Foreword

Steps to a Multi-Resource Approach to Teaching Social Studies
Background Review
Analyzing Present Resources
Points for Consideration in Acquiring New Resources

Steps to a Multi-Resource Approach to Teaching Social Studies

This bibliography is designed to assist educators in choosing a variety of appropriate resources to support Social Studies: A Curriculum Guide for the Elementary Level (September 1995). Carefully selected, appropriate materials are key to the effectiveness of the Social Studies program.

The items listed are intended to promote the philosophy of resource-based learning in which the curriculum is supported by a variety of resources and instructional approaches. The resources in this bibliography include videorecordings, audiocassettes, kits, games, 16 mm films, CD-ROM, computer software and various print resources. This multi-resource approach provides students with opportunities to interact with a wide range of current materials in a variety of learning situations. It is important that human resources be accessed as well. Every community has capable people who can enrich educational experiences.

When using this bibliography as a selection aid, the following suggestions may be helpful.

Background Review

The resources in this bibliography are recommended to support the Social Studies curriculum. However, it remains the responsibility of educators to preview and select materials that best meet the needs of their particular schools and communities. These should be selected in accordance with the school division's materials selection policy. Several publications available from the Book Bureau (see "Distributor Directory") provide further assistance in the selection process. These include:

• Learning Resource Centres in Saskatchewan: A Guide for Development, 1988 - provides guidance for developing a selection policy and suggests criteria for selection.

• Diverse Voices: Selecting Equitable Resources for Aboriginal and Métis Education, 1995 - suggests strategies for recognizing and dealing with bias in resources.

• Aboriginal and Métis Education Policy From Kindergarten to Grade XII, 1995 - provides rationale and guidelines for integrating Aboriginal and Métis materials into curricula.

• Selecting Fair and Equitable Learning Materials, 1991 - suggests strategies useful for recognition of bias and stereotypes, and provides rationale for teacher concern.

• Selection Aids for Saskatchewan Schools, 1990 - lists resources useful in the selection process.

• bibliographies developed by Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment to support other elementary level curricula.

Analyzing Present Resources

• The bibliography should be cross-referenced with the school resource centre catalogue in order to identify suitable resources already present in the school library collection.

• Materials in the present collection should be assessed based on the needs of the curriculum, the community, the students and teachers. Considerations of needs include:

  (i) reflection of curricula philosophy
  (ii) accuracy, currency, readability
  (iii) relevance, adaptability and versatility of resources.

Points for Consideration in Acquiring New Resources

• Library wholesalers and distributors are sometimes willing to provide a display of recommended materials at the school division level so that educators may have the opportunity to preview materials before purchasing.

• Some distributors will provide preview copies of materials on a trial basis or will allow purchased items to be returned with a small restocking fee. For example, the Book Bureau will usually permit inappropriate items to be returned if they are in saleable condition. However, a 10% restocking fee of up to $2.00 per item will be charged.

• The video programs available for duplication from Media House Productions are high quality programs that can be acquired at a nominal cost. Schools are responsible for costs of postage, a duplication charge of $1.00 per title, blank tape and applicable taxes. A 10% reduction on the duplication charge is available when a complete series is ordered. Blank videotape may be supplied by the school or purchased from Media House Productions. Duplication order forms are available from Media House Productions. For further information, please consult the current Media House Productions catalogue of audiovisual resources. One is sent to each school yearly. The address, and telephone and fax numbers are listed in the "Distributor Directory."

Educators interested in purchasing material should contact the distributors listed in the "Distributor Directory" at the end of this document or place a special order for all materials (except Media House Production's materials) through the Book Bureau. For further information please contact the Book Bureau. The address, telephone and fax numbers are listed in the "Distributor Directory."

It should be noted that prices quoted do not include applicable taxes and are subject to change, but will serve as a guide to approximate costs. Book Bureau prices include shipping and handling fees, but most other distributors have an additional charge for shipping and handling. Schools are responsible for shipping and handling fees.

The 16 mm films listed may be borrowed from Media House Productions (except one title, which may be borrowed from UNICEF).

Please refer to the section "How to Use the Bibliography" for information on efficient use of the document.

It is hoped that these practical guidelines will assist educators in developing a highly useful, suitable collection of resources that meets the needs of both students and teachers.

Teachers are reminded that resource-based courses of study can be enhanced through the use of additional materials such as the following:

• newspapers and magazines
• environmental print such as signs
• posters, local maps, tourism brochures
• television and radio programming
• video and audiocassettes
• human resources, such as Elders and other local community members
• local resources, such as community histories or memoirs
• student writing

Saskatchewan Education, Training and Employment has provided, free of charge, one copy of this bibliography to each school with students in Grades 1 to 5. Additional copies may be purchased from the Book Bureau or schools may photocopy this publication. New recommended materials will be announced through a future Learning Resource Materials Update.