Resource Reviews Questing, by Delia Clark and Steven Glazer,
is a guide for creating and exchanging treasure hunts in order to collect and share your com- munity’s distinct natural and cultural heritage. Each Quest focuses on a community story, envi- ronment, or character. Examples of successful rural and urban Quests are given. Your class will engage in relevant science, math, and technology activities, such as mapping, research of primary historical documents, and field identification, as well as meeting with local government or net- working with community groups. Questing. University Press of New England,
2004. 256 pages. $20.95. 800-421-1561. Wild Play, by David Sobel, is a new book
which examines how to support children’s organic development in connecting with the natural world. Written also as memoir of the author’s journey raising two children, there are many important lessons here for any educator or adult spending time with children. Exploration, sto- rytelling, sense of place, and rites of passage are some of the themes. The frank reflections on his own decision- making during of various experiences is particularly refreshing. This book is an excellent reminder to watch, engage with, and learn from the children we teach. Wild Play. Sierra Club Books, 2012. 231 pages. $15.95. 415-977-5500.
Healthy Neighborhoods, Health Kids Guide,
by Tiffany Tillman, is a wonderfully complete guide to investigating the health of the students’ neighborhoods. Use this clear guide to conduct
a study, define quality of life features, explore, assess the neighborhoods and make recom- mendations to local organizations or officials for improvements, and implement a plan to act on the recommendations. Throughout, helpful back- ground information, resources, reproducible mas- ters, logistics, and suggestions for working with volunteers are provided. The book draws on the work of environmentalists and educators such as Roger Hart, David Sobel, and Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe. Healthy Neighborhoods, Health Kids Guide.
Shelburne Farms’ Sustainable Schools Project, 2007. 169 pages. This is a free download from the website above. 802-985-8686.
Big Science for Grow-
ing Minds, by Jacqueline Grennon Brooks, is an out- standing guide that makes a strong case for the impor- tance of science education in the early grades. Follow- ing sound practices that are supported by research, the book describes constructiv- ist learning environments, teaching that supports inquiry, and fundamental concepts that can be taught with everyday objects. The author does a won- derful job of placing constructivism in the cur- rent age of standardized testing and little time for science instruction. This is a vital resource for any teacher of young children. Big Science for Growing Minds. Teachers
College Press, 2011. 178 pages. $26.95. 800-575- 6566.
WEBSITES Community Works Institute is dedicated to supporting educators in creating curriculum with
place as the context, service-learning as the strategy, and sustainability as the goal. They offer summer institutes as well as a journal and other excellent publications for teachers.
Promise of Place immerses students in local heritage, cultures, landscapes, opportunities and
experiences; uses these as a foundation for the study of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and other subjects; and emphasizes learning through participation in service projects for the local school and/or community.
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