Titles and Descriptions: J
Jeni LeGon: Living in a Great Big Way (Video). National Film Board of Canada (NFB), 1999. 48 min. Order no. C9199 086 ($49.95).
(CAN) Jeni LeGon was a talented and passionate dancer who became the first black woman to sign a long-term contract with a major Hollywood studio. Jeni grew up in Chicago, where she taught herself to dance, gathering her early audiences around her on the sidewalks that were her first stage. She became a solo dancer in the Count Basie Chorus Line and set her sights for Hollywood. Although she performed in several films, despite her talent she could not break through the colour barrier of a segregated Hollywood. She moved to Vancouver in 1960 and became a teacher and choreographer. This film includes interviews with outstanding dancers and wonderful archival footage. It supports the historical context of arts education.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Dance
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level
Jivin' Johnny's Classroom Jukebox… for Elementary and High Schools (Print-Non-Fiction). Jivin' Johnny. Jjohnny Press (JJP), 2000. 113 p. ISBN 0-9686403-1-1 ($21.88 coil-bound).
Jivin’ Johnny (a.k.a. John Phillips) has been using popular music in the classroom for over 30 years. This collection includes some of his favourite songs with questions intended to arouse curiousity and emotions, stimulate ideas and creativity and promote discussion and understanding. The book is divided into sections that include the following themes: "Growing Up," "Our World," "Heroes," "Sexuality" and "The Lives We Choose."
Songs are not included with this resource, but a detailed index and tips for searching for certain titles may help in locating the songs.
The book advises teachers to preview each song and to consider the audience, the school policy and the community before playing it in class. Some of the suggested pieces include references to sensitive issues. Teachers should make sure to connect the selections they choose to a context within the curriculum.
Further information is available at www.jjohnnypress.com.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music; Teacher Reference
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level; English Language Arts: Grades 6 to 9; English Language Arts 10
John Coltrane: A Sound Supreme (Print-Non-Fiction). Selfridge, John. Watts, Franklin, Inc. (GBW), 1999. 95 p. ISBN 0-531-11542-9 ($24.00 hdc.).
John Coltrane came of age as a musician in the late 1940s. By the late 1950s he had emerged as a jazz giant and an unparalleled sax technician. In this biography, author John Selfridge follows the development of Coltrane’s musical talent and the rise of his career. The book is illustrated with historical photographs of Coltrane and his contemporaries, and it includes an extensive discography and lists of books and online resources for further study. This resource provides an ideal young adult’s introduction to one of the 20th century’s jazz giants.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level
Journey Into Art: Going Beyond First Glance (Print-Non-Fiction). Seymour, Dale, Pubns. (PRN), 1994. 134 p. ISBN 0-86651-731-6 ($70.75 pbk.).
Journey Into Art is a production of the Art Institute of Chicago. It encourages teachers and students to explore works of art from many different times and cultures. Twenty works from the museum’s collection serve as a starting point for learning experiences about the nature and value of art. The book is divided into five major sections: "Visual Language," "The Artist’s Tools," "Personal Expression," "Time Travel and World Travel," "Art and Culture." Each lesson begins with information about the concept, art works and artists included in the unit. Although the responding process differs from the format in the Arts Education Curriculum, the questions could be adapted to fit the context of the curriculum. Suggestions for further activities are provided and 20 full-colour overhead transparencies add to the usefulness of this resource.
Teachers should ensure that this resource is supplemented with information about Canadian artists.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level