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Webmama's Favorite Books:
Education Books

I am very influenced by Waldorf education, so this book was something I had to read, since it's a modern Waldorf classic. And even if you are not interested in Waldorf, you will find many jewels of wisdom in this book. I don't agree with all things Waldorf, and there are a couple things in this book that are not as important to me...but there are SOOOO many things that are absolutely wonderful in this book! It talks about a different way of looking at children and childhood and learning how important it is to really encourage imaginative play and to set up the environment in such a way as to be beautiful and conducive for enriching play...and so much more. Check this book out for an excellent introduction to some basic Waldorf concepts, and just glean some great insights you may not have learned before. Great for teachers and parents alike.

Who's Calling the Shots?
How to Respond Effectively to Children's Fascination with War Play & War Toys
by Nancy Carlsson-Paige & Diane E. Levin

This is an INCREDIBLE book! I think EVERYONE should read it! It will make you see things in a whole new light. Not just about war play, this book dives into even deeper issues, including the media's marketing to children, the importance of dramatic play to our children's healthy development, and much more! I have written to Oprah and Rosie O'Donnell repeatedly as well as every major news show, to do a story on this book and what it has to say! I feel THAT strongly about it!
This book talks about how its natural for kids to play war games...there can be a level of healthiness to it. This book gives you dos and don'ts for war play and explains why this is such an ever-present theme in young children's play. I also found it fascinating to read the information on how this kind of play has evolved over time. The authors explain why the war play of today is very different from the war play of our parents and grandparents. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone!!

Good Earth Art: Environmental Art for Kids
by MaryAnn F. Kohl & Cindy Gainer

This has some really fantastic art projects for kids of all ages, all "earth friendly!" I especially love how the authors use symbols to help you quickly find the projects that are appropriate for your specific needs! Very user-friendly book!

How to Talk so Kids Can Learn: At Home & in School
by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

This is a fantastic book that is really easy to read! (A must for me!) It even incorporates cartoons to help you to see how the different approaches will solicit different outcomes...and guides you to understanding what really is a better way of communication with kids. There are things in here we've all done before, and never thought about how they may be affecting the outcomes of situations with the children in our lives. It makes you stop and think!

More...Dribble Drabble: Process-Oriented Art
by Deya Brashears with Lea Brashears

I love the projects in this book! Some fantastic art to do with kids...all focusing on the "process," not the "product." With children, particularly the very young, this is vital for their healthy development & creativity. I can't tell you how much it drives me CRAZY to still see so many teachers using coloring pages and pre-prepared "art" with children! Do they really think that a child can truly benefit from a creation that was drawn, & often cut out by someone else? And then to be told WHERE to paste the pieces, or what colors to use, so that it looks just like everyone else's? The "hands-on" is what counts, not what the thing looks like in the end! Any project that allows each child to put their individuality into it, & have fun in the process is ART! Not "cookie cutter," teacher-directed "art" where you can't tell the difference between the kids' work! So, use this book to have FUN with some kids!

Mudpies to Magnets: A Preschool Science Curriculum
by Robert A Williams, Robert E. Rockwell & Elizabeth A. Sherwood

Another terrific preschool curriculum book! This book is divided into topic areas..."Science Center Activities," "Construction & Measurement," "Circle Time..." etc...Age appropriateness is mentioned, as well as words to introduce, things you'll need, what to do, & what to do for more. A good book for bringing science into the preschool classroom! Many of the activities can also be adjusted for older kids, also.

The Outside Play & Learning Book: Activities for Young Children
by Karen Miller

This one really came in handy for that outside play time when you just want to add a little structure to it! Some great activities for preschoolers! It's sectioned into themes, like "The Wonderful World of Make-Believe," "Wheels, Wheels, Wheels," "Dig It-Things to do with Sand & Mud," & much more! And each activity tells what age its appropriate for as well as what materials are needed, what to do, what to do for more, and what they can learn from the activity.

The Peaceful Classroom: 162 Easy Activities to Teach Preschoolers Compassion & Cooperation
by Charles A. Smith, PhD

This is a curriculum book that no preschool teacher should be without! Each activity even includes what center it could be used at! (Circle time, Art area, etc.) It lists words that you can introduce to the children through the activity, as well as what to do, what you need, what to do for more, & involving parents! Age appropriateness is cited, and the table of contents breaks the activities into themes. A very useful tool!

Playfair: Everybody's Guide to Noncompetitive Play
by Matt Weinstein & Joel Goodman

For those of you who remember "New Games," you will see a LOT of similarity here! Including the fact that they both appear to be out-of-print. This is an awesome book for all ages, including adults. Probably not very useful with preschoolers, but you may be able to adjust some of the games for them if you are real creative! Noncompetitive play, for some reason, is seen as an alternative way to do things...but this book talks about how it really is better in many settings, particularly with children. An all-around feeling of positiveness and group togetherness is accomplished through these games! And I guarantee there won't be anyone not laughing their pants off! Some of these would be terrific at staff meetings to help with team-building!

Rain Forest: The Latest Information & Hands-On Activities to Explore Animals, Plants, & Geography
by Robin Bernard

Some of the activities in this book I had to adjust to make it more "hands-on" and less "teacher-directed, cookie cutter art"...but there is some fantastic ideas in here if you are doing a unit on the rain forest! It comes with a really terrific poster, & copyable pages for games and such. This was designed for grades 2-5, but I'm sure can be adjusted...I used some of this during "Habitats Week" at the Discovery Center Summer Science Camp, & the kids (all ages) really dug it! (I highly recommend turning your room into a jungle to help with the effect...the kids really get into the process & jungle nature tapes are not hard to find to add to the mood!)

Science Is...A source book of fascinating facts, projects & activities
by Susan V. Bosak

Man did this book ever come in handy! This has every possible type of science activity you can imagine in it...most are very neat! (And for those that aren't...well, I've gotten quite good at tweaking things to suit me...) And it's so user-friendly, with charts dividing it into sections and subject areas. According to the book, it's designed for 6-14 yr olds...but can easily be adjusted for other ages too!

Sharing the Joy of Nature: Nature Activities for All Ages
by Joseph Cornell

This book appears to be out-of-print. But it's still possible to sometimes find used copies...The activities in Cornell's books are just NEAT! I have used quite a lot of Mr. Cornell's activities & they are great even with attitude-driven 6th graders! If you love nature, as I do, check this out for some ideas...also would be neat to do with you own children!

Sharing Nature with Children: The Classic Parents' & Teachers' Nature Awareness Guidebook
by Joseph Cornell

This is actually the first of these books, "Sharing the Joy of Nature" was the sequel. This one is still in print. And, of course, this book is just as awesome!

Special Day Celebration: Seasonal Mini Celebrations to Enjoy with Young Children
by Elizabeth McKinnon

This book has some really neat ideas for activities to celebrate holidays! It also introduces some new holidays! Designed for preschool aged children, it is divided into seasons & a short history of each celebration as well as age-appropriate activities & often songs.

Engaging Children's Minds: The Project Approach
by Lilian G. Katz & Sylvia C. Chard

This was a textbook in one of my child development classes, and I still find that it has some really terrific info in it! Very good for curriculum planning.

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