Should we put the concerns of the globe or a nation first? Should we force our view of human rights on others? What is valuable about social or ethnic diversity? Should public schools
advocate openly for gender equality? How can we address religious plu- ralism in schools? Answering these questions is not easy, but the authors do an excellent job of helping educa- tors think through the necessities and challenges of creating global citizens, as well as some of the obstacles, such as the strong emphasis on standard- ized testing in schools. The book includes frameworks for building a sense of global community and practi- cal suggestions for bringing global content into the curriculum. This is an important book that everyone should read — not only educators, but also our political leaders. – (CK)
Teachers College Press, 2005, ISBN 0-8077-4534-0, 161 pp, $23.95 from Teachers College Press, (800) 575-6566, <
www.teacherscollegepress.com>.
Miracle Planet “Survival is the goal of life” is the key message of the five-episodeMiracle Planet documentary film series nar- rated by Christopher Plummer and co-
produced by the National Film Board of Canada and NHK Japan. Knitting together remarkable computer anima- tion, interviews with notable scientists and footage of important scientific locations worldwide, the films trace the emergence and evolution of life through geophysical and ecological challenges — asteroid bombardment, planetary ice ages, the appearance of predators and mass extinctions. The films are absolutely absorbing, although the narratives are sometimes stretched with controversial theory and time-compressed, surreal anima- tion.Miracle Planet is intended for ages 13 and up, but the films so clearly depict mass extinction and violent planetary catastrophe that they may best be reserved for senior high school audiences. A sheet of teaching sugges- tions for each episode is available from the NFB website. – (NM)
National Film Board of Canada and NHK Japan, 2006, five 50-minute DVDs in English or French, C$137.95 (institutional)/ $49.95 (home use) from NFB, (800) 267-7710 (Canada), (800) 542-2164 (US), <
www.nfb.ca>.
Feng Shui for the
Classroom In Feng Shui for the Classroom: 101 Easy-to-
Use Ideas, Renée Heiss shows how to apply this ancient Chinese method of design to create a learning atmosphere that is arranged for balance, harmony and flow, and is in agreement with nature. The premise is that students are more attentive and productive if the principles of feng shui are applied in their classrooms. In her well-orga- nized book, she explains clearly how this can be accomplished by eliminat- ing visual and physical clutter, keeping things clean, softening hard edges and surfaces with varying textures, adjust- ing the light, playing music, adding flowers, a fish tank or wind chimes, balancing dark and light colors, and/or adjusting seating. This is a book that could enable any teacher or home- schooler to design an environment that will appeal to the senses and allow for harmony and optimal learning. – (NS)
Zephyr Press, 2004, ISBN 1-56976- 174-4, 126 pp., US$16.95 plus $5.50 s&h from Zephyr Press, (800) 232-2187, <
www.zephyrpress.com>.
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