Art 5

Arts
Grades 5-8

Dance Resources

Print and Media Resources

Au, Susan. (1998). Ballet and Modern Dance. London: Thames and Hudson.
0500202192. $14.95 (pbk).
Covers 16th century court ballet to recent trends today. Well-illustrated and informative.
Audience: Grades 5,6,7,8,
Subjects: Dance.
Standard: Dance 1.14, 2.11, 5.5, 5.8 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2.
Strand: the Arts, Connections.

Bowes, Deborah. (1999). The Ballet Book: The Young Performer’s Guide to Classical Dance. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. 143 pages, 1552093522, $19.95.
Written by a teacher at Canada’s National Ballet School, this book gives students practical advice (how to choose a studio and teacher, what to wear, exercises that promote flexibility, etc.), as well as teaching steps, positions, etc. of classical ballet.
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Ballet.
Standard: Dance 1.10, 1.14.
Strand: Dance.

Bussell. Darcey. (1994). The Young Dancer. New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 1564584682, $15.95.
This book was created in association with the Royal Ballet School and demonstrates how to perform poses and movements. Includes information on ballet companies and a glossary. Illustrated.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Ballet.
Standard: Dance 1.10, 1.14 Connections 7.4.
Strand: Dance, Connections.

Ford, Carin. (2000). Legends of American Dance and Choreography. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow. 112 pages, 0766013782, $19.95.
Looks at 10 well-known dancers and choreographers, including Martha Graham, Fred Astaire, and Twyla Tharp. There are two black-and-white photos of each artist to accompany the text.
Audience: Grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Subjects: Dancers—United States--Biography. Choreographers.
Standard: Dance 1.14 Connections: 6.3, 6.4 7.2, 7.4, 8.4.
Strand: Dance, Connections.

Freedman, Russell. (1998). Martha Graham: A Dancer’s Life. New York: Clarion Books. 175 pages. 0395746558. $18.00.
Well-illustrated with black-and-white photos. An excellent resource for students interested in reading a detailed biography about a dancer pursuing her own dance style.
Audience: Grades 5, 6,7, 8.
Subjects: Graham, Martha. Women dancers -- United States. Choreographers.
Standard: Connections 7.2, 7.4, 8.4.
Strand: Connections.

Grau, Dr. Andree. (2000). Dance (Eyewitness Books). New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 0789466252, $19.99.
An excellent resource for learning a little about dances from all over the world.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Dance.
Standard: Dance 1.14 Connections: 6.3, 6.4 7.2, 7.4, 8.5.
Strand: Dance, Connections.

Jessel, Camilla. (1999). Ballet School: What it Takes to Make A Dancer. New York: Penguin Putnam. 63 pages, 0670886289, $15.99.
Discusses taking classes, auditions, poses and movements, ballet over the centuries, and other topics. Glossary; illustrated.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Ballet.
Standard: Dance 1.14 Connections: 6.3, 6.4 7.2, 7.4, 8.5.
Strand: Dance, Connections.

Jonas, Gerald. (1992). Dancing: the Pleasure, Power, and Art of Movement. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 0810927918. $24.95.
A beautifully illustrated book that explores great dance traditions to illuminate the many roles of dance in cultures around the world. Describes dance traditions from six
continents.
Audience: An excellent resource for teachers.
Subjects: Dance.
Standard: Dance 1.14, 3.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 8.5.
Strand: Dance, Connections

Kirstein, Lincoln. (1984). Four Centuries of Ballet: Fifty Masterworks. New York: Dover Publications.
290 pages. 0486246310 (pbk). $16.95.
Kirstein surveys the five components of theatrical dance – choreography, gesture and mime, music, costume, scenery and d�cor – and traces their development over 400 years. Nearly 500 black and white illustrations.
Audience: Grades 5-8.
Subjects: Dance, Music.
Standard: Dance 1.14, 3.5, 3.6, 5.8 Connections 6.3, 6.4.
Strand: Dance, Connections.

Pinkney, Andrea Davis and Brian Pinkney. (1993). Alvin Ailey. New York: Hyperion. 32 pages, 0786810777 (pbk), $4.95.
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Ailey, Alvin. Choreographers. Picture Book.
Standard: Dance 1.14 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.4.
Strand: Dance, Connections.

Price, Leontyne. (1990). Aida. San Diego: Gulliver Books. 32 pages. 015200405X. $19.00.
This picture book by opera singer Leontyne Price retells the story of Verdi’s opera in which the love of the enslaved Ethiopian princess for an Egyptian general brings tragedy to all involved. Caldecott Medal winners, Leo and Diane Dillon, have illustrated the story with acrylics on acetate and marbleized paper, making it a valuable resource in the art classroom, as well.
Audience: Grades 5-8. Reading level grades 2-3.
Subjects: Aida. Opera. Picture book.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2.
Strand: Connections.

Tythacott, Louise. (1995). Dance (Traditions Around the World). New York: Thomson Learning. 48p., 1568472757, $20.00.
Introduces dance from four continents and the Pacific islands. Well-illustrated.
Audience: Grades 5,6.
Subjects: Dance.
Standard: Dance 1.14 Connections: 6.3, 6.4 7.2, 7.4, 8.5.
Strand: Dance, Connections.

Arts
Grades 5-8

Dance Resources

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

American Ballet Theatre. (no date provided). American Ballet Theatre.
This site has biographical information and photographs of each dancer, information about the company’s history, and wonderful photo essays. Provides information about jobs, educational programs, and membership to the ABT.
URL: http://www.abt.org/ Free
Audience: Grades 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
Subjects: Ballet .
Standard: Connections: 8.4.
Strand: Connections.

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Arts
Grades 5-8

Music Resources

Skip down to Web Sites

Print and Media Resources

Ganeri, Anita. (1996). The Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Company. 56 pages, 0152013040, $25.
This book looks at each section of the orchestra, composers, great orchestras, instruments of the world, and playing in and running an orchestra. Includes a CD of music by British composer Benjamin Britten, which is narrated by Ben Kingsley.
Audience: Grades 5,6.
Subjects: Orchestra. Music appreciation.
Standard: Connections 7.3, 7.4.
Strand: Music

George-Warren, Holly. (2001). Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Unpaged, 0618055401, $15.
Rather similar to Katherine Krull’s books, this book introduces 14 rock musicians, including Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, and Elvis. Wonderfully illustrated with acrylic/mixed media paintings by Laura Levine.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Rock Musicians--Biography.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.4, 9.2.
Strand: Music.

Geras, Adele. (1997). The Random House Book of Opera Stories. New York: Random House, 127 pages, 0679893156, $30.00.
Retelling of 8 well-known operas accompanied by brief biographies of each composer and illustrations (including costume sketches).
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Operas.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 8.5,
Strand: Music.

Gottlieb, Robert and Robert Kimball. (2000). Reading Lyrics. New York: Pantheon Books. 896 pages. 0375400818. $39.50.
The best of American and English lyrics, presented like poems. 1000 lyrics from 1900 to 1975, presented chronologically, by Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, and others.
Audience: Teachers of grades 5 and up.
Subjects: Lyrics--American, Lyric--British.
Standard: Music 1.8 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.4
Strand: Music.

Karolyi, Otto. (1998). Traditional African & Oriental Music. London: Penguin.
288 pages. 0140231072. $13.95 (pbk). This reference book examines the musical traditions of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Japan, Indonesia, Tibet, and China, as well as the Arabic musical tradition. Black and white illustrations include traditional instruments, and reveal harmony and melody in sections of songs.
Audience: Grades 5,6,7,8.
Subjects: Music--Africa, Music--Asia
Standard:Connections 7.2, 8.5
Strand: Music, Connections.

Koscielniak, Bruce. (2000). The Story of the Incredible Orchestra. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Unpaged, 0395960525, $15.00.
This well-illustrated picture book discusses various periods in the orchestra's history (baroque, classical, romantic), and provides information about the instruments.
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6.
Subjects: Orchestra. Picture book.
Standard: Connections 7.3, 7.4.
Strand: Music.

Krull, Katherine. (1993). Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought). San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Co. 96 pages, 0152480102, $20.
Did you know that Mozart liked to play pool? Learn about the lives of 20 musicians, from Vivaldi to Woody Guthrie. A glossary of musical terms and a list of resources for further reading and listening are included.
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6.
Subjects: Musicians--Biography.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 8.5.
Strand: Music.

Lester, Julius. (2001). The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World. New York: Jump at the Sun (Hyperion). 47 pages, 0786804637, $15.99.
Biographies on Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, James Brown, and more. Includes bibliography and discography. Colorful paintings of each musician by Lisa Cohen.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Blues Musicians. Blues (Music).
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.4.
Strand: Music.

Levine, Robert. (2001). The Story of the Orchestra. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. 96 pages, 1579121489, $20.
Includes a CD with 41 selections from great composers. A colorful, fun book.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Orchestra. Musical Instruments.
Standard: Connections 7.3, 7.4.
Strand: Music.

Miller, Hugh M. and Dale Cockrell. (1991). History of Western Music. New York: Harper Collins. 320 pages. 0064671070 (pbk). $15.00. From Antiquity through the 20th century, with timelines. An excellent reference book.
Audience: An excellent resource for teachers and high school students.
Subjects: Music--History
Standard:Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.4, 8.5
Strand: Music, Connections.

Monceaux, Morgan. (1994). Jazz: My Music, My People. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 64 pages, 0679856188, $18.00.
Beautifully illustrated with pastels, paint, markers, and multimedia collage. Foreward by acclaimed jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Over 40 brief biographies of those who made jazz what it is today. Contains a glossary.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Jazz Musicians--Biography.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 8.4.
Strand: Music.

Parouty, Michel. (1993). Mozart: From Child Prodigy to Tragic Hero. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
0810928469. $12.95 (pbk). Well-illustrated, with primary sources, including Mozart’s letters, newspaper articles from the time, etc.
Audience: Grades 5,6,7,8.
Subjects: Mozart
Standard:Connection6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5
Strand: Music, Connections.

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. (1998). Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra. New York: Hyperion. unpaged, 0786801786, $15.95.
This picture book serves double duty as a biography of the great jazz composer and an excellent example of a work by a children’s book illustrator. Brian Pinkney employs his scratch technique to illustrate his wife’s lyrical text.
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6
Subjects: Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974. Jazz musicians. Picture book.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 8.4.
Strand: Music.

Randel, Don Michael. (1996). The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. 0674372999.
$39.95.
This biographical dictionary emphasizes classical and art music, but also covers jazz, blues, pop, hymns, and show tunes. Includes composers, performers, music theorists, and instrument makers.
Audience: Grades 5,6,7,8.
Subjects: Music--Biography
Standard:Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 8.4, 8.5, 9.2, 9.3
Strand: Music.

Randel, Don Michael. (1999). The New Harvard Dictionary of Music. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. 0674615255. $39.95.
A one-volume music dictionary with nearly 6,000 entries and more than 220 drawings.
Audience: an excellent reference book for middle and high school libraries.
Subjects: Music--Dictionaries
Standard:Connections 7.2
Strand: Music, Connections

Shange, Ntozake and Romare Bearden. (1994). I Live in Music. New York: Stewart Tabori & Chang. unpaged, 1556703724, $15.00.
The lyrical text by Ntozake Shange places the reader right into the heart of a musician. “Sound, falls round me like rain on other folks” Shange writes, inviting the reading to experience music with all the senses. The poem is enhanced by the collage-style paintings of Romare Bearden.
Audience: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Music--Poetry. Bearden, Romare, 1911-1988. Picture book.
Standard: Connections: 6.3, 8.4.
Strand: Music.

Siberell, Anne. (2001). Bravo! Brava! A Night at the Opera: Behind the Scene with Composers, Cast, and Crew. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 64 pages, 0195139666, $19.95.
This wonderful introduction to the opera reveals what it takes to make an opera happen. Each person’s role is producing an opera is explained. Includes a synopsis of 27 popular operas, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading. Watercolor illustrations.
Audience: Grades 5, 6.
Subjects: Opera.
Standard: Theatre 4.8 Connections 7.3, 7.4, 8.5.
Strand: Theatre, Music.

Tate, Eleanora. (2000). African American Musicians (Black Stars series). New York: Wiley. 170 pages, 0471253561, $22.95.
A collective biography that features musicians from the 1800s to the present, including Scott Joplin, Marian Anderson, Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, and more. It begins with Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (1809-1876) and ends with Queen Latifah. Includes a chronology and bibliography.
Audience: Grades 6, 7, 8, 9.
Subjects: African-American Musicians--Biography.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 8.4.
Strand: Music.

Ward, Geoffrey C. and Ken Burns. (2000). Jazz: A History of America’s Music. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 490 pages. 06794451X. $65.00.
The companion volume to the ten-part PBS series. As much a history text as a music reference book, this book has more than 500 photographs. Teachers can make use of the videos, web site (http://www.pbs.org/jazz), and kid’s web site, as well to supplement this book.
Audience: Grades 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
Subjects: Jazz -- History, Jazz -- Pictorial works
Standard:6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.4, 8.4, 9.2, 9.3, 10.2
Strand: Music, Connections.

Arts
Grades 5-8

Music Resources

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

Beckett, Samuel & Jason Williams (1999). Energy in the Air: Sounds from the Orchestra.
An excellent student-created web site that allows one to hear the different instruments, learn about each instrument, and includes activities that teach about vibration and sound. RealPlayer needs to be installed in order to hear the music...this can be downloaded by looking at the web site in advance.
URL: http://www.junior.thinkquest.org/5116
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6.
Subjects: Orchestra. Musical instruments.
Standard: Music 5.7, 5.8.
Strand: Music.

Blackwell, Brian and Andre Dauwalder. (1998). The Symphony – An Interactive Guide.
Two high school students won a ThinkQuest award for this site, which includes
a timeline, excellent biographical info on composers, citations and references, a glossary and a guide to the instruments and layout of the orchestra. Students can listen to symphonies, learn about the four movements in a symphony, take a quiz, and use links.
URL: http://library.thinkquest.org/22673/index.html. Free.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Symphony.
Standard:Music 5.8 Connections 7.2
Strand: Music, Connections

Duke University. (1999). Historic American Sheet Music.
This is a wonderful site for getting sheet music from 1850 to 1920. Battle songs from the Civil War, songs from WWI, and more.
URL: http://www.scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/sheetmusic/ Free
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Historical and Patriotic music.
Standard: Music 1.8 Connections 6.3, 8.4.
Strand: Music,.

Glass, Sean. (1998). All That Jazz.
Listen to jazz music and learn about the history of jazz at this web site created by high school students.
URL: http://library.thinkquest.org/18602/full/fullstart/indexfull.html.Free.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Jazz
Standard:Music 5.8, Connections 7.2, 8.4, 9.3, 10.2
Strand: Music, Connections

The Kennedy Center. (date unavailable). ARTSEDGE.
An excellent site for teachers with complete lesson plans in all areas of the arts (performing, visual, and design). Music lessons include: voice ranges, rhythm, Vivaldi, Spirituals, Louis Armstrong, and more. The civil war music lesson is especially noteworthy. Excellent curriculum web links also.
URL: http://www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org/teaching_materials/curricula/artsedge.html Free
Audience: Teachers grades 1-12.
Subjects: Visual Arts. Design Arts. Performing Arts.
Standard: all.
Strand: Music,.

Nelson, Lesley. (2000). Popular Song in American History.
Lyrics to American folk and traditional music from the 17th century into the 1900s. Songs of the sea and songs of other countries are included. Links to folk music web sites.
URL: http://www.contemplator.com/america/index.html. Free.
Audience: Teachers. Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Folk songs--American.
Standard: Music 1.8     Connections 6.3, 8.4.
Strand: Music,.

PBS. (2000). PBS--Jazz a Film by Ken Burns.
This web site is a companion to both the videos and book and has audio samples,
biographies, lesson plans, and more. Students can click on JazzKids to see a
timeline, listen to instruments, etc.
URL: http://www.pbs.org/jazz/    Free
Audience: Teachers. Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Jazz.
Standard: Music 5.7, 5.8     Connections 6.3, 8.4.
Strand: Music,.

ThinkQuest Team 17321. (1998). Hooked on Symphonies.
Read and listen to Prokofiev’s opus Peter and the Wolf: the site explains how each character is represented by an instrument. This site was created by high school students.
URL: http://library.thinkquest.org/17321/. Free.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Symphonies, Peter and the Wolf.
Standard:Music 5.8 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 8.5
Strand: Music, Connections

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Arts
Grades 5-8

Theatre Resources

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Print and Media Resources

Aagesen, Colleen. (1999). Shakespeare for Kids: His Life and Times. Chicago: Chicago Review Press. 144 pages, 1556523475, $16.95.
An excellent resource for teachers with 21 activities that introduce students to Elizabethan times. Illustrated.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William.
Standard: Theatre 2.6, 2.7 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.4.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Aliki. (1999). William Shakespeare & the Globe. New York: Harper Collins. 48 p., 0060278218, $16.
This well-illustrated book includes quotations from Shakespeare’s plays and colloquial expressions that Shakespeare originated.
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William. Globe Theatre.
Standard: Theatre 2.7, 3.2 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.4.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Claybourne, Anna. (1996). The World of Shakespeare. London: Usborne. 64 pages, 0746024541, $9.95.
A typical Usborne book that looks at all aspects of the theatre.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William.
Standard: Theatre 4.8 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.4.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Coville, Bruce. (1996). William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. New York: Dial. 63 pages. 0803717849, $16.99.
This illustrated adaptation of the play provides an excellent introduction to Shakespeare’s work.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Comedies.
Standard: Theatre 2.7, 3.2 Connections 6.3.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Coville, Bruce. (1997). William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. New York: Dial. 48 pages. 0803718993, $ 16.99 .
This illustrated adaptation of the play provides an excellent introduction to Shakespeare’s work.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Standard: Theatre 2.7, 3.2 Connections 6.3.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Coville, Bruce. (1999). William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. New York: Dial. 40 pages. 0803724624, $16.99.
This illustrated adaptation of the play provides an excellent introduction to Shakespeare’s work.
Audience: 4, 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Standard: Theatre 2.7, 3.2 Connections 6.3.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Evans, Cheryl. (1992). Acting & Theatre. London: Usborne Pub. Ltd. 64 pages, 0746006993, $9.95.
Discusses voice, improvisation, characters, learning lines, the set, props, costume, make-up, lighting, sound, jobs, the history of European theatre, and the history of Asian theatre (Kabuki, Peking opera, Balinese dance). Includes a Who’s Who of playwrights and a glossary.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Acting. Theatre.
Standard: Theatre 4.8 Connections 6.3, 8.5.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Ganeri, Anita. (1999). The Young Person’s Guide to Shakespeare.   San Diego: Harcourt Brace. 64 pages, 0152021019, $25.
This well-illustrated book about Shakespeare’s life and works includes a CD that allows students to listen to speeches from some of Shakespeare’s works, as performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Standard: Theatre 2.7, 3.2    Connections6.3, 6.4, 7.2.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Langley, Andrew. (1999). Shakespeare’s Theatre. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 48 pages, 0199105650, $18.95.
This book tells about the Globe of Shakespeare’s day and the New Globe, which was reconstructed and opened in 1997. Watercolor illustrations.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Globe Theatre (Southwark, London, England).
Standard: Connections 7.4.
Strand: Connections.

Nesbit, E., ed. (1999) The Best of Shakespeare. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 12 pages, 0195132130, $9.95.
British children’s author E. Nesbit retells 10 of Shakespeare’s plays, including Hamlet, Macbeth, and The Merchant of Venice. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs from modern theater company productions.
Audience: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
Standard: Theatre 2.7, 3.2 Connections6.3, 6.4, 7.2.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Vennema, Peter. (1998). Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare. New York: William Morrow & Company. 48 pages. 0688162940(pbk.), $5.95.
In this picture book biography, students learn as much about the Elizabethan theater as they do about the playwright. Illustrated by Diane Stanley.
Audience: Grades 5,6,7,8.
Subjects: Shakespeare, William. Picture book.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.4.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Arts
Grades 5-8

Theatre Resources

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

Thinkquest. (date not available). Children’s Creative Theater.
Created by four 5th-6th graders, this site has a great history of the theater section, quizzes, vocabulary, and ideas for activities.
URL: http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5291/?tqskip=1 Free
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Theatre.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 7.2.
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

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Arts
Grades 5-8

Visual Arts Resources

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Print and Media Resources

The Art of North America. [Video]. (Available from Clearvue). A16VH 1915, 66 minutes, $80.00.
This video looks at past and present artwork from prehistoric Indians, Eskimos, and Native Americans. Includes black-and white-prints and a teacher’s guide.
Audience: Grades 7, 8, 9.
Subjects: Native Americans--Art.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5,5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4,7.2, 8.4.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Ayo, Yvonne. (1995). Africa (Eyewitness Books). New York: Knopf. 64 pages, 0789466104, $19.99.
An introduction to the kingdoms and people of pre-colonial Africa, this book has beautiful photographs and illustrations of African art and crafts.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Subjects: African History. African Social life and customs.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5., 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5, 9.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Baquedano, Elizabeth. (2000). Aztec, Inca, and Maya (Eyewitness Books).   New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 0789461153, $15.95.
This book includes information about music and dance, masks, objects made from precious stones and metals, pottery, weaving and spinning, daily life, hunting and fishing, religious life, etc., using photographs of artifacts and temples to illustrate throughout.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Subjects: Aztecs. Incas. Mayas.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5., 5.6    Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Barber, Antonia. (1998). Apollo & Daphne. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum Publications. 45 pages, 0892365048, $16.95.
Masterworks of art by Botticelli, Rembrandt, Raphael, and others are accompanied by the myths that were their inspiration. Fifteen myths are included in this beautiful volume.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Mythology. Greek. Painting.
Standard: Visual Arts 1.7, 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Begay, Shonto. (1995). Navajo: Visions and Voices Across the Mesa. New York: Scholastic. 48 pages, 0590461532, $16.95.
The paintings and poems of contemporary Navajo artist and writer Shonto Begay enable students to gain a perspective of the Navajo through the artist’s eyes.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Navajo Indians--Poetry.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.4.
Strand: Connections.

Belloli, Andrea. (1999). Exploring World Art. Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Museum. 116 pages, 0892365102, $24.95.
This book puts Western Art into a broader global context and looks at artistic treatment of such themes as daily life, history and myth, and nature. Includes color illustrations and maps.
Audience: Grades
Subjects: Art - Themes, motives. Art appreciation.
Standard: Visual Arts 1.7, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7 Connections: 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5, 9.2, 9.3, 10.2
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Bernard, Bruce. (2000). Van Gogh. New York: Dorling Kindersley Pub. 64 pages, 0789448785, $19.95
This beautifully illustrated book describes Van Gogh’s life with incredible detail, discusses his work, and shows the types of methods and materials Van Gogh used.
Audience: Grades 7, 8. 9. 10.
Subjects: Gogh, Vincent van.
Standard: Visual Arts 1.7, 5.5 Connections 7.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Bohm-Duchen. (1991). An Usborne Introduction to Understanding Modern Art. London: Usborne Pub. 64 pages, 0746004753, $9.95.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Art, Modern--20th Century.
Standard: Visual Arts 1.7, 5.5, 5.6. Connections 6.3, 6.4, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Chambers, Veronica. (1998). The Harlem Renaissance. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Pub. 128 pages, 0791025977, $19.95.
Includes accounts of the leading artists of this black community: the writers, musicians, and intellectuals. An excellent overview of the social and political forces of the 1920s. The author also looks at individual works of art from a social and an aesthetic point of view. Illustrated.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Subjects: African American arts. Harlem Renaissance.
Standard: Visual Arts: 1.7, 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.4, 8.4, 10.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Caraway, Caren. (1987). African Designs of the Congo, Nigeria, the Cameroons and the Guinea Coast. Owings Mills, Md. : Stemmer House. 140 pages, 0880450932 (pbk), $15.95.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Decoration and Ornament--Africa.
Standard: Visual Arts 1.7, 5.5.5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5, 9.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Clarke, Michael. (2000). Watercolor (DK Eyewitness Books). New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 078945584-6, $15.95.
Looks at the history of water color art from the Egyptian tomb paintings to the 20th century.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Subjects: Water color painting.
Standard: Visual Arts 1.7, 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 8.5.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Clay, Rebecca. (1995). The Arts. Rourke Publishing, Inc., Vero Beach, FL.
0866255516. $30.00.
One of a series of 6 books on Native Latin American Cultures, each with a different theme. This book covers: Northwestern Mexico, Central Mexico (The Aztecs, etc.), The Maya, the Caribbean Coast, the Andes, and the Amazon Basin. Well-illustrated, with age-appropriate text and a glossary.
Audience: Grades 5, 6,7,8
Subjects: Native American Art
Standard: Visual Arts 5.6. Connections 6.3, 7.2, 8.4,10.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Cole, Alison. (2000). Perspective (DK Eyewitness Books). New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 0789455854, $15.95.
In association with The National Gallery, London, this book contains full-color reproductions of Western art and is an excellent resource for learning about perspective.
Audience: Grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Subjects: Perspective.
Standard: Visual Arts 2.8, 5.5 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 10.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Cole, Alison. (2000). Renaissance (Eyewitness). New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 078945582X, $15.95.
This book covers: famous artists (Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Durer, Titian, Raphael, Michelangelo), cities (Rome, Venice, Florence, Siena), and discusses movements, classical inspiration, ideals of beauty, religious images, and the artist’s role. Contains a chronology and glossary.
Audience: Grades 7, 8.
Subjects: Art, Renaissance.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 6.6, 5.7 Connections: 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 9.2
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Cotterell, Arthur. (2000). Ancient China (Eyewitness Books). New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 078946604X, $15.95.
Using photographs of artifacts such as embroidery, carvings, bronze ware, ceramics, and cloisonne to illustrate, this book discusses gardens of Heaven, the Silk Road, home life, life in the fields, book making, and more.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Subjects: China--Civilization.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5, 9.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Cummings, Pat (1992). Talking with Artists. New York: Bradbury Press. 96 pages. 0027242455. $18.95.
In this book, children's book illustrator Pat Cummings interviewed 14 children's book illustrators, including Leo and Diane Dillon, Jerry Pinkney, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Wiesner.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Illustrators -- Children's literature
Standard: Visual Arts 5.6. Connections 6.3, 7.2, 8.4, 10.2
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections

Cummins, Julie. (1999). Wings of an Artist: Children’s Book Illustrators Talk About Their Art. Harry N. Abrams. 31 pages, 0810945525, $17.95.
More than 20 illustrators, including Maurice Sendak, Maira Kalman and James Ransome, talk about their art.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Illustrators.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.4, 7.3, 8.4.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Dorling Kindersley. (1994). The Visual Dictonary of Ancient Civilizations (Eyewitness Visual Dictionaries). London: Dorling Kindersley Limited. 64 pages, 1564587010, $18.95.
A brief look at the following civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Celts, Greece, North and South America, China, India, and Japan. Well-illustrated.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Civilization-Ancient.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5, 9.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Dorling Kindersley. (1992). Visual Dictionary of Buildings. New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 1564581020, $16.95.
Audience: Grades 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Architecture--Dictionaries. Buildings.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.7 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5, 9.2, 9.3, 10.2
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Duggleby, John. (1998). Story Painter: The Life of Jacob Lawrence. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 55 pages, 0811820823, $16.95.
A biography of the African-American painter who used his art to tell stories about historical events in the lives of his people.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Lawrence, Jacob, 1917-2000. African-Americans in Art.
Standard: 1.7, 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 7.2, 8.4
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Elleman, Barbara. (1999). Tomie DePaola: His Art and His Stories. New York: G.P. Putnam. 218 pages, 0399231293, $38.95. This is a great book for learning more about DePaola’s life, stories, and art.
Audience: Grades 6, 7, 8, 9.
Subjects: DePaola, Tomie. Illustrators.
Standards: Visual Arts 5.5 Connections 7.3
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Freeman, Linda. Faith Ringgold Paints Crown Heights. [Video]. (Available from libraryvideo.com). 5A0054, 28 minutes, $39.95.
This video discusses the creation of a quilt created to represent the 12 diverse cultures of Brooklyn’s Crown Heights.
Audience: Grades 7, 8.
Subjects: Ringgold, Faith. Quilts.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6 Connections 8.4.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Gherman, Beverly. (2000). Norman Rockwell: Storyteller with a Brush. New York: Simon & Schuster. 58 pages, 06898200101, $19.95.
Color reproductions of Rockwell’s paintings, as well as photos of the artist and his family accompany the easy to read text. This is a useful book to use in a social studies class to look at different eras in American history.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Rockwell, Norman.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6 Connections 7.3, 6.3
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Giudici, Vittorio. (2000). The Sistine Chapel; Its History and Masterpieces. Chicago: Peter Bedrick. 48 pages, 0872266389, $16.95.
This is a beautifully illustrated book that tells about the Chapels history, the frescoes, and the Florentine workshops.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6, 5.7 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections

Glubok, Shirley. (1994). Painting (Great Lives series). Atheneum.
246 pages. 0684190524. $24.95.
A brief introduction to the lives and works of 23 European and American painters, including Michelangelo, Rembrandt, O’Keefe, Cassatt. Good information on the influences on each artist, as well as excellent background information on the time periods and places in which the artists lived.
Audience: Grades 5, 6,7,8
Subjects: Artists, Painting
Standard: Visual Arts 1.7, 5.5 Connections 6.3, 7.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Green, Jen and others. (2000). The Encyclopedia of the Ancient Americas. London: Southwater Publishing Limited. 256 pages, 784215186X, $29.99.
Discusses the Aztec, Maya, Inca, North American Indians, and the Arctic peoples. Full of easy projects for readers to do at home or in the classroom. Color and black-and-white photos and illustrations.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Indians--History.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5, 9.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Greenberg, Ian and Sandra Jordan. (1998). Chuck Close Up Close. New York: DK Publishing. 48 pages. 078942486X. $19.95
Close discusses how he became an artist, his style, and the accident that changed his life and the method he uses to paint the room-size portraits for which he has become well-known.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: Close, Chuck
Standards: Visual Arts 1.7, 5.5 Connections 6.5, 9.3.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connection

Greenberg, Jan. (2001). Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century American Art. New York: Harry N. Abrams. 80 pages, 0810943867, $19.95.
Greenberg selected 43 works of art from artists such as Alexander Calder, Jim Dine, Romare Bearden, and Georgia O’Keefe and asked writers to write poems to add another dimension to each work of art. Works of art are from all mediums: sculpture, photographs, mixed media, lithographs, and paintings. Writers include Jane Yolen, Peter Neumeyer, and 41 others. There are short biographies on both the artists and the writers.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Art, Modern. Poetry.
Standard: Connections 6.3, 8.4.
Strand: Connections

Greenway, Shirley. (2000). Art: An A to Z Guide. New York: Franklin Watts. 128 pages, 0531165531 (pbk.), $19.95.
A dictionary of terms and concepts related to art history and art techniques, which also includes artists and schools of art, and includes examples of art from all over the world. The 225 color illustrations make this a very appealing, fun book for students interested in learning more about art.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7.
Subjects: Art--Dictionaries.
Standard: Visual Arts 1.7 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 8.4, 8.5.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Hamanaka, Sheila and Ayano Ohmi. (1999). In Search of the Spirit: The Living National Treasures of Japan. New York: Morrow Junior Books. 48 pages, 0688146082, $16.00.
A excellent resource for learning about 6 of Japan’s national treasures (master artists who practice and teach ancient arts such as acting in the Noh theater, hand-painting kimonos, weaving bamboo, acting as a puppet master, swordmaking, or making pottery). Color photos.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: Arts, Japanese. Artists--Japan--Biography.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 8.5.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Hardy, P. Stephen and Sheila Jackson. (2000). Extraordinary People of the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Children’s Press. 288 pages, 051621201X, $37.00.
This book looks at 44 notable individuals from the Harlem Renaissance, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Countee Cullen, and Bessie Smith. Black-and-white photographs and reproductions of sheet music, magazine covers, and artwork.
Audience: Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Subjects: African American Artists. Harlem Renaissance.
Standard: Visual Arts: 1.7, 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 7.4, 8.4, 10.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Harris, Geraldine. (1999). Illustrated Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Lincolnwood, Il: Peter Bedrick Books. 176 pages, 0872266060, $29.95.
A must for any 5-8 collection! A to Z entries, informative, well illustrated with photos of artifacts primarily found in the British Museums collection.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Subjects: Egypt--Civilization.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6 Connections 6.3, 6.4, 7.2, 8.5, 9.2.
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections.

Hart, George. (2000). Ancient Egypt (Eyewitness). New York: Dorling Kindersley. 64 pages, 0789465728, $19.95.
Beautifully illustrated like all the Eyewitness books with photos of artifacts from ancient Egypt to help describe daily life, religious beliefs, etc.
Audience: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Subjects: Egypt--Civilization.
Standard: Visual Arts 5.5, 5.6