Titles and Descriptions: V
A Very Dangerous Pastime (Video). Canada Dance Festival (CDFE), 2000. 14 min. No order number is required. ($24.50).
(CAN) The matter of understanding contemporary dance is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to developing audiences. This video and booklet provide tools that an audience can draw on when viewing a dance performance. Canadian celebrities share their ideas about dance while visual examples of contemporary dance and historical clips demonstrate the range of styles and techniques that dance in Canada offers. The strongest message, however, is that in the end, the final step towards the enjoyment of dance is up to the individual. This is an excellent video for promoting discussions about dance.
The guide includes suggestions for before, during and after viewing.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Dance
The Vikings (Print-Non-Fiction). Chapman, Gillian. (Crafts From the Past Series). Heinemann Educational Bks (KRS), 2000. 32 p. ISBN 1-57572-410-3 ($22.99 hdc.).
This resource presents projects designed to recreate some of the arts and crafts found in the Viking culture. The activities include instructions for creating runestones, dragon figureheads and Viking coins. Information about the historical and cultural background and the significance of the specific art form is included with each activity. A list of materials necessary and illustrations showing the techniques for each project are included. A glossary of Viking terminology and art terms is located at the end of the book.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Social Studies: Grades 7-9
Village Tales (Compact Disc). Silk Road Music. Silk Road Music (SKR), n.d. CD - No order number is required. ($20.00). Book - No order number is required. ($20.00).
(CAN) Village Tales features 12 traditional Chinese folksongs translated into English, arranged for cross-cultural instrumentation, and performed in both English and Mandarin by singers from both cultures.
The 40-page booklet included with the CD contains sheet music for all the songs with lyrics in both languages. The booklet also contains Chinese pronunciation keys and background information about the instruments and songs.
A teacher-designed study guide offers suggestions for teachers who wish to extend the study of the Chinese culture.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music
Vision & Voice: Extending the Literacy Spectrum (Print-Non-Fiction). Rief, Linda. Pearson Education Canada (PRN), 1999. 94 p. ISBN 0-325-00097-2 ($28.90 pbk.).
Vision and Voice is a practical guide for teachers. Two comprehensive research projects form the core of the book. The first is an environmental study of the rainforest that integrates reading, writing, art, science and math. The second, centred on the textile mills of the Industrial Revolution, connects reading, writing and music. Extensive pictures and appendixes provide additional support for the projects. This resource provides a good model for a language-rich classroom. It shows how to extend the literary spectrum to include the visual and oral arts on a day-to-day basis.
The two projects are showcased on the CD included with the book.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Music; Visual Art
Other Use: English Language Arts: Grades 6 to 9