ELEMENTARY REVIEW

Introductory Overview

     Our reviews include a textbook, a teacher resource, a news article, a self-published historical fiction picture book, a web application, and a video resource. This wide range of resource reviews can make it somewhat difficult to apply a generalized rubric, which is why we have decided to choose an open ended rubric consisting of six different aspects related to quality social studies material. The rubric is outlined in detail here, and includes concepts such as age appropriateness, effectiveness of presentation, level of engagement, attention to social studies concepts, range of perspectives and respect for people and places. These categories include concepts such as Bloom's Taxonomy so as to encourage deeper level thinking.

     These six categories have been selected due to their deemed importance in both the success in teaching and learning, as well as the importance in the Program of Studies. For example, age appropriateness is always at the forefront of resource selection, for obvious reasons, whereas the level of engagement is absolutely vital to the success of learning, because if children are disengaged with the resource, they will be disengaged with the material as well. Presentation is important in respect to both engagement and age appropriateness, as well as the conduciveness to learning. Attention to social studies concepts is important in strengthening student's own knowledge shaped to foster citizenship. Range of perspectives and respect for people and places go hand in hand in providing both a politically correct resource, as well as a realistically accurate resource that models proper respect which undermines prevelant bigotry.

     Each category has been assigned a score out of ten, ten being the best. The total score out of sixty is then given a letter grade, as per an average distribution in a classroom. We decided that teaching resources should be evaluated in the same way that our students are evaluated, bringing a familiar and understandable rating to our reviews. 

     In overview of the appropriateness of the reviewed resources, Justin's reviews begins first with the desktop application Google Earth. Google Earth is strongly connected to helping students "appreciate the diversity of elements pertaining to geography, climate, geology and paleontology in Alberta." Students may see for themselves through the application the immense diversity of geographical features in Alberta. It allows children to discover through their own exploration what the features of Alberta exactly are. They can see the sweeping landscape, bodies of water, and even up close and personal with Google Streetview. The hundreds of data layers only add to the usefulness and scalebility presented in Google Earth.

     Justin's second review is on the video resource "Heritage Minute". These videos provide for differentiated instruction as per the theory of multiple intelligence theory—some students will connect more strongly with a video than text. The video also serves to excite student interest and can provide continued inquiry and follow-up questions. The video helps to meet a difficult outcome to assess, that is, "4.1.1 ­Appreciate the diversity of elements pertaining to geography, climate, geology and paleontology in Alberta," echoing a lot of the same sentiments found in the other technological resource found in Google Earth.

    The third review is on fictional literature, which is Justin's self-published historical fiction picture book "City of Bones." The book was written to answer a large gap in the historical fiction about the area surrounding the Badlands. The value of the book really shines when it is used as a segway into deeper thought—levels of analysis, creation, and evaluation on Bloom's Taxonomy. The book lacks an absolute ending, instead choosing to inquire what the audience thinks, requiring them to research current Drumheller to find the answer. This meets 4.1.4 of the Program of Studies, helping to meet outcomes such as answering, "In what ways do the physical geography and natural resources of a region determine the establishment of communities?" as well as answering "how natural resources are used by Albertans."

    The resources that Jessica focused on included Voices of Alberta People, Places and Possibilities Textbook and teacher resource, and a news article called Hereditary Chief Demands Ottawa Museum Return Artifacts or Show Bill of Sale. These resources align to the social studies POS, as the Voices of Alberta textbook and teacher resource are authorized resources, created to teach curriculum concepts. These resources help students and teachers align activities and info to the specific outcomes, as all of the information and activities fit to the POS. These resources are designed for an inclusive classroom and for ELL learners.

     The news article aligns with the POS, in that it can be used as an example of how First Nations and non First Nations people and organizations make amendments and compromises with each other. This relates to the skills and processes of the Program of Studies 4.S.5 where demonstration of the ability to deal constructively with diversity and disagreement are looked at and considering the needs and points of view of others are looked at as well. Not only is this demonstrated in the news article, it is an expectation that students will learn how to do this in social studies. This article also fits with the First Nations unit that students cover in the curriculum, which will benefit students although they are using this article for a different unit.