To See A World: World Cultures and Geography
1.
Establishment of Need: The Social Studies Department decided that a new
textbook was needed after review of the current textbook, which is 20 years
old and very outdated. The committee wanted a textbook that would cover all
aspects of our world in a non-ethnocentric way. The book in question is To
See A World: World Cultures and Geography, published by Houghton Mifflin
Company of Boston in 1994.
2.
Procedures for Evaluation: The Social Studies department selected a
committee to examine five social studies textbooks. The committee consisted
of four social studies teachers and two curriculum planners. The committee
evaluated the texts and selected this one as the book that would best fit the
needs of the school. The publishing company was checked for quality and
reviews of the book were also taken into consideration.
3.
Committee Recommendations: The committee recommends that the school
system buy this book due to the following reasons: (1) The text has great
supporting materials to go along with each unit; (2) Activities suggested can
be integrated throughout the curriculum; (3) Activities included cover all three
domains of learning; (4) The text itself is easy to read and easy to
comprehend.
4.
Rationale for Recommendations: The committee recommends this book for
many reasons. First of all, the text contains many recent pictures that do not
hold stereotypical views. The book is bright and colorful and contains
different layouts for each section so that the students do not get bored with the
same thing. The print is large and easy to read. Chapter reviews and critical
thinking questions are present at the end of each chapter to help the children
apply the knowledge they have learned.
5.
Basic Information and Projected Cost: This textbook starts out with a look at
the world and then goes into its origins. It then takes a deeper look at the life
and culture of each continent. This will give students a wide variety of
information about other people and their cultures. The book provides many
opportunities for including outside resources and various activities. Costs are
well within the budget.
Social Studies
1.
Poole, Ann B. Families and Neighbors. Scott, Foresman and Company, Glenview,
Illinois. 1991.
Examines the family, friends, and neighbors, the need for rules, and
choices, our country, and our world. Includes an index as well as a
resource section with a picture glossary.
2.
Banks, James A. Communities Near and Far. MacMulan/McGraw – Hill Publishing
Company, New York. 1995.
Discusses different ethnic communities as well as community differences
in size and location. Also discusses how communities grow, change, and
govern themselves. In addition, this book contains an index, and reference
section, as well as a glossary of key vocabulary.
3.
Too See A World. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 1994.
This book looks at the world, its origins, and its cultures from east to west
and everywhere in between. It explores each continent and its people. It
includes an atlas, glossary, dictionary, and an index.
4.
Welton, David. Children and Their World. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2001
This book contains teacher – tested student activities and unit planning
guides for the K – 8 teacher. In addition, it has an annotated list of
children’s literature, an index, a picture glossary, and keywords each
chapter.