Resource-based Learning
Background Review: Selection Policy and Criteria for Selection
Analyzing Present Resources
Points for Consideration in Acquiring New Resources
Previewing Resources
Purchasing Resources
Videos
A Note About Classic Movies and Videos
Internet Sites
Virus Alert
This bibliography is a multi-resource listing of materials that have been evaluated by Saskatchewan educators and are considered appropriate for support of the english Language Arts 10 Curriculum. The purpose of this listing is to provide teachers with suggested starting points toward building a wide range of suitable instructional materials.
The lists of materials in this bibliography are offered only as suggestions; teachers are encouraged to investigate other applicable resources and to select additional suitable materials.
Saskatchewan Education has provided one copy of this bibliography to every school with students at the Secondary Level. Additional copies are available from the Learning Resource Distribution Centre (LRDC), formerly known as the Book Bureau. This publication may be photocopied.
The items listed are intended to promote the philosophy of resource-based learning, in which the students gain knowledge and understandings through a variety of resources and instructional approaches. In addition to various print materials, the bibliography lists posters, compact discs, audiocassettes, videos, CD-ROMs, and kits. This multi-resource approach provides students with opportunities to interact with a wide range of current materials to suit varied learning styles.
To implement this curriculum effectively, teachers will need copies of anthologies, novels, full-length non-fiction works, plays, and media resources. A well-balanced collection of classroom resources includes both print and non-print materials comprising several genres.
The bibliography includes several picture books or books with a significant visual focus. Picture books often present issues or ideas in brief, dramatic text and use visuals that promote discussion and that support the viewing component of the curriculum.
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
• pamphlets, brochures
• television and radio programming
• environmental print, such as posters
• student writing
• internet sites, such as language arts organizations and writing groups
• public library collections, including the National Library of Canada
• local resources, such as community histories or family memoirs.
It is important that human resources be accessed as well. Every community has capable people who can enrich educational experiences. Local and provincial personnel include storytellers, public librarians, historians, Elders, writers, and writers in residence. To assist schools in accessing human resources, lists of organizations have been included in the bibliography.
As outlined in Saskatchewan Education's Aboriginal and Métis Education Policy From Kindergarten to Grade XII, teachers and teacher-librarians are reminded to include works by and about Aboriginal and Métis peoples in their units of study.
Teachers can provide for individual differences by considering variances such as the following:
• culturally diverse content
• familiarity of vocabulary
• complexity of sentence structure
• length of the work
• level of abstraction
• maturity of theme.
When selecting resources, the following suggestions may be helpful.
Background Review: Selection Policy and Criteria for Selection
The bibliography provides suggestions for resources. However, it remains the responsibility of classroom teachers, in consultation with teacher-librarians, to preview and select materials. Selection should be based on the objectives of the curriculum, students' interests and language abilities, students' prior knowledge and experience, and the interests or needs of the community.
As well, material should be considered in terms of the following characteristics:
• literary quality
• cultural relevance and accuracy
• country of origin
• equity regarding gender, age, and race
• reflection of the curriculum's philosophy
• accuracy
• ease of reading
• relevance to current issues
• adaptability.
Materials should be chosen in accordance with the school division's materials selection policy. Several publications available from the LRDC provide further assistance in the selection process. These include:
Diverse Voices: Selecting Equitable Resources for Aboriginal and Métis Education, 1992 - suggests strategies for recognizing and dealing with bias in resources.
english Language Arts 10: A Curriculum Guide for the Secondary Level, 1997 - provides goals, contexts, and strategies for using resources.
Aboriginal and Métis Education Policy From Kindergarten to Grade XII, 1995 - provides rationale and guidelines for integrating Aboriginal and Métis materials into curricula.
Learning Resource Centres in Saskatchewan: A Guide for Development, 1988 - provides guidance for developing a selection policy and suggests criteria for selection.
Policy for english Language Arts Kindergarten to Grade Twelve, 1989 - provides the basic philosophy of the curriculum.
Selecting Fair and Equitable Materials, 1991 - suggests strategies useful for recognition of bias and stereotypes.
Selection Aids for Saskatchewan Schools, 1990 - lists resources useful in the selection process.
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. To support this process, the bibliography includes lists of older resources and out of print resources that many schools may have purchased in previous years.
The Media Index, Index of Suggested Uses, Author Index, and Thematic Index of Titles and Selections are useful checklists for identifying resources already present in the school library collection. Teachers may use these indexes to ensure a balance of print and non-print resources within each language process.
Materials in the present collection should be assessed based on the needs of the curriculum, the community, the students, and teachers.
Points for Consideration in Acquiring New Resources
Resource needs not met by the present collection could be identified by the teachers and teacher-librarian working together. Some materials may be useful for several grade levels and subject areas. Teachers are encouraged to co-ordinate material selection at the school or school division level.
Teachers and teacher-librarians are urged to preview materials carefully before suggesting them for classroom use, and are advised to refer to their school division's selection policy for guidance in making choices about materials.
Library wholesalers and distributors are sometimes willing to provide a display of recommended materials at the school division level, giving educators the opportunity to preview materials prior to purchase.
If schools have not been able to preview the materials prior to purchase, it is advisable to order only one copy to review before placing orders for multiple copies. Return policies vary from company to company, but if inappropriate materials have to be returned, they must be in saleable condition. The LRDC will allow most materials to be returned. A 10% restocking fee of up to $2.00 per returned item will be charged.
Schools interested in purchasing resources listed in the bibliography should contact the distributors cited in the Distributor Directory or special order them from the LRDC (except materials from Media Group Incorporated or Media House Productions). In many cases, the resources are distributed through the LRDC. Prices quoted are subject to change and do not include taxes, but will serve as a guide to approximate costs. LRDC prices include shipping and handling fees. A 10% restocking fee of up to $2.00 per returned item will be charged.
Several of the videos listed are available from Media House Productions (MHP) until June 20, 1997. As of July, 1997, orders for duplication will be filled by Media Group Incorporated (MGR). These videos are high quality programs that can be acquired at a nominal cost. Please consult the current Media House Productions catalogue. Schools are responsible for postage, a duplication charge of $1.00 per title, blank tapes, and applicable taxes. Blank tapes may be supplied by the school or purchased from Media House Productions. Please refer to the Distributor Directory for the addresses, fax, and telephone numbers.
A Note About Classic Movies and Videos
Please note that if classic movies or other videos are to be shown in the classroom legally, schools must obtain public performance rights. These public performance rights are cleared for programs available from Media House Productions and Media Group Incorporated. However, if the program is not available from Media House Productions or Media Group Incorporated, the distributor must be contacted.
Sometimes schools or school divisions choose to purchase a license from a video collective. The benefit of having a license is that teachers can show to their students any videos produced by the companies represented without violating copyright laws. If a general licence is purchased, teachers are responsible for renting or borrowing the videos. The distributor does not supply them.
Another option is for schools or school divisions to buy a single-title license. This means that one copy of the video is supplied by the distributor and that teachers are allowed to show it to their students until the license expires.
Saskatchewan Education is providing links to educational internet sites as part of the Evergreen Curriculum. Evaluators are needed. If you are interested in suggesting and/or reviewing websites please register using the online form. Once you are registered you will receive information about the evaluation procvedure.
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http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/curr_inst/iru/register.html
Information on sites that are recommended will be shared with teachers through the Evergreen WebSite Database at:
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http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/urlsearch.html
Other English Language Arts Resources are available in the Evergreen Curriculum:
• http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/
elarts.html
A discussion area for english Language Arts is located at:
• http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/
wwwboard/wwwboard.html
When downloading files and applications, internet users should be aware of the danger of viruses. Downloaded files and applications should always be scanned using an anti-virus utility. It is also advisable to purchase updates to the anti-virus utility regularly. These updates identify the new viruses as well as the old.