Titles and Descriptions: C
Titles and Descriptions: C
Author Rena Upitis has written this book to help teachers recognize and foster children’s attempts at notating music as they engage in improvisation and composition. Her book aims to help teachers offer children positive experiences by drawing on the basic interest and skills in music that children already have. Chapters include "Creating a Rich Music Setting," "The Development of Children’s Invented Music Notation" and "Enhancing Children’s Invented Notation." The book contains a table of contents, a glossary of musical terms and an extensive bibliography.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music; Teacher Reference
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Canada Is… Music: 5-6. Rev. ed. (Print-Non-Fiction). Harrison, John, et al. (Canada Is Music Series). Gordon V. Thompson Music (CPMD), 1995. 287 p. Student Edition - Order no. V1480N ($23.96 hdc.). Teacher's Guidebook - Order no. V1481N ($31.96 coil-bound). Set of 9 compact discs - Order no. V1483N ($140.00 set).
(CAN) Canada Is…Music is designed specifically for teachers in Canada. It consists of a student textbook, a teacher’s guidebook and a set of CDs. This resource contains over 150 songs to enjoy and to help teach the elements of music. The units of study integrate music with other areas of the curriculum through various techniques including poetry, drama activities, movement suggestions and recipes. The new Grades 5-6 program is divided into units that include "Making Musical Instruments," "Medieval Studies" and "Exploring Themes and Variations." The program provides a comprehensive study of the orchestra and its instruments with specific listening selections.
The recordings on the CDs include all the songs with separate accompaniment tracks.
The teacher’s guide has step-by-step lesson plans and strategies including assessment ideas.
The listening materials and activities in this resource will help take children beyond the classroom to the world of music. New editions of other grades in this series are still in the pre-publication stage.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Dance; Drama; Music
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Canada Is Music Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title: Canada Is… Music: 5-6.
Canadian Art: From Its Beginnings to 2000 (Print-Non-Fiction). Newlands, Anne. Firefly Books Ltd. (FIR), 2000. 355 p. ISBN
1-55209-450-2 ($85.00 hdc.).
(CAN, I/M) Anne Newland’s book profiles 300 artists, presenting them in alphabetical order. Each profile includes a colour reproduction by the artist, a brief biography and an accompanying text that provides an interpretive description of each work set in a historical and regional context. The coverage of historical art is balanced, and the inclusion of Inuit and First Nations artists as well as multimedia, installation art and photography is laudable. The rich legacy and diversity of Canadian visual arts makes this survey of Canadian art a welcome event.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level; Native Studies: Grade 10; Native Studies: Grade 11
Canvas of War: Painting the Canadian Experience, 1914 to 1945 (Print-Non-Fiction). Oliver, Dean F. and Brandon, Laura. Douglas & McIntyre Publishing Group (UTP), 2000. 178 p. ISBN 1-55054-772-0 ($55.00 hdc.).
(CAN) The Canadian War Museum holds in excess of 13 000 paintings and drawings that were commissioned to capture history in the making during the First and Second World Wars. This fascinating and valuable book weaves 110 of these full-colour, seldom-seen Canadian war art images with archival photographs and an informative text. A capsule history of Canada’s wartime role is included, as well as specific information about the art works. Quotes from the artists and from service personnel, politicians and other Canadians are sprinkled liberally throughout. The result is a visual and historical record of Canada’s experience of war by such renowned artists as A. Y. Jackson, Alex Colville and Molly Lamb Bobak.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level; Canadian Studies; Social Studies 20/History 20
Canvas of War: The Art of World War II (Video). Sound Venture Productions (KIN), 2000. 47 min. Order no. 1158/1965 ($149.95).
(CAN) During World War II, a select group of Canadian artists created thousands of powerful paintings. Canvas of War is a documentary about these images and of the war artists who went into combat to paint them. The video is a highly visual and personal account of their experiences on the sea, in the air, and on the battlefields of World War II. Quotes from the artists and from service personnel, politicians and other Canadians are sprinkled liberally throughout. The narration, music, images and paintings blend together to make this a very powerful documentary.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level; Canadian Studies; Social Studies 20/History 20
Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis (Print-Non-Fiction). Bogart, Jo Ellen and Lang, Mark, illus. Tundra Books Inc. (RAN), 2002. unp. ISBN 0-88776-568-8 ($19.99 hdc.).
(CAN) Maud Lewis is one of Canada’s best-known folk artists. Despite living a life of pain and poverty, she found unquenchable joy in her life—joy she expressed in her art. This picture book biography relates the story of Maud’s life—from her carefree childhood to the hardships she faced because of a turbulent marriage and physical limitations caused by the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Maud lovingly painted animals, children and her surroundings, and when she had no canvas, she painted everything from breadboxes to the walls of her house. Reproductions of Maud’s paintings are available with permission of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, which houses her work—including the small, wonderfully painted house where she once lived.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Career Options for Women Series (Video). Please refer to the title: Entertainment.
Careers in Culture (Kit). Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC), 1999. No order number is required. ($FREE).
(CAN) Culture is an extremely broad term, and careers in this area vary greatly. This kit contains excellent resources that inform students about the many fields of employment within the cultural section.
The six booklets in the kit focus on the information that students require to make a decision about careers in film and television, the new media, music and sound recording, the visual arts, writing and publishing and heritage.
An activity guide accompanies the booklets.
This CD-ROM has two main sections. The Discovery Game takes students through six buildings where they learn about the careers available and what the work involves. The Discovery Centre informs students about the education and training needed as well as how to present oneself when seeking work. Live video of workers in the cultural section presents various tips for success.
A copy of the activity guide and booklets was sent to each high school in the winter of 2003. Further copies of the kit or individual components can be purchased from the Cultural Human Resources Council.
An online version is available at http://www.culturalhrc.ca.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; General
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level; Career and Work Exploration; Career Guidance: Middle Level; Communication Production Technology
Carnivocal: A Celebration of Sound Poetry (Compact Disc). Red Deer Press (FHW), 1999. ISBN 0-88995-210-8 ($16.95).
(CAN) Sound poetry is a type of vocal performance in which verbal, subverbal and nonverbal elements of speech are given aesthetic form and significance. Carnivocal is a sampler of Canadian sound poets in performance. Although unusual, sound poetry is a creative approach to presenting poetry using a wide range of accompanied and acappella vocals. The significance of rhythm in verse, the use of percussion accompaniment, and the creative use of pitch and inflection on this CD may inspire students to try their own hand at composing sound poetry.
The liner notes include an introduction to sound poetry and short biographical information about each performer.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level
Caught in the Net (Video). National Film Board of Canada (NFB), 1997. 14 min. Order no. 143C9197 039 ($39.95).
(CAN, WNCP) Caught in the Net provokes young people to explore the risks of getting too personal on the Internet. Adam reluctantly faces the possibility that a girlfriend he met over the Internet may not be everything she appears to be. He is challenged to think critically and carefully about the many people and sources of information he finds on the Internet. This video should be balanced with information regarding the positive value of peer support groups found on the web.
An excellent teacher’s guide containing valuable information and suggestions for discussion accompanies this video.
Please note that this program was recommended through Western and Northern Canadian Protocol for Collaboration in Basic Education to support English Language Arts Curricula.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; General
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level; English Language Arts 20; Health Education: Grades 6 to 9; Life Transitions 20/30
Center Stage: A Curriculum for the Performing Arts: 4-6 (Print-Non-Fiction). Cook, Wayne D. Seymour, Dale, Pubns. (PRN), 1993. 318 p. ISBN 0-86651-575-5 ($57.95 pbk.).
This American resource uses the philosophy of the play-building process to involve students in observing, communicating, comparing and categorizing, not only to better understand dramatic concepts, but also to understand themselves and their relationship to the world. The author states that "Creative dramatics is drama for the players, not the audience. A student begins with what he or she knows, and using imagination, experiments with that knowledge to create something new and to gain more knowledge." The book contains many ideas for creating drama, but teachers are advised to consult the curriculum guide in order to incorporate the lessons. The ideas, when placed into a larger dramatic context, support many of the components of the arts education program. Suggestions for grouping and classroom management, dealing with children who have special needs, and many options for extension are provided.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Drama; Teacher Reference
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Chasing the Tale of Contemporary Dance (Print-Non-Fiction). Anderson, Carol. Dance Collection Danse (DCD), 1999. 125 p. ISBN 0-929003-38-1 ($19.95 pbk.).
(CAN) This book is really a commentary written by Carol Anderson after she spent the summer of 1998 at the Canadian Dance Festival. Her observations and feelings after the Festival led her to write not only about the performers and their dances, but to include writings about other aspects of dance. Chapters include her thoughts about the diversity in Canadian dance, a brief history of festivals in Canada, and profiles of both men and women dancers. Many black-and-white photographs are featured. This is a valuable resource for teachers and students who want to learn more about the Canadian dance scene.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Dance
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level
Children and Their Art: Methods for the Elementary School. 7th ed. (Print-Non-Fiction). Hurwitz, Al and Day, Michael. Harcourt, Inc. (NEL), 2001. 460 p. ISBN
0-15-507438-5 ($83.50 hdc.).
This new edition of Children and Their Art addresses the needs of both experienced and beginning teachers of visual art. The text covers all aspects of teaching art in the elementary classroom: the basic principles and goals of art education, the characteristics and needs of children as learners, the core principles of art as a subject, and all aspects of instruction—planning, sample lessons, classroom management and assessment. Attention is given to the use of computers as learning tools and as a medium for creating art. Over 300 illustrations, including examples of children’s art from around the world, photographs of children creating in the classroom and fine art examples from every possible medium enhance the text. An annotated listing of websites and other resources follows each chapter. A comprehensive index and several appendices add to the usefulness of this resource. Although designed as a text for courses in Elementary Level art education, this is also useful for practising art teachers.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art; Teacher Reference
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Kindergarten
Chinook Winds: Aboriginal Dance Project (Print-Non-Fiction). Banff Centre Press (LPG), 1997. 95 p. ISBN 1-896923-02-X ($8.76 pbk.).
(CAN) With an editorial mix of essays, poetry, interviews, memoirs and photography, Chinook Winds documents the first dance performance of the aboriginal dance program at the Banff Centre for the Arts. The book shows that aboriginal dance is a contemporary art form that is constantly evolving—it is part of the past, the present, and it will be a part of the future. This book provides good information for both teachers and students who want to know more about the historical and cultural aspects of aboriginal dance.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Dance
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level
Chuck Close Up Close. 1st ed. (Print-Non-Fiction). Greenberg, Jan and Jordan, Sandra. DK Publishing, Inc. (CDS), 1998. 48 p. ISBN 0-7894-2486-X ($23.96 hdc.).
The contemporary American painter Chuck Close is featured in this exciting biography. Close came to prominence in the late 1960s for his super-realistic giant heads—portraits up close. The authors provide plenty of quotes and information about the artist’s childhood in a simple direct style by using an appealing combination of biographical exposition and quotations by Close. Over two dozen colour reproductions and photographs help the reader to understand the evolution of this major artist. An illustrated essay about the history of portraiture included in the back matter asks the reader several direct questions, providing a springboard for group discussion. A glossary, a bibliography and a museum listing are also included. Readers will likely be inspired to consider the possibilities for their own creativity.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Classical Quest (Video). Agency for Instructional Technology (MGR), 2000. 29 min. Dup. order no. V732. Teacher's Guide - Order no. G732.
The Starling Chamber Orchestra from the University of Cincinnati shows the connection between historic masterpieces of music and those who love playing music today. The relationship between the composers, conductors, players, instruments and the audience is revealed.
A portion from each "season" in Vivaldi’s 18th century composition, The Four Seasons is used to assist students in developing listening skills and in analyzing compositional elements of the work. The program introduces vocabulary and musical concepts in a way that is easily understood.
Supporting print is available from Media Group.
Suggested Use: Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music
The Clay Ladies (Print-Fiction). Bedard, Michael and Tait, Les, illus. Tundra Books Inc. (RAN), 1999. unp. ISBN 0-88776-573-4 ($9.99 pbk.).
(CAN) This long picture-book story is based on the lives of two famous sculptors, Frances Loring and Florence Wyle, who worked and lived together in an old Toronto church from 1920 to 1960. The story is told through the eyes of a small girl who first came to the clay ladies for help in tending a wounded bird. She returned again and again to receive care for her bird and also to watch the sculptors work with clay. Inspired by their creativity, she grew up to be a sculptor too. In glowing detail, the full-page illustrations capture the beauty and wonder of making art. This book could be used as a read-aloud for an introduction to working with clay.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Clothing and Jewelry (Print-Non-Fiction). Macdonald, Fiona and Pastorelli, Antonella, et al., illus. (Discovering World Cultures Series). Crabtree Publishing Company (CRA), 2001. 38 p. ISBN 0-7787-0236-7 ($19.96 hdc.). ISBN 0-7787-0246-4 ($9.86 pbk.).
(CAN) This beautifully illustrated book takes a close-up look at clothing and jewellery from ancient times to the modern world today. The information will allow students to compare their own clothing styles with those of various cultures around the world as well as clothing of the past. Topics range from footwear and feet, hairstyles and hats to the use of clothing and jewellery in celebrations and ceremonies. Key words are in bold throughout the book, and coloured photographs and detailed illustrations complement the text. A glossary and a table of contents are included.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Clothing: Garments, Styles, and Uses (Print-Non-Fiction). Ventura, Piero. Houghton Mifflin Company (ALL), 1993. 64 p. ISBN 0-395-66791-7 ($19.10 hdc.).
Richly detailed illustrations trace graphically the evolution of clothing styles, fabrics and uses throughout history in this information-filled volume. The author chronicles the function and symbolism of clothes through the ages, delving into such details as the connotations of various fabrics, colours and styles; the process of leather tanning and wool weaving; and the social and political forces behind certain fashion trends. The clear and concise text along with captions that describe each drawing show how the basic human need for clothing has evolved since prehistoric times. This volume will give students a useful overview of many civilizations and cultures extending beyond the study of clothing and costumes.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Cloud Dance (Print-Fiction). Locker, Thomas. Harcourt, Inc. (RAI), 2000. unp. ISBN 0-15-202231-7 ($23.85 hdc.).
A lyrical text accompanies paintings of clouds of many shapes and sizes as they drift and dance across the sky. Cloud Dance reveals the natural beauty of clouds in every season as it skillfully blends fiction, science and art. An informative section at the book’s end entitled "About Clouds" links the beauty of the sky to science. This notable children’s book could be used in visual art to inspire students to paint their own interpretations of clouds and would be a welcome addition to any library collection.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; English Language Arts: Elementary Level; Science: Elementary Level
Crafts From the Past Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the titles: The Egyptians, The Greeks, The Romans and The Vikings.
Creative Dance Inspirations: Facilitating Expression (Print-Non-Fiction). Drewe, Sheryle Bergmann. Detselig Enterprises Ltd. (TEMB), 1998. 155 p. ISBN 1-55059-160-6 ($19.95 pbk.).
(CAN) This resource includes an examination of aesthetic features related to creative dance as well as an explanation of the movement elements upon which creative dance is based. Potential stimuli for creative dance activities and the contexts a teacher should focus on are discussed, and suggestions for planning a creative dance lesson follow. Forty lesson plans for shaping dances include clear instructions for starting the lesson, organizing the movement exploration and relating the explorations to a dance idea. The author cautions that every group of students and every teacher is different, and some ideas that work with one class will not work with another. She encourages teachers to take the ideas and adapt them to their particular situation. She views the creative dance lessons as a step on the road to creating original dance lessons.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Dance; Teacher Reference
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Creative Elements (Print-Non-Fiction). Evans, Valerie. Belair Publications Limited (BHU), 2001. 72 p. ISBN 0-947882-86-3 ($19.95 pbk.).
Creative Elements provides ideas for creative writing, poetry, art, dance, drama and music. Each theme is inspired by the elements (Fire, Water, Earth and Air) and creates opportunities for learning through creation myths, stories, festivals, mythical creatures and gods. This resource would be valuable support for a unit about myths and legends. Many colour photographs and samples of student work enhance this book.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; General; Teacher Reference
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level
Creative Lives Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title: Artists: Exploring Art Through the Study of Five Great Lives.
Cubes and Squares (Video). (Shape Shape Shape Series). Landmark Films (MGR), 1997. 15 min. Dup. order no. V6753.
The two characters (Bunyip and Swaggle), while attempting to build an object or carry out a task, explore the many properties of different shapes. While building a barbecue from boxes, the characteristics which distinguish cubes from other boxes, and squares from other rectangles are examined.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Elementary Level
Culture Change (Video). (Faces of Culture Series). Magic Lantern Communications Ltd. (MGR), 1994. 29 min. Dup. order no. V9811.
This video considers why and how cultures change, and whether modernization must also cause painful changes to societies. The video defines and gives examples of invention, diffusion, acculturation and the mechanisms of change, and it reviews external causes of change, including colonialism and conquest. Other causes of change that are considered in the program include rebellion, revolution, revitalization movements and modernization.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; General
Other Use: Social Studies: Grades 7-9
Cylinders (Video). (Shape Shape Shape Series). Landmark Media Inc. (MGR), 1998. 15 min. Dup. order no. V6757.
The two characters (Bunyip and Swaggle), while attempting to build an object or carry out a task, explore the many properties of different shapes. When required to roll out some dough, the two characters go in search of the best shape to use for the task. This leads them into an exploration of cylinders and their properties.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Mathematics: Elementary Level