Making the Connection

Arts
Grades K-4

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Dance Resources

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Print and Media Resources

Ackerman, Karen. (1988). Song and Dance Man. New York: Random House. 32p. 0394893301, $16.00
This caldecott winner will be in most school libraries and could serve well for family studies units wishing to connect to the Arts.  Grandfather lets loose to relive his vaudeville days with his grandchildren.
Audience: K,1,2,3,4
Subjects: Dance, Family
Standards: 5.1 Observe dances from a variety of cultures
Strand: Dance

Ancona, George. (1998). Let's dance.  New York: Morrow Junior Books. 34p. 0-688-16212-6. $15.89
Simple text and photographs describe various dances from all over the world.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 3.1, 4.1 5.1, 5.3, 8.3
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Andrews,S. (2001) Dancing in My Bones. New York: HarperFestival. 20p. 0694013161, $8.46 
A dancing girl and her friends discover how moving to the music affects all the different parts of their bodies. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3 
Subjects: Anatomy, Dance, Fiction 
Standards: 1.1 Identify and demonstrate basic locomotor and non-locomotor movements. 
Strand: Dance 

Burton, L. (1998). When Aunt Lena did the rhumba. [VHS, close-captioned Video]. (Available from Follett Library Resources). 433FFV3, 29 min. $55.14 
When a woman's dance mishap keeps her from her beloved Broadway shows, her young niece finds a way to bring Broadway home. The story is enriched by visits with the Boys Choir of Harlem and the cast of 'Cats.' Live-action and iconographic. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Musicals, Family Life 
Standards: 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc. 
Strand: Dance 

Bussell, Darcey. (1994). The young dancer. New York: DOrling Kindersley. 64p. 1-56458-468-2. $13.56
Explains, through photographs and text, the importance of mastering basic steps early and then building strength slowly so that one can dance without risking injury. Includes lots of fascinating information on ballet companies and a glossary to explain special ballet words.
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects:   Dance
Standard: 1.4, 1.5, 3.2
Strand: Dance, Key Terms

Cooper, E. (2001). Dance! New York: Greenwillow. 32p. 0060294191, $15.89 
Illustrations and simple but illustrative text follow a dance troupe as they prepare for a performance. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3 
Subjects: Dance, Dancers, Non-fiction 
Standards: 3.1Observe, explore, and discuss how movements can show feelings, images, thoughts, colors, sounds, and textures 
Strand: Dance 

Burton, L. (1998). When Aunt Lena did the rhumba. [VHS, close-captioned Video]. (Available from Follett Library Resources). 433FFV3, 29 min. $55.14 
When a woman's dance mishap keeps her from her beloved Broadway shows, her young niece finds a way to bring Broadway home. The story is enriched by visits with the Boys Choir of Harlem and the cast of 'Cats.' Live-action and iconographic. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Musicals, Family Life 
Standards: 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc. 
Strand: Dance 

Dawavendewa,G. (2001). The Butterfly Dance. Washington D.C.: Abbeville Press. 29p. 0789201615, $14.95 
Because she is now twelve, Sihumana gets to join the other Hopi in performing the Butterfly Dance, helping to celebrate family and 

bring gentle rains for the flowers and plants. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3 
Subjects: Hopi Indians Fiction, Rain Dances, Traditional Dances 
Standards: 5.1 Observe dances from a variety of cultures, 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc., 8.1 
Strand: Dance 

Daise, R. and N. (1997). Gullah Gullah Island. Dance along with Binyah and friends. [VHS, close-captioned Video]. (Available from Follett Library Resources). 42803V3, 35 min. $9.95 
Binyah and the Alston family will have the children shaking, leaping and boogieing down. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Dance Fiction, American Studies 
Standards: 5.1 Observe dances from a variety of cultures, 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc., 8.1 
Strand: Dance 

Duvall, Jill. (1997).  Meet Rory Hohenstein, a professional dancer. New York: Children's Press. 32p. 0-516-20312-6 $14.96
Describes the life of a teenage dancer and shows how his practice and hard work pay off during a performance at the Kirov Academy in Washington, D.C.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.2, 1.9

Gibson, Barry. (2000). Dance. Chicago: Heinemann. 24p. 1-57572-960-1. $13.94.
An introduction to dance, describing styles and steps, with tips on safety, warmups, and cooldowns. Includes bibliographical references and index.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:   Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3
Strand: Dance, Key Terms

Jonas, Ann (1989, 1999pbk), Color Dance. New York:Greenwillow. p., 0688059902, 0688167047(pbk.)
Dancers use sheer colored scarves to show how colors mix. Colors are named. Good dance, color exploration exercise.
Audience: K,1,2
Subjects:
Standards: 2.1 explore the use of color in dry and wet media, 10 connections to dance with scarves exercises
Strand: Visual Arts, Dance

Jones, Bill T. and Susan Kuklin. (1998). Dance. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. 32p, 0786823070, $16.00
Bill T. Jones, renowned choreographer is photographed while dancing by Susan Kuklin. Simple text in the first person exhibits Jones’ feelings and abilities while dancing.
Audience: K,1, 2
Subjects: Dancing--Pictorial works
Standards: 3.1 Observe, explore and discuss how movements can show feelings, 7.0 Roles of artists, arts institutions
Strand: Dance

Kimbo Video. (1993). All-time favorite dances. [Video]. (Available from Popplers Music, (800) 437-1755. 34 min. $16.95
This video for children shows many dances in action, including the Hokey Pokey, Virginia Reel, Mexican Hat Dance and others. Each dance is followed by brief instructions. A guidebook with tape or CD of the music is also available.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5,  3.2, 4.1, 5.3, 6.2
Strand: Dance, Connections.

Kuklin, S. and Jones, Bill T. (1998). Dance. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. 32p. 0-7868-0362-2 $12.71
The renowned performer and choreographer shares his deep love for dance and movement in this poignant photo-essay. Introduces basic concepts of dance through poetic text and photographs.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.2
Strand: Dance, Connections

Leverett, Jamey. (2000). The ballerina & me videorecording. [Video]. (Available from Dream Come True Productions, Rochester, New York). 25 min. $14.95
A ballerina takes the viewer through a typical ballet lesson, including warm-up exercises and positions, and teaches the steps necessary to dance the part of a snowflake in the Nutcracker. VHS.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.4,  3.2, 4.1, 5.3
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Levy, R.. (1994). African drumming & dance videorecording. [Video].(Available from Rick Levy Management, St. Augustine, FL) 48 min. $99.95
An exploration of African drumming, dance, and culture lead by three African-American performers in traditional costumes. VHS.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.3, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.3
Strand: Dance, Connections

McCoy, K. K. (1999). Bon Odori Dancer. Chicago: Polychrome Pub. Corp. 32p. 187996516X, $14.95 
Keiko is the clumsiest girl in her Japanese dance class, but when the other girls stop laughing at her and start helping her, they all perform well at the Obon festival. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3 
Subjects: Dance Fiction, Traditional Dance, Japanese Festival 
Standards: 5.1 Observe dances from a variety of cultures, 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc., 8.1 
Strand: Dance

McLerran,A. (1995). The Ghost Dance. New York: Clarion Books. 36p. 0618111433, $10.26 
A narrative of the origins and meaning of the Native American Indian ghost dance. 
Audience: 3, 4
Subjects:  Ghost Dance, Indigenous Peoples of North America 
Standards: 5.1 Observe dances from a variety of cultures, 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc., 8.1 
Strand: Dance 

Morris, N. (2001). Music and Dance. New York: Crabtree.38p., 0778702391, $18.09 
Explores the role of music and dance in cultures around the world, looking at different musical instruments, and discussing the making of instruments, religious music and dancing, musical performance, opera, music ceremonies, and other topics. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Music, Dance 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods., 8.1 
Strand: Dance 

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Co. (2002). The Art of Chinese Dance. [Video]. (available from Chinasprout). VVC005, 45 min. $24.95 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Chinese Dance 
Standards: 5.1 Observe dances from a variety of cultures, 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc., 8.1 
Strand: Dance 

Packard, Helen. (1997) A Day in the Life of a Dancer. New York: PowerKids Press. 24p. 0-8239-5098-0 $12.95
This book presents the training and dedication necessary to be a dancer by describing the life of a modern dancer. Covers concepts such as expressing herself, starting young, hard work, keeping her body healthy.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 1.9, 3.1, 3.3
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Passmore,T. (1997). Easy hula for children videorecording : learn basic hula steps & 3 hula songs. [Video]. (Available from Taina Productions Inc., Honolulu, HI) 25 min. $19.95
A Hawaiian instructor leads viewers step by step through three simple hula dances. Steps and hand motions are taught using a mirror image method. VHS.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3,4
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7, 3.1, 3.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Spinelli, E. (1997). Boy, Can He Dance! New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. 32p. 0689815336, $9.36 
Although his father wants him to follow the family tradition and become a chef, a young boy would much rather dance. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3 
Subjects: Dance Fiction, Occupations, Fathers and sons. 
Standards: 1.9 Develop and value a positive body image. 
Strand: Dance 

Tallchief, Maria with Rosemary Wells. (1999). Tallchief: America’s prima ballerina. New York: Viking.
28p., 0670887560, $15.99
Maria Tallchief recounts her upbringing on an Osage reservation and her beginnings in the world of dance.  The story is simple yet the language is very rich and descriptive. Forward by Rosemary Wells.
Audience: 1,2,3,4
Subjects: Native American, Ballet
Standards: 5.0 critical response, 7.0 roles of artists
Strand: Dance

Thomas, Mark. (2001). African dancing. New York: Children's Press. 24p. 0-516-23141-3. $10.13.
Tamika, a young girl, tells about her experiences learning African dance. Includes photographs, a word list and bibliographical references and index.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 5.3, 8.3
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Thomas, Mark. (2001). Ballet dancing. New York: Children's Press. 24p.  0-516-23142-1 $10.13
Tammy, a young girl, tells about her experiences learning ballet. Includes photographs, a word list and bibliographical references and index.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 5.3, 7.1
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Thomas, Mark. (2001). Irish step dancing. New York: Children's Press. 24p.  0-516-23143-X $10.13
Rosa, a young girl, tells about her experiences learning Irish step dancing. Includes photographs, a word list and bibliographical references and index.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 5.3, 8.3
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Thomas, Mark. (2001). Jazz dancing. New York: Children's Press. 24p.  0-516-23144-8 $10.13
John, a young boy, tells about his experiences learning jazz dancing. Includes photographs, a word list and bibliographical references and index.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:   Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 5.3, 8.3
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Thomas, Mark. (2001). Square dancing. New York: Children's Press. 24p.  0-516-23145-6 $10.13
Using photographs and simple text, this book introduces the reader to the basic elements of square dancing. Includes bibliographical reference and index.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects:  Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 5.3, 8.3
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Turkington, N. (2000). The Dancer. London: Frances Lincoln. 32p. 0711214271, $20.50 
Bau, a girl who dances the stories of her people, longs to learn the magic rainbull dance, and when drought seizes the land, her grandmother sends her in search of the rainmaiden who teaches Bau how to bring
rain to the Kalahari people. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3 
Subjects: Rain Dance, African People, Folklore 
Standards: 5.1 Observe dances from a variety of cultures, 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc., 8.1 
Strand: Dance 

Unknown. (1992). Country Dancing for Kids. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com). K1556, 35 min. $14.95 
Live-action instruction teaches children how to do popular country dances while also having fun. Dances include: Cowboy Countdown, Cowboy Polka, Peter Push, Electric Slide and Slap Leather Twist. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Country, Dance 
Standards: 1.0 
Strand: Dance 

Unknown. (1994). Dance Adventure. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com). K7916, 50 min. $14.95 
Choreographer and children's dance specialist Christy Curtis introduces children to the basics of dance. Join Miss Christy, her amazing group of children, Ballone the Butterfly and Tapper the Scarecrow as they go to a lily pond, to the beach and to a farm. At each setting, kids learn moves characteristic of ballet, jazz and tap. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Dance 
Standards: 1.0 
Strand: Dance 

Unknown. (1998). Dancetime: Vol. 1 & 2. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com). AO146, 45 min. $39.95 
Capturing the excitement and elegance of dance from the 15th to the 19th centuries, this program looks at the history of social dance and music around the world to chronicle the social significance of history, culture, costume, dance, music and theatre. The program also shows how the dances of each period reveal changing dynamics between men and women within Western culture. Features witty educational commentary that introduces centuries and styles, well-known musical selections, period fashions and performances with explanatory subtitles. 
Audience: 4, Teachers 
Subjects: Dance 
Standards: 5.1 Observe dances from a variety of cultures, 5.3 Observe two dances and discuss how they are similar and different, considering use of theme, space, timing and rhythms, gestures and body language, properties, costumes, etc. 
Strand: Dance 

Unknown. (1995). Dare to Dance. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com). K1353, 40 min. $19.95 
This true-life, live-action program chronicles the joys and challenges that three young girl's experience in their ballet classes and performances. Witness first hand the life of a young ballet dancer. This program features interviews with instructors, parents and dancers. Introduced by the former principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater. 
Audience: 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Dance 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 1.9 Develop and value a positive body image. 
Strand: Dance 

Unknown. (1995). Hip Hop Kidz: Learn to Hip-Hop Dance. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com). K3269, 30 min. $19.95 
Children dance and lead this high-energy dance sequence that's fun, easy and great exercise. Learn these hip dance steps in a clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step format. The routines taught in this program are appropriate for children, teens and adults. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Music, Hip-Hop Dance 
Standards: 1.0 
Strand: Dance 

Unknown. (1997). Hula for Children. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com). K0569, 25 min. $19.95 
Young viewers progress from simple movements to those of increased difficulty and speed in this encouraging program that teaches the proper techniques of hula dancing. Filmed amidst the breathtaking scenery of Hawaii, the program features original songs and instructions by Taina Passmore. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Hula Dance 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 1.0. 
Strand: Dance 

Unknown. (1998). I Can Dance! [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com). K3620, 30 min. $12.95 
Join the Kidsongs Kids and Billy and Ruby Biggle as they learn fun new dance moves in this upbeat video. Children will be doing the "Charleston," "The Twist," "The Waltz," forming a Conga line and dancing barefoot at the beach in no time. Also, participate in country line dancing, do the jitter-bug and sing along in this dance-athon. Part of the Kidsongs Series. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Waltz, Charleston, Twist, Jitter-bug, Line Dancing Dance 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 1.0. 
Strand: Dance 

Unknown. (1999). Time to Dance. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com). K2064, 28 min. $17.95 
An excellent introduction to the basics of dance for children. Master steps and movements, learn a dance routine and discover the magic of creativity with Alison Crosby and her eleven child participants. The program becomes progressively more challenging as children learn a dance routine. 
Audience: 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Dance 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 1.0. 
Strand: Dance 

Van Laan, Nancy. (1993). Buffalo dance: a Blackfoot Legend. Boston: Little Brown and Co. 32p., 0316897280, $14.95
This Native American folktale retells the story behind the beginnings of the dance ritual used before a buffalo hunt.  In it a young woman promises to marry a buffalo if it jumps over a cliff. The story results in the telling of the actual beliefs behind the Buffalo dance used by the Blackfoot tribes before hunting Buffalo. No information on how the dance was executed.
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Native American--Blackfoot Tribe
Standards:  4.1 Describe the role of traditional and nontraditional dances and the circumstances and settings in which these dances would be performed.
Strand: Dance

White, Diana. (1998). Ballerina dreams. New York: Scholastic. 48p. 0-590-37233-5. $7.76.
Diana White recounts how her dream of becoming a ballerina came true from her first dance class at age four to her work with the New York City Ballet.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3,
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.9, 7.1
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Arts
Grades K-4

Dance Resources

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

ArtsEdge. (8/19/02). Exploring Ballet. 
History, behinds the scenes and making connections are three links off of this site. Also The Royal Swedish and Stanislavsky Ballets' companies, dances and cultures are spotlighted. 
URL: http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/ballet/Free 
Audience: Teacher, Grade 4 
Subjects: Dance, Ballet 
Standard: 4.1 Describe the role of traditional and non-traditional dances and the circumstances and settings in which these dances would be performed. 
Strand: Dance

Author Unknown. (2001). American Ballet Theater-Ballet Dictionary.
Not only are terms defined but video clips actually demonstrate 170 ballet movements by American Ballet Theater Company dancers.
URL: http://www.abt.org/library/dictionary/index.html
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 7.1
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms

Beales, John. (1998). the-ballet.com.
This is an educational site dealing with all the aspects of ballet dancing that was originally a ThinkQuest project. It is an interactive educational website designed to educate people on all the different aspects of ballet. The four sections include: the dancer, the technique, the history, and the performance.
URL: http://www.the-ballet.com/
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 7.1
Strand: Dance, Connections, Key Terms.

Enomoto, Catherine. (1997). Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
This site is actually a newspaper article about the fine points of the hula dance with a video clip and graphic explaining the meanings of some motions.
URL: http://www.starbulletin.com/97/03/31/features/story1.html
Audience: Grades 1,2, 3, 4
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 5.3, 6.1
Strand: Dance, Key Connections.

Interactive Media Associates. (2001). New York City Ballet | Educational Resources.
Ballet terms and steps are demonstrated through graphics, photographs and text to introduse novices to the world of ballet.
URL: http://www.nycballet.com/programs/whatisballet.html
Audience: Grades 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3
Strand: Dance, Key Terms.

Johns, Michael. (no date). Basic Movements-Capoeira of San Jose.
Learn about Capoeira which was created by African slaves, in Brazil, approximately 400 yrs. ago as a martial art. Capoeira possesses a very unique style that brings together beauty and power, developing mental balance, physical conditioning, self-defense, music and a profound sense of art, all at once. This site has excellent demonstrations of movements that could be emulated by students to develop strength, flexibility and balance.
URL: http://www.capoeirasj.com/capoeirasj.html
Audience: Grades  3, 4
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.2,  1.5, 3.1, 5.3
Strand: Dance, Key Connections.

Popat, Sita. (2000). Hands-On Dance Project.
Actual movies of dance performance segments may be viewed with Quicktime.
URL: http://www.satorimedia.com/hands_on/. Free.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 5.3, 6.1
Strand: Dance, Connections.

ThinkQuest Junior Team J002266. (2000). And They Kept on Dancing.
This website is about five types of organized dance; folk dance, ballet, tap, jazz, modern and some of the people that have influenced these styles.
URL: http://library.thinkquest.org/J002266F/
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 5.3, 8.1
Strand: Dance, Key Terms.

Unknown. (8/21/02). National Dance Education Organization. The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) advances dance education centered in the arts. They are the voice of representation for the field in legislatures, schools of dance, PreK-12 schools, and institutions of higher education throughout the country. 
URL: http://www.ndeo.net/Free 
Audience: Teachers 
Subjects: Dance 
Standards: 
Strand: Dance

Williams, Jim. (2001). The Electric Ballerina.
Learn more about ballet by downloading these computer-generated simulations of steps and positions. (You'll need the Macintosh or Windows versions of Apple Computer's QuickTime software components.
URL: http://www.novia.net/~jlw/electric/electric.html
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Dance
Standard: 1.1, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 7.1
Strand: Dance, Connections.

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Music Resources

Skip down to Web Sites

Print and Media Resources

Baer, Gene. (1989). Thump, thump, rat-a-tat-tat. New York: Harper & Row. Unpaged, 0060203625, $16.00
A marching band passes through town. Demonstrates piano to fortissimo changes in music.  Lois Ehlert illustrates in small to large collages of a marching band players.
Audience: K,1
Subjects:marching band
Standards:2.4 Use standard symbols to notate rhythm, pitch and dynamics
Strand: Music

Choksy, Lois. (1996). 120 singing games and dances for elementary schools. San Diego: Prentice Hall. 227p., 0136350380, $68.00
Professional literature for teaching singing and dance.   Good selection for active learning and connecting disciplines of music and dance.
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, Teacher
Subjects: Singing, Dance
Standards: 1.0 Singing
Strand: Music

Danes, Emma. (1994). The Usborne first book of music. Tulsa: EDC Pub. 48p. 0-7460-1329-9 $8.46
An introduction to all aspects of music from listening to sounds and making simple instruments to dancing, performing, and composing. Includes advice on choosing an instrument.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3,
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.3, 5.4, 9.1
Strand: Music, Connections, Key Terms.

Eddleman, D. (ed.) (1998). The Great Children's Songbook: a treasure chest of music and activities. New York:C. Fischer. 192p., 082583287X, $15.26 
Presents the words and music to one hundred songs for children, many with a related activity, game, or project. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3 
Subjects: Children’s songs 
Standard: 1.0 Singing 
Strand: Music

Gatti, Anne. (1997). The Magic Flute. San Francisco: Chronicle Books 32p, 0811810038, $17.95
Mozart’s opera illustrated and retold, CD included.  The fanciful printed work is organized by musical selections making it easy to introduce the music with the appropriate text to young audiences.
Audience: Grades 2,3,4
Subjects: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus; Operas--Stories, plots
Standard:   6.0 Purposes and meanings for which works were created
Strand: Music

Go In and Out the Window: An Illustrated Songbook for Young People. (1987). NewYork: Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Music Arranged and edited by Dan Fox 144p, 0860995006, $19.95
This resources features 62 children’s songs printed alongside art plates from the Metropolitan Museum of art.  The simple scores are appropriate for sing-a-longs or playing instruments.   Text relates the artwork and/or artist to the song’s composition, meaning and/or it’s artist. An interesting perspective.
Audience: Grades 2, 3, 4 and up
Subjects: Children’s Songs; Metropolitan Museum of Art
Standard: 1.5 Singing in a group,1.2 Sing with appropriate interpretation, 5.2 Listen and describe music in cultural and historic periods,6.0 Purpose and meanings for which works were created,7.0 Roles of Artists
Strand: Music

Harper, Jessica. (1996). Nora's Room sound recording. [Audiocassette] (Available from Alacazam Records). 27 min. $9.98
An admixture of doo-wop, Caribbean, and other mellow and spirited sounds. Includes "Get the Rhythm," "Barefoot Blues," "Mango Walk," and more.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.1, 5.2, 8.1
Strand: Music, Connections.

Harranth, Wolf. (1998). The flute concert. Unpaged, 1567118038, $16.95
After losing  his sheet music, a young flutist needs a quick solution before concert time--playing by memory.
Audience: K, 1, 2
Subjects: Musical performance
Standards: 3.0 Playing instruments
Strand: Music

Hart, Avery and Paul Mantell (1993) Kids make music: clapping and tapping from rock to Bach. Vermont: Williamson Publishing. 156p., 0913589691, $12.95
A how-to book loaded with simple ideas to create music from hands to cans.  Ideal for lesson planning ideas.
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Music related projects
Standard:  3.0 Playing Instruments, 4.0 Improvisation and composition
Strand: Music

Hayes, Ann. (1991). Meet the Orchestra. San Diege: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. 32p. 0-15-200526-9 $13.60
An attractive, well-planned book that introduces the orchestra's families (groups of like instruments) and its members. In clear and understandable prose, each instrument's function, especially as it relates to the other members of its family
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.3, 5.4, 9.1
Strand: Music, Connections, Key Terms.

Hopkinson, Deborah. (1998). A band of angels. New York: Atheneum books for Young Readers. 32p. 0689810628, $16.00
Based on the history of the Jubilee Singers, an African American singing group which toured in the late 1800’s to raise funds to save Fisk University.
Audience: 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Jubilee Singers, Gospel music
Standards: 1.5 Sing in groups, blending vocal timbres, 5.2 Examples of historical periods
Strand: Music

Igus, Michele. (1998). i [sic] see the rhythm. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press. 32p, 0892391510, $15.95
This resource combines poetry, art illustrations and non fiction facts to make a fine work of interdisciplinary connections in Afro American music history.  Toyomi Igus divides the text into musical periods: slave songs, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, Swing, Be Bop, Cool Jazz, Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, Block Rock, Funk, Rap.  Poetic descriptions of each period fill the pages which have vivid arcrylic backdrops by illustrator Michele Wood.  In the side bars Igus includes dated facts of Afro-American history which influenced the music of the time.
Audience: 1-4
Subjects: Afro-Americans--Music--History
Standard: 6 0 Purpose and meaning, 8.0 Understanding stylistic change, 10.0 Interdisciplinary: Music/History
Strand: Music

Igus, Toyomi. (1998). I see the rhythm. San Francisco: Children's Book Press. 32p. 0-89239-151-0 $13.56
A pictorial time line of African-American music from the 1500s to the 1990s. The text, made up of free verse and music lyrics, incorporates different font sizes, shapes, and colors to underline the mood of each genre. A chronology gives a historical perspective and a context for young readers.
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.2, 8.1
Strand: Music, Connections, Key Terms.

Kirgiss, C. (2002). Classical Music. North Mankato:Smart Apple Media. 32p. 158340019-2 
Surveys the history of Western classical music from Gregorian chants to Baroque concertos, Romantic symphonies to atonal music. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Music History 
Standards: 5.2 Describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 
Strand: Music 

Kirgiss, C. (2002). Folk Music. North Mankato:Smart Apple Media. 32p. 158340019-2 
Defines folk music and traces its history and development in the United States, including its resurgence in popularity starting in the 1940s. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Folk Music 
Standards: 5.2 Describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 
Strand: Music 

Koscielniak, Bruce. (2000). The story of the incredible orchestra : an introduction to musical instruments and the symphony orchestra.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 32p. 0-395-96052-5 $12.75
This book describes the evolution of the modern symphony orchestra and the instruments that comprise it. An informative narrative occupies at least one side of each double-page spread.
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.3, 5.4
Strand: Music, Connections, Key Terms.

Krull, Kathleen. (1993). Lives of musicians: good times, bad times. Sand Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 96p., 0152480102, $
Excellent resource for beginning bibliographical information on composers.  Cartoon Cariactures of 20 composers from Anthony Vivaldi to Woodie Guthrie are followed by two to three pages about the childhoods, personalities and accomplishments of these talented men.
Audience 1-4
Subjects: Composers
Standard: 7.0 Roles of artists in community
Strand: Music

Kuskin, Karla. (1986). The philharmonic gets dressed. New York: Harper and Row. 44p., 0060236221, $15.95
An inside look at the preparation time before a concert.
Audience: 2, 3
Subjects: Musical performance
Standards: 3.0 Playing instuments
Strand: Music

Levine, R.T. (2001). The Story of the Orchestra: listen while you learn about the instruments, the music and the composers who wrote the music! New York: Black Dog & Leventhal. 96p., 1579121489, $16.98 
Orchestra Bob teaches children about classical music and its most influential composers; includes a CD-ROM with recordings of popular classical music pieces. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Orchestra, Musical Instruments, Composers 
Standards: 5.4 Identify the sounds of a variety of instruments, including many orchestra and band instruments. 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 
Strand: 

Lightyear Entertainment. (1995). People videorecording: a musical celebration of diversity. [Video]. (Available fromWarnerVision Entertainment dist., New York). 54 min. $12.98
This animated video celebrates in music the differences among the four billion people inhabiting the planet earth. Features performances by Al Jarreau, Chaka Kahn, Peabo Bryson, and Heavy D. VHS; stereo. Close-captioned.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.1, 5.2, 8.1
Strand: Music, Connections.

McDermott, Gerald. (1997). Musicians of the sun. New York: Simon & Schuster. Unpaged, 0689807066, $17.00
An Aztec myth portraying the freeing of musicians from the sun allowing music to bring joy to the world.
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Aztec mythology,  music
Standards: 10 Interdisciplinary connections
Strand: Music

McNeil, K. & R. (1996). Colonial & Revolution Songbook: with historical commentary. Riverside, CA: WEM Records. 71p., 1878360086, $10.16 
Collection of traditional songs sung in Colonial America, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812, each featuring the words, musical notations, and a historical commentary. Recorded cassette available. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: US History, Colonial Period, Revolution Songs, Folk music 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 
Strand: Music 

Morris, N. (2001). Music and Dance. New York: Crabtree. 38p., 0778702391, $18.09 
Explores the role of music and dance in cultures around the world, looking at different musical instruments, and discussing the making of instruments, religious music and dancing, musical performance, opera, music ceremonies, and other topics. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Music, Dance 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 
Strand: Music

Moss, Lloyd and Marjorie Priceman. (1995). Zin! zin! zin!: A violin. New York: Simon & Schuster. Unpaged, 0671882392, $16.00
A playful creation page by page of an orchestra.  Good background for playing instruments standard.
Audience: K
Subjects: Musical Instruments
Standards: 3.0 playing instruments
Strand: Music

Ober, Hal. (1994). How music came to the world. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 32p, 0395675235, $14.95
Mexican pourquoi tale explaining the coming of music through the cooperation of the wind and the sky gods.
Audience: K, 1, 2
Subjects: Mexico, folktale, Mexican art,
Standards: 5.0 Critical Response,10 Interdisciplinary
Strand: Music

O'Brien, E. (2001). The Usborne Internet-linked introduction to music. Tulsa,OK:DC Pub. 96p., 1580863191, $24.79 
Presents color-illustrated overviews of a variety of music topics, all including the addresses of related Internet sites. Covers various types of music; historical periods in music; instruments; composers; how to read music; and related aspects including ballet, opera, soundtracks, and sound reproduction. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Music, Music Appreciation, Internet 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 
Strand: Music

Raschka, Christopher. (1992). Charlie Parker played be bop. 32p., 0531085996, $
Bold words and pictures mimic the jazz music from Charlie Parker’s be bop tune “a Night in Tunisia.”  This is a useful resource to introduce jazz genre to young children.
Audience: K,1
Subjects: Jazz, word play
Standards: 5.0 critical response, 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles and genres.
Strand: Music

Rau, D. (2002). Making Music. Minneapolis: Compass Point Books. 32p., 0756501180, $13.95 
Uses sound words to introduce music and types of musical instruments, continuing to add more and more instruments until a band is formed. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Musical Instruments 
Standards: 5.4 Identify the sounds of a variety of instruments, including many orchestra and band instruments. 
Strand: Music 

Schomp, Virginia. (2001). If you were a...musician. New York: Benchmark Books. 32p. 0-7614-1002-3 $18.23
This book discusses what it is like to be a professional musician and examines the necessary skills and instruction.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3,
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.3, 5.4
Strand: Music, Key Terms.

Sharma, Elizabeth. (1993). Woodwinds: Live Music. New York: Thomson Learning. 32p, 156847-115-7, $14.95
This study of woodwind instruments includes information on the history and the music of woodwinds as well as information on how woodwinds are produced.  The text includes directions to make a five pipe instrument from plumbing pipe and details the musical theory of creating notes at different intervals.
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Woodwind instruments
Standard: 4.3 Improvising simple rhythmic variations, 5.4 Identifying the sounds of a variety of instruments
Strand: Music

Smith, E. (2003). Making Music with stringed instruments. New York: Rosen Pub. Group. 24p., 0823937402, $13.95 
Introduces the violin, viola, cello, and bass, as well as the basic techniques for choosing and beginning to play a stringed instrument with a bow. 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Musical Instruments 
Standards: 5.4 Identify the sounds of a variety of instruments, including many orchestra and band instruments. 
Strand: Music

Turner, Barrie Carson. (1996). The Living Flute, New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 48p, 0679881794, $25.00
This is a well researched, visually appealing non-fiction series which includes titles on the violin, clarinet and piano.  This author writes children’s books on musical topics regularly.  
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: clarinet--history
Standard: 7.0 Roles of the artist past and present, 9.0 Inventions use of technology.
Strand: Music

Turner, Barrie. (1999). Woodwind and brass. Mankato: Smart Apple Media. 32p. 1-887068-48-1 $16.95
Describes nineteen wind instruments from around the world including the oboe, didjeridu, bassoon, and accordion. Other titles in this series include: Drums, Flutes, Keyboards, Modern Instruments, Percussion, Sound Effects and Strings.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.4, 9.1
Strand: Music, Connections.

Unknown. (1992). How to Read Music. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com), A4201, 28 min, $29.95 
This educational program covers the basics of reading and understanding music. Colorful animations and graphics make learning simple and fun. The lessons cover staffs, pitch, scale, octaves, sharps, flats, rhythm and notes. 
Audience: 3, 4 
Subjects: Musical notation 
Standards: 2. 
Strand: Music 

Unknown. (1999). Instrumental Classmates Collection. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com), 
AO200, 150 minutes, $149.95 
This educator-developed series introduces students to music and instruments from each instrument family. Hosted by a likeable character with an intense love for and knowledge of music, each program is designed to inspire students to pick up an instrument and learn how to play. Each episode features P.J. who presents various members of instrumental families and performs easy-to-understand demonstrations of how each instrument works. He also gives a brief history of the instrument, and explains how a musician produces the unique sounds of the instrument family as well as the different styles of music an instrument can produce. Students are also introduced to orchestras, marching bands, jazz ensembles and rock-and-roll. Each program also features on-screen graphics that reinforce key topics. Includes a teacher's guide.
Titles include: 
IN TUNE WITH BRASS 
IN TUNE WITH KEYBOARDS 
IN TUNE WITH PERCUSSION 
IN TUNE WITH STRINGS 
IN TUNE WITH WOODWINDS 
Audience: 3, 4 
Subjects: Musical Instruments 
Standards: 5.4 Identify the sounds of a variety of instruments, including many orchestra and band instruments. 
Strand: Music 

Unknown. (1994). Kids Make Music. [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com), K6957, 45 minutes, $14.95 
Children learn music through singing, dancing and clapping. Based on a unique approach to music education called Orff Schulwerk, this program directs children's natural instincts into an active process that teaches music by making music while it enhances their visual, spatial and motor skills. All songs are arranged for percussion instruments such as maracas, tambourines and more. Features Lynn Kleiner and includes a special section for parents and teachers on teaching music to young children. Part of the Kids Make Music Series. 
Audience: K, 1, 2 
Subjects: Percussion Instruments, Music 
Standards: 5.4 Identify the sounds of a variety of instruments, 5.1 Perceive, describe, and respond to basic elements of music, including beat, tempo, rhythm, etc., 4.4 
Strand: Music 

Unknown. (2000). What is Music? [VHS Video]. (Available from Libraryvideo.com), K2259, 16 minutes, $59.95 
Audience: 3, 4, 5, 6 
Subjects: Music, Music Appreciation, Instruments 
Standards: 5.2 Listen to and describe music of various styles, genres, cultural and historical periods. 5.4 Identify the sounds of a variety of instruments. 
Strand: Music 

Van Laan, Nancy. (1998). So say the little monkeys. New York: Atheneum Books. Unpaged, 0689810385, $16.00
Chanting, rhythmic text is recommended for read aloud or group reading.  Good text to add musical elements (clapping, stomping etc.) or musical percussion. Based on native story of Brazilian blackmouth monkeys of the Rio Negro.
Audience: K, 1
Subjects: Rhythm, South America
Standards:3.0 playing instruments with steady tempo and rhythmic accuracy, 10.0 interdisciplinary
Strand: Music

Wilkes, Angela. (1993). My first video music recording. [Video]. (Available from Sony Kid's Video, New York. 50 min. $12.98
This close captioned video shows how to build and play homemade instruments, such as tambourines, drums, harps, banjos, bells, xylophones, and whistles. VHS; stereo.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3,
Subjects: Music
Standard: 4.2, 4.3, 5.4, 9.1
Strand: Music, Connections.

Yolen, Jane. (1994). Jane Yolen’s Old MacDonald Songbook. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. 95p., 1563972816, $
Beloved children’s author Jane Yolen chooses 43 folk songs, all with animal themes and adds her imput to the songs origin about each musical score.  Yolen’s son, has simplified the compositions of the songs for easy playing and singing by children.
Audience: K, 1, 2
Subjects: Children’s songs
Standard:   1.0 Singing
Strand: Music

Arts
Grades K-4

Music Resources

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Web Sites

Author Unknown. (2001). American Folk Songs.
Folksongs, Hymns and Spirituals of America can be found in this searchable database for cultural and historical comparisons.
URL: http://www.acronet.net/~robokopp/usa.html
Audience: Grades 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.2, 8.1
Strand: Music, Connections.

Becket, S. & Williams, J. (1999). Energy in the air: sounds from the orchestra.
This ThinkQuest site has information on the instruments that play in the orchestra and sound clips of the orchestra playing music. They have an activities section where you can see how to make some instruments
as well as quizzes and a search engine. (Real Audiorecommended).
URL: http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5116/
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.3, 5.4, 9.1
Strand: Music, Connections.

DataDragon Information Services. (1997). Music education.
Learn and hear about different instruments, how to read music, information about music from different genres and much more at this site.
URL: http://www.datadragon.com/education/
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 9.1
Strand: Music, Connections.

Gergo Multitech. (1998). MIDI National anthems.
Listen to any of more than 186 anthems from countries around the world.
URL: http://www.gergo.com/home/midi/anthems.htm
Audience: Grades 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.2, 5.4, 8.1
Strand: Music, Connections.

MSGi Interactive. (1999). New York philharmonic kidZone!
Invent an instrument, follow the orchestra around the world or watch an interview with a musician.
URL: http://www.nyphilkids.org/
Audience: Grades 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.3, 5.4, 9.1
Strand: Music.

ThinkQuest Team.  (1998). Hooked on symphonies.
This site is a music teacher's dream. It has a nice glossary of musical terms, short biographies of six of the world's most beloved composers.There's a page for many musical instruments (common and uncommon), with a picture, a description, and music links to other sites. Explore the script of the story, "Peter and the Wolf" by Prokofiev. The characters are represented by different instruments, and there are sound files, and a short musical quiz to test your knowledge.
URL: http://library.thinkquest.org/17321/
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.3, 5.4
Strand: Music, Connections.

ThinkQuest Team. (1998). Music Notes: an interactive music experience.
Learn about note reading and chords, and explore historical information spanning from Medieval times to the present. The section on Music Styles is very in-depth and gives the definition and background on all types of music ranging from Caribbean to Rock.
URL: http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.2, 5.3, 5.4
Strand: Music, Connections.

ThinkQuest Team. (1995). Online music encyclopedia.
Short biographies of composers such as Vivaldi, Bach, and Rachmaninov are part of this site. Instruments are arranged by type, such as woodwind or brass, and detailed descriptions of each instrument are included. A glossary of terms, a MIDI library, and links to further music information round out this site.
URL: http://library.thinkquest.org/10400/html/index.html
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Music
Standard: 5.3, 5.4
Strand: Music, Connections.

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Print and Media Resources

Aliki (1999) William Shakespeare & the Globe. New York: Harper Collins. 48p 0060278218, $15.95
Aliki brings to life the drama of Shakespeare’s life and the reconstruction of the Globe Theatre while creating a phenomenal historical research tool.  The story is divided into “scenes” lending the added possibility to educators for shaping the story into a performance.  Aliki includes lists in the back of the book of Shakespeare’s works, a chronology of his life, and most interestingly to children perhaps, a list of words Shakespeare originated.
Audience: Gr 2 and up
Subjects: Shakespeare, William; Stage--History; Globe Theatre
Standards 7.0 Roles of Artists, 10.0 Interdisciplinary Connections to history
Strand: Theatre

Bany-Winters, L. (1997). On stage: theater games and activities for kids. Chicago: Chicago Review Press. 171p. 1556523246, $8.22 
Covers basic theater vocabulary, puppetry and pantomime, sound effects, costumes, props, and makeup; includes several play scripts. 
Audience: 2, 3, 4, Teachers 
Subjects: Drama, Plays 
Standards: All 
Strand: Theater 

Bentley, Nancy. (1996). Putting on a play : the young playwright's guide to scripting, directing, and performing. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press. 64p. 0-7613-0011-2 $17.55
A step-by-step guide for the playwright including suggestions for finding a story, writing a script, producing a play, and performing it on stage. Includes sample plays.
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 2.1
Strand: Theatre, Key Terms.

Bulloch, Ivan and Diane James (1996). I Want to be an Actor. Chicago, IL: World Book in association with Two-Can. 31p  0716617412, $9.95
This how-to resource mixes photographs of young actors with animation to attract young reader’s imagination.  Each page lists a step in the theatre production process in the upper left corner.  Illustrations and advise decorate the remainder of the two page spreads.  The advice is clear and concise.  Examples and exercises are helpful.
Audience: Grades K,1,2,3,4
Subjects: Acting—juvenile literature
Standard: 1.3 Creating a character with costume and props, 1.4 Create a character with physical movement
Strand: Theatre

Burkholder, Kelly. (2001). Plays. Vero Beach: Rourke Press. 24p. 1-57103-357-2 $15.95
After presenting a brief history of the theater, Plays describes scripting, costumes, props, characters, and using voice and movement.
Audience: Grades  2, 3, 4
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 2.1
Strand: Theatre, Key Terms.

Butterfield, Moira. (1998). Puss-in-Boots. Des Plaines: Heinemann Interactive Library. 24p. 1-57572-649-1 $13.94
Two plays for primary-grade actors. A brief recap of the tale is followed by a list of parts; directions for reading the play, making simple costumes and props, and creating stage sets and sound effects; and then the script itself. Each character's part is indicated with a graphic icon and is color-coded to make reading from the script easier. Color photographs show children dressed in the costumes and using the suggested props and movements. The plots of these classic tales have been simplified for young players and feature happy endings. Other titles in the series include: The Tortoise and the Hare, Sleeping Beauty, The Three Little Pigs and The Ugly Duckling.
Audience: Grades  2, 3, 4
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 2.3
Strand: Theatre, Key Terms.

Chrisp, Peter. (2000). Welcome to the Globe! : the story of Shakespeare's theater. DK. 48p. 0-7894-6641-4 $10.96
Various characters, including a waterman, an actor, a gallant, and an apple seller, from Shakespeare's London describe the Globe Theatre from their own perspective.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3,
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 2.1
Strand: Theatre,Connections,  Key Terms.

Fleischman, Paul. (2000). Big talk: Poems for four voices.  Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. 44p., 0763606367, $14.99
A second selection of read aloud poems with four parts.   These are longer selections than Joyful Noise.  They deal with family life and school life.
Audience: 3-4
Subjects: Poetry, oral speaking
Standards:1.5 Learn lines . . and perform, 2.4 Create a scene based on. . . or poetry
Strand: Theatre

Fleischman, Paul. (1988). Joyful Noise. New York: Harper & Row. 43p., 0060218533, $
A collection of 14 poems written for oral recitation.   All poems detail the movements of various insects.  Connects insect study to theatre and literary expression.
Audience: K,1,2,3,4
Subjects: Insects, poetry, oral speaking
Standards:1.5 Learn lines , 2.4 Create a scene based on. . . or poetry
Strand: Theatre

Gotwalt, Helen L.M. (1985).  First plays for children : a collection of little plays for the youngest players. Boston:Plays. 285p. 0-8238-0268-X $17.86
Twenty-five short, royalty-free plays for flexibly-sized casts, including many suitable for holidays and special occasions. Production notes for each play are included.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3,
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 2.2
Strand: Theatre, Key Terms.

Hayes, Ann. (1997). Onstage & Backstage. San Diego: Hartcourt Brace. 32p, 0152007822, $15.00
Duffy the Director (a black bear complete with jeans, glasses and vest) does an excellent, organized job creating a production of Cinderella for the Night Owl Theater.  The book takes children through the process of casting, rehearsals, costume, promotion and more, using the menagerie of animal workers.
Audience: Grades K1,2,3
Subjects: Theatre--Production and direction
Standards: Basic Introduction to the concepts behind 1.0-5.0 Acting, writing, directing, analyzing, and knowing tools of trade.

Strand: Theatre

MacDonald, M. (1990). The Skit Book: 101 skits from kids. Hamden, CT: Linnet. 147p., 020802283X, $16.79 
A collection of skits written by young people with instructions for performance. The skits are arranged under such categories as "Cumulative Actions," "Silly Singers," "Skits With Trick Endings," "Skits From Jokes,"
"Musical Ensembles," and others. 
Audience: 3, 4, Teachers 
Subjects: Plays 
Standards: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 
Strand: Theater 

Manning, Mick (1999). Drama school. New York: Kingfisher. 47p. 0-7534-5178-6 $7.61
Provides information and advice on putting on all kinds of stage shows, discussing scripts, learning to act, working backstage, costumes and make-up, sound effects, and more.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3,
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 2.1
Strand: Theatre, Key Terms.

McCullough, L.E. (1998). Plays from Mythology. Lyme, NH: Smith and Kraus. 141p., 1575251108, $14.95 
Presents twelve original plays that are dramatic adaptations of myths from around the world. 
Audience: 3, 4, Teachers 
Subjects: Mythology, Drama, Plays 
Standards: All 
Strand: Theater 

Roddy, R. M. (1995). Monologues for Kids. Rancho Mirage, CA:Dramaline Publications. 59p. 0940669021, $10.75 
Contains twenty-eight short speeches for performance by youngsters, half for girls and half for boys, addressing common children's concerns such as family relations, pets, and friendship. 
Audience: K, 1, 2, 3, 4 
Subjects: Monologues, Acting, Drama 
Standards: 1.0 
Strand: Theater 

San Jose, Christine (1997). Sleeping beauty. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mill Press. 32p. 1-56397-636-6 $12.71
Combines rhyme and prose to retell the story of Sleeping Beauty, casting the heroine as the daughter of King and Queen Dormouse, who falls into a long, deep, sleep, but awakens to find her dreams of love have come true.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 2.3
Strand: Theatre..

Sierra, Judy. (1996). Multicultural Folktales for the Feltboard and Reader’s Theater. Phoenix: Oryx Press. 186p., 1573560030, $29.50
Teacher’s resource for executing folktales in dramatic forms
Audience: Teacher
Subjects: Storytelling, folktales, reader’s theatre
Standards: 2.0 Reading and writing scripts
Strand: Theatre

Arts
Grades K-4

Theatre Resources

Skip to Print and Media Resources

Web Sites

Finklestein, Richard. (unknown). Children's Theatre Links
URL: http://www.artslynx.org/theatre/children.htm
Audience: Grades: Teachers
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 1.1, 2.1
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

Johnson, Matthew (1995). Kabuki for everyone.
 This site has articles on Kabuki's history, summaries and explanations of major plays, an index of Kabuki related books & movies, videos of plays, sounds of the instruments and one can even see the make-up transformation of an actor.
URL: http://hotei.fix.co.jp/kabuki/kabuki.html
Audience: Grades 3, 4
Subjects: Theatre
Standard: 1.1, 2.1
Strand: Theatre, Connections.

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Visual Arts Resources

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Print and Media Resources

Artscape Videorecording (1983). Films for the Humanities. [Video]. (Available from Follett). Ref. # 40931V4. 2hrs. 8 VHS videocassettes + 8 guides. $299.00
Public performance rights. Introduces viewers to the basic concepts of visual arts by stimulating their perception and creation of art. The two main characters learn about design, explore techniques and materials, and learn about such masters as Van Gogh and Picasso.
Audience: Grades 3. 4
Subjects: Art design and creation
Standard: 1.3 ,6.1,7.1, 8.3
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections

Baylor, Byrd. (1972). When Clay Sings. New York: Scribner. 32p. 0-684-18829-5 $13.60
The daily life and customs of prehistoric southwest Indian tribes are retraced from the designs on the remains of their pottery.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.1
Strand: Connections

Bjork, Christina. (1997). Linnea in Monet’s Garden. 52p., 9129583144,, $10.95
A young girl visits the gardens of the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet and learns about the artist through his inspiration.  Gives a child’s perspective to interpreting art.
Audience: K,1,2,3
Subjects:  Monet, Art inspiration
Standards:1.0 Methods, materials, and techniques, 5.0 Critical response, 7.0 Role of the artist
Strand: Visual Arts

Blizzard, Gladys, K. (1992). Come look with me: animals in art. Charlottesville: Thomasson-Grant. 32p. 1-56566-013-7 $11.86
Presents twelve color reproductions of paintings of animals by such artists as Albrecht Durer, Paul Klee, and Robert Rauschenberg, with questions to stimulate discussion and background information on each artist and painting. Also by Blizzard and recommended: Come Look with Me: Exploring Landscape Art with Children.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.2
Strand: Connections

Bolton, Linda. (1992). Pop art. New York: Peter Bedrick Books. 32p. 0-87226-614-1. $14.41
Good introductions to revolutionary movements in modern art. Each volume begins with a brief, illustrated history of the style, its influences, and founders, followed by 10 double-page spreads focusing on individual artists. These spreads, arranged in chronological order, include some biographical background and an analysis of two or three examples of each person's work. Informative texts are accompanied by well-chosen, vibrant reproductions representative of each style. Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Juan Gris, and Robert Delaunay are some of the painters featured in Cubism while Pop examines the work of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Patrick Caulfield, among others.
Audience: Grades 3,4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 5.2, 5.3, 7.1, 9.1
Strand: Visual Arts, Connections

Brown, Laura Krasny & Brown, Marc. (1990). Visiting the art museum. New York: Dutton. 32p. 0-14-054820-3 $10.66
As a family wanders through an art museum, they see examples of various art styles from primitive through twentieth-century pop art.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.2
Strand: Visual Arts

Burton, Jane. (1998). The nature and science of patterns. Milwaukee: G. Stevens. 32p. 0-8368-2107-6 $15.95
Describes the wide variety of patterns found throughout the plant and animal world including the petals of flowers, stripes of zebras, and scales of cones.
Audience: Grades 3,4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 2.5
Strand: Visual Arts

Chocolate, Debbi. (1996) Kente Colors. New York: Walker and Company. 32p. 0802783880, $15.95.
The Ashanti people of Ghana make Kente cloth, a traditional cloth worn by royalty.  Patterns and colors have significance. Wonderful for African curriculum and social studies frameworks connections.
Audience: K,1,2
Subjects: Ashanti people; Africa, Kente cloth
Standards: 2.1 Explore color, 2.7 Use and be able to identify color, 10-Interdisciplinary connections in history, social science and geography in studying African cultures.
Strand: Visual Arts

Cummings, Pat. (1992). Talking with artists: converstions with Victoria Chess, Pat Cummings, Leo and Diane Dillon, Richard Egielski, Lois Ehlert, Lisa Campbell Ernst, Tom Feelings, Steven Kellogg, Jerry Pinkney, Amy Schwartz, Lane Smith, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Wiesner. New York: Bradbury/Macmillan. 96p. 0-02-724245-5. $18.70
Fourteen distinguished picture book artists talk about their early art experiences, answer questions most frequently asked by children, and offer encouragement to those who would like to become artists.
Audience: Grade 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 7.1
Strand: Connections

Destiny Images. (2002). Colura's Colors [Close-Captioned Video Set of 10]. (Available from AIT), #456-VVV, 15 minutes each, $49.95 
Audience: K 
Subjects: Art Instruction, Colors 
Standards: 2.1 
Strand: Visual Arts 

Dodds, Dayle Ann. (1992). The color box. Boston: Little Brown and Co. 24p. 0316188204
Alexander a curious monkey explores worlds of color by climbing through holes of color in the pages of this book.  Each page exposes the world in one bold color while coaxing readers to the next page with a circular cut out of the next page’s color.  Giles Laroche illustrates the story with amazing paper cut outs.
Audience: K,1,2
Subjects: Color
Standards: 2.1 Color exploration and identification
Strand: Visual Arts

Dunrea, Olivier (1995) The Painter Who Loved Chickens. 32 p., 0374357293, $14.95
Man has desire to paint only chickens. He comes to success doing what he likes best although others along the way try to discourage him.
Audience: K,1,2
Subjects: Artists, Chickens
Standards: 2.8-2.11 Use and identify color, line, texture, shape and composition, 6.0 students will describe the purposes for which works of visual arts are created, 10.0 Interdisciplinary for science projects with life cycle using hatchery.
Strand: Visual Arts

Elhert, Lois (1988). Planting a Rainbow. San Diego: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich. p. 0152626093, $14.95
Vibrant colors bloom in rainbow order.  Any selections by author Lois Elhert include help in meeting standards for teaching Visual Arts.
Audience: K,1
Subjects: Color
Standards: 1.0 Exploring color
Strand: Visual Arts

Ehlert, Lois. (2000). Market Day. San Diego: Harcourt. 36p. 0-15-202158-2 $13.60
Ehlert enlists brief, rhyming text and photographed folk art to illustrate the preparation for and journey to market to sell vegetables. Jewel-toned dolls, baskets, flowers, and toys from the Americas, Africa, China, and Indonesia tempt readers to touch the items to try to experience the mix of textures. Young children will be captivated by the rhythm and colors, while older students will be inspired by the glorious array of handmade objects. A concluding picture dictionary of the exhibited folk art identifies each piece by materials and country of origin.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.1
Strand: Connections

Flux, Paul. (2001). How artists use pattern and texture. Chicago: Heinemann Library. 32p. 1-58810-082-0 $14.95
Explains what patterns and textures are in art, where they may be found in nature, and how they are used by artists.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 2.3, 2.5
Strand: Visual Arts

Gibbons, Gail. (1998). The Art Box.  New York: Holiday House. 32p. 0-8234-1386-1 $16.10
Gibbons introduces the contents of an art box. From underneath the lid the basic tools emerge and are vividly displayed on colorful double-page spreads complemented by handmade paper borders. The uses for the tools are noted and illustrated on each page. Some additional supplies and equipment are also mentioned such as easels, canvas, and palettes. A simple explanation of primary and secondary colors rounds out this solid beginning to the creative world of art.
Audience: Grade
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 1.4, 2.1
Strand: Visual Arts, Key Terms

Greenway, Shirley. (2000). Art: an A-Z guide. Danbury: F. Watts. 128p. 0-531-11729-4 $24.38
Each term is richly illustrated with examples. Sidebars highlight individual artists. The full-color photographs and reproductions, often several per concept, are lush and informative.  Work from ancient Egypt, 11th-century Peru, and 19th- and 20th-century Europe and the U.S. is included. Although art from Africa, Asia, and India is included, most of the illustrations feature Western art. An excellent introduction to art terms.
Audience: Grade 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.2
Strand: Visual Arts, Key Terms

Grossman, Virginia and Sylvia Long(1991) Ten Little Rabbits. Littleton, MA: Sundance Publishers. 26p., 08887419275
History of Native American woven patterns.  Virginia Grossman updates the traditional Ten Little Indians counting song with bunnies draped with woven blankets representing the various Native American cultures.
Audience: K,2
Subjects: Native Americans, patterns
Standards: 1.0 Students will demonstrate knowledge of the media, materials, and techniques unique to the visual arts.
Strand:Visual Arts

Henry, Sandi. (1999). Kids' art works! : creating with color, design, texture & more. Charlotte, VT: Williamson. 138p. 1-885593-35-X.
Provides more than fifty hands-on projects for original artwork, while teaching a variety of techniques and concepts in sculpture, prints, design, textiles, and texture.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 2.3
Strand: Visual Arts

Hoban, Tana. (1995). Colors everywhere. New York: Greenwillow Books. 32p. 0-688-12763-0 $16.89
Photographs display the range of colors in the world around us, showing the bright colors of jelly beans, umbrellas, butterflies, and roller skates.
Audience: Grades K, 1
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 2.1
Strand: Visual Arts

Hodge, Susie. (1998). Ancient Greek Art. Des Plaines: Heinemann. 32p. 1-57572-551-7 $16.95
Painting, mosaic, pottery, architecture, and sculpture are all introduced, with some of the most prominent examples chosen to illustrate and expand upon the narrative. Lengthy captions for the photographs and illustrations provide additional information. Fact boxes are interspersed to clarify points of history and/or art. Words in bold face are defined in a brief glossary; illustrations are included in the index. (Art in History series).
Audience: Grade 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.2
Strand: Connections

Hodge, Susie. (1998). Prehistoric Art. Des Plaines: Heinemann. 32p. 1-57572-553-3  $16.95
Examines the art of prehistoric times, including paintings, reliefs, sculptures, and pottery that has been found around the world. (Art in History series).
Audience: Grade 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 5.2, 8.1
Strand: Visual, Arts, Connections

Johnson, Crockett. (1955) Harold and the Purple Crayon. NY: Harper Collins. 60p. 006022936-5
This old classic is still in print for good reason.  Harold a small boy with a crayon is able to draw his way through a huge adventure and back home again.  Great exploration of the power of a simple line.  Emphasizes problem solving. 
Audience: K,1,2,34
Subjects: Line, Problem solving
Standards: 2.2 Line exploration
Strand: Visual Arts

Jonas, Ann (1989, 1999pbk), Color Dance. New York:Greenwillow. p., 0688059902, 0688167047(pbk.)
Dancers use sheer colored scarves to show how colors mix. Colors are named. Good dance, color exploration exercise.
Audience: K,1,2
Subjects:  Movement, Color
Standards: 2.1 explore the use of color in dry and wet media, 10 connections to dance with scarves exercises
Strand: Visual Arts, Dance

Joy, Richardson. (2000). Telling stories in art. New York: Gareth Stevens. Unpaged, 0836826280, $19.99.
Explores paintings which tell stories and inspires young artists to create stories with paint.
Audience: K,1,2
Subjects: Art exploration, art interpretation
Standards: 3.0 observation, abstraction, invention, and expression
Strand: Visual Arts

King,Andrew. (1998). Exploring Shapes. Brookfield, CT: Copper Beech Books. 32p. 0-7613-0851-2 $16.43
Games and projects introduce two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, including the square, rectangle, triangle, circle, and polygon.
Audience: Grades 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 2.4
Strand: Visual Arts

La Pierre, Yvette. (1994). Native American rock art: messages from the past. Charlottesville: Thomasson-Grant. 48p. 1-56566-064-1 $14.41
Petroglyphs and pictographs exist throughout the U.S. Through examination of the cultures that left these records, La Pierre demonstrates that rock art is more than the graffiti of ancient generations. While recognizing variations of mythology within Native American cultures. She discusses the mediums used to make these pictures and speculates on their significance to their creators. Pen-and-ink drawings washed with watercolors supplement full-color photographs of the rock art.
Audience: Grade 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.1
Strand: Connections

Le Tord, Bijou. (1999). A bird or two: A story about Henri Matisse. New York: William B. Eerdmans. Unpaged, 0802851843, $17.00
Explores the work of impressionist Henri Matisse.
Audience: 3,4
Subjects: Monet
Standards: 7.0 Role of artist
Strand: Visual Arts

Lucerne Media. (2002). Great American Painters [Video Series 0f 8]. (Available from Double Diamond Distribution), 10 minutes each, $199.95 for set or $29.95 each 
Audience: 3-6 
Subjects: Art, Artists 
Standards: 5.3, 6.1 
Strand: Visual Arts 

Lynn, Sara & James, Diane. (1992). Play with Paint. Minneapolis:Carolrhoda Books. 24p. 0-87614-755-4. $9.33.
Provides instructions for using paint in a variety of ways, including prints and stencils.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 2.1
Strand: Connections

MacDonald, Suse. (1994). Sea Shapes. San Diego: Harcourt Brace. 30p. 0-15-200027-5 $11.86
Familiar shapes such as circles, triangles, and stars are introduced through various sea creatures. On the verso of each double-page spread, the name of the shape is printed in clear letters; underneath it are four pictures that show a transition from the shape simply drawn to its counterpart on the animal.
Audience: Grades K, 1
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 2.4
Strand: Visual Arts

Micklethwait, Lucy. (1993). I spy two eyes. New York:Greenwillow Books. 48p. 0-688-12640-5 $16.96
This book is the companion to I Spy: An Alphabet in Art (1992): an unusual counting book in which objects are "spied" in 19 fine paintings (mostly Western) and one woodblock print, by artists ranging from Botticelli to Robert Indiana.  It takes keen eyes to find all of the items.   A novel and intriguing way to introduce fine art. Excellent color reproduction; artists' dates and dates and provenance of paintings given in endnotes. Also recommended by this author are A Child's Book of Art: Discover Great Paintings, A Child's Book of Play in Art and A Child's Book of Art: Great Pictures, First Words
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.2
Strand: Connections

Murdoch, David. (2000). North American Indian.  New York:DK. 62p. 0-7894-6609-0 $19.99
A visually stunning variety of pictures from many tribes and nations.
Audience: Grade 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.2
Strand: Connections

Priceman, Marjorie. (2001). It’s Me. Marval: A story of color & optical illusions. New York: Alfred a Knopf. Unpaged, 0679889930, $15.95
This resource explores color through the mistakes and messes of Marva the inventor.
Audience: 2,3,4
Subjects: Color
Standards: 1.0 Methods, materials, and techniques
Strand: Visual Arts

Roche, Denis. (1998). Art around the world: Loo-Loo, Boo, and more art you can do. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 32p. 0-395-85597-7 $12.75
Presents instructions for making art projects from around the world including Mexican weaving, Peruvian burial masks, Norwegian Viking helmets, French stained glass, and Chinese scrolls.
Audience: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Visual Arts
Standard: 8.2
Strand: Connections

Rubin, Susan Goldman. (2000). Fireflies in the dark: the story of Freidl Dicker-Brandeis and the children of Terezin.
47p., 0823414612, $18.95
The story of a Jewish art teacher who while a prisoner in a concentration camp during WWII, taught art to the children imprisoned with her.   Resource includes artwork, diary excerpts, and interviews.
Audience: 3,4
Subjects: Art instruction, WWII
Standards: 7.0 Roles of artists in the community, 10.0 Interdisciplinary connections
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