery Education provides engaging digital resources to schools and homes with the goal of making educators more effective, increasing student achievement, and connecting classrooms and families to a world of learning.
Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, LLC the leading global nonfiction media company. The leader in digital video-based learning, Discovery Education produces and distributes high-quality digital resources in easy-to-use formats in all core-curricular subject areas. Discovery Education is committed to creating scientifically proven, standards-based digital resources for teachers, students, and parents that make a positive impact on student learning. Through solutions like Discovery Education streaming, Discovery Education Science, Discovery Education Health and more, Discovery Education helps over one million educators and 35 million students harness the power of broadband and media to connect to a world of learning.
Genre
Multimedia (history)
Curriculum Ties
Social Studies
Booktalking Ideas
*Students learn about the Middle East: trade routes, kings, holy cities, etc.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6+
Reason for Book Selection
Students study the history of the Middle East in middle school and in high school.
Dashefsky, H. Steven. Kids Can Make a Difference: Environmental Science Activities. TAB Books (1995). ISBN-10: 0070157472
Plot Summary
Kids Can Make a Difference teaches how to live green with lots of ideas, experiments, and science projects for children, ages 9-12. This book is divided into chapters, which discuss specific pollution problems, such as plastic pollution, conserving water, and soil erosion. It also has information on how to adopt an endangered animal and organize a beach clean-up day. The scientific method is explained, and there are step-by-step instructions on how to conduct an experiment or science project.
Critical Evaluation
This book would be a great for learning about the environment and getting ideas for a school science project. There are many black ink drawings throughout this book. It also includes an index, glossary, reading list, and lists of organizations that you readers can write to for information regarding helping the environment.
Reader's Annotation
This book teaches children, ages 9-12, how to live green with lots of ideas, experiments, and science projects.
About the Author
H. Steven Dashefsky is an author who has published a variety of books for young adults and children. Some of these works include Zoology: High-School Science Fair Experiments, Environmental Science: High-School Science Fair Experiments, La ciencia del medio ambiente / The Environmental Science, and Zoology: 49 science fair projects.
Genre
Nonfiction (environmental science)
Curriculum Ties
Science
Booktalking Ideas
Are you interested in Going Green? Is environmental science your passion? Come to the library to check out Kids Can Make a Difference: Environmental Science Activities. The book contains lots of ideas, experiments, and projects sure to tickle your fancy!
Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 9-12
Reason for Book Selection
Living “green” is all the rage right now. In fact, our middle school is currently in the process of “going green.”
Plot Summary
Kids Can Make a Difference teaches how to live green with lots of ideas, experiments, and science projects for children, ages 9-12. This book is divided into chapters, which discuss specific pollution problems, such as plastic pollution, conserving water, and soil erosion. It also has information on how to adopt an endangered animal and organize a beach clean-up day. The scientific method is explained, and there are step-by-step instructions on how to conduct an experiment or science project.
Critical Evaluation
This book would be a great for learning about the environment and getting ideas for a school science project. There are many black ink drawings throughout this book. It also includes an index, glossary, reading list, and lists of organizations that you readers can write to for information regarding helping the environment.
Reader's Annotation
This book teaches children, ages 9-12, how to live green with lots of ideas, experiments, and science projects.
About the Author
H. Steven Dashefsky is an author who has published a variety of books for young adults and children. Some of these works include Zoology: High-School Science Fair Experiments, Environmental Science: High-School Science Fair Experiments, La ciencia del medio ambiente / The Environmental Science, and Zoology: 49 science fair projects.
Genre
Nonfiction (environmental science)
Curriculum Ties
Science
Booktalking Ideas
Are you interested in Going Green? Is environmental science your passion? Come to the library to check out Kids Can Make a Difference: Environmental Science Activities. The book contains lots of ideas, experiments, and projects sure to tickle your fancy!
Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 9-12
Reason for Book Selection
Living “green” is all the rage right now. In fact, our middle school is currently in the process of “going green.”
Firestone, Mary. Weird Careers in Science: SETI Scientist. Chelsea House Publishers (2005). ISBN-10: 0791087018
Plot Summary
SETI stands for the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence. This book tells you about the beginnings of SETI science in 1959, and it explains what the scientists do and where they work. For example, SETI scientists use radio telescopes, optical telescopes and infrared telescopes. They work with computers in laboratories and use search strategies to monitor signals from outer space. There is a chapter about four of the most prominent SETI scientists, including their most famous founding member, Carl Sagan.
Critical Evaluation
The book explains how to download software that makes it possible for ordinary people to participate in processing SETI data on their home computers. The book is interesting, even if you are not planning to become a scientist, as long as you are interested in outer space.
Reader's Annotation
This book tells you about the beginnings of SETI science in 1959, and it explains what the scientists do and where they work.
About the Author
Mary Firestone has written more than two dozen books for children. Many of these books have been recommended by the National Science Teacher Association. She has also received a Best Writing in the Arts award from the Minneapolis Neighborhood Press Association.
Genre
Nonfiction (careers)
Curriculum Ties
Language Arts, Science, Social Science
Booktalking Ideas
Do you love science? Are you interested in a future career in the science field? If so, check out Mary Firestone's book entitled Weird Careers in Science: SETI Scientist. You might just discover a new passion!
Reading Level/Interest Age
Young Adult
Reason for Book Selection
Many tweens love science. This books enables them to explore a future in the field of science.
Plot Summary
SETI stands for the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence. This book tells you about the beginnings of SETI science in 1959, and it explains what the scientists do and where they work. For example, SETI scientists use radio telescopes, optical telescopes and infrared telescopes. They work with computers in laboratories and use search strategies to monitor signals from outer space. There is a chapter about four of the most prominent SETI scientists, including their most famous founding member, Carl Sagan.
Critical Evaluation
The book explains how to download software that makes it possible for ordinary people to participate in processing SETI data on their home computers. The book is interesting, even if you are not planning to become a scientist, as long as you are interested in outer space.
Reader's Annotation
This book tells you about the beginnings of SETI science in 1959, and it explains what the scientists do and where they work.
About the Author
Mary Firestone has written more than two dozen books for children. Many of these books have been recommended by the National Science Teacher Association. She has also received a Best Writing in the Arts award from the Minneapolis Neighborhood Press Association.
Genre
Nonfiction (careers)
Curriculum Ties
Language Arts, Science, Social Science
Booktalking Ideas
Do you love science? Are you interested in a future career in the science field? If so, check out Mary Firestone's book entitled Weird Careers in Science: SETI Scientist. You might just discover a new passion!
Reading Level/Interest Age
Young Adult
Reason for Book Selection
Many tweens love science. This books enables them to explore a future in the field of science.
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