Kindergarten

ABC for You and Me (Print-Non-Fiction). Girnis, Meg. Albert Whitman & Co. (GNP), 2000. unp. ISBN 0-8075-0101-8 ($23.95 hdc.).

Photographs of children with Down's syndrome are used to introduce the letters of the alphabet in this wonderful book. Simple words such as apple and ball accompany each photograph, and the items appear in the pictures. The authors of this book chose not to include an introductory or closing essay, nor a blurb about Down's syndrome. The pictures simply speak for themselves and the beauty of all children.
Suggested Use: Special Topic - Down's Syndrome
Other Use: English Language Arts: Elementary Level


All the Pretty Little Horses: A Traditional Lullaby (Print-Non-Fiction). Saport, Linda. Clarion Books (LRDC), 1999. 32 p. Order no. 18160 ($19.80 hdc.).

The introductory note in this book explains that this classic lullaby is thought to have its origins in slavery in the American South. Dreamy illustrations in colourful pastel show an African American woman rocking a baby on the porch in the rural South long ago. The music for the lullaby is included on the back page.
Suggested Use: Themes - Various
Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; English Language Arts: Elementary Level


Computers (Video). (Math Monsters Series). Math Monsters, Inc. (MGR), 2000. 15 min. Dup. order no. V627.

When Binary Bill sends a brand new computer to the castle, the Monsters plug it in and turn it on only to discover that Binary Bill has set certain challenges before they can log on. These challenges are in the form of exploratory math questions that allow the Monsters (and viewers) to see some of the playful sides of math. Once the questions have been addressed, though not necessarily with the "one and only correct answer," the monsters are treated to some of the wonderful variety of communication and learning possibilities the computer provides in the form of e-mail, the Internet, calculations and games.

Then, a field trip involves a visit to a working mathematician who explains how she uses computers and other math tools in her work.

A teacher's guide and teacher's utilization tape (V628) are available from Media Group.
Suggested Use: Themes - Various
Other Use: Mathematics: Elementary Level


Connections for Young Learners (Print-Non-Fiction). Moore, Nancy, et al. (Sci-Tech Connections Series). Curriculum Plus Publishing Company (CUB), 2001. 227 p. ISBN 1-55348-000-7 ($110.00 binder).

(CAN) This binder is useful in assisting new teachers to plan activity centres and themes that have an emphasis on children's explorations and investigations. It offers useful information on organizing activity centres such as the sand centre, the water centre, the listening centre, the construction centre and the library centre. It also suggests activities to support the 10 following themes:

• "Treasures"
  
• "Spinners"
  
• "Fairy Tales"
  
• "Denise Fleming"
  
• "Rolling Along"
  
• "Ready Set Clock"
  
• "Night and Day"
  
• "Mem Fox"
  
• "Snails and Shells"
  
• "Holes and Planting."