Changing Curriculum through Stories: Character Education for Ages 10-12

by Marc Levitt

Overview

Changing Curriculum Through Stories: Character Education for Ages 10-12 is a book about transforming school culture from one that supports a culture of competition to one where an understanding of how we are 'All In it Together’ permeates what is studied and how. Whether the issue is ‘going along to get along’, ‘shunning an outsider’, 'bullying', ‘learning to share', 'anger management' or 'forgiveness', Changing Curriculum Through Stories: Character Education for Ages 10-12 makes clear how an individual's behavioral choices, seemingly without consequences, ultimately effect everyone, including themselves. Using original and folkloric stories as jumping off points for discussions, Marc Levitt’s new book provides a holistic antidote to 'shallow selfishness', substituting instead, a curriculum and a pedagogy that provides the intellectual and visceral tools to help students understand and to act based on an awareness of their connections to one another, the value of community and the joy of living amidst diversity of all kinds.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475835922
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	05/24/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	133
File size:	876 KB

About the Author

Marc Levitt is an author/consultant/filmmaker/radio host and producer who has worked in over sixty countries. His films, Stories in Stone and Woven in Time have been seen on PBS and at film festivals around the United States and his radio show,Action Speaks, Underappreciated Dates that Changed America, has been broadcast on over 200 Public and Independent stations.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
How Can You Use This Book
Stories, Thoughts and Curriculum/Pedagogical Suggestions
Chapter One: Andrea's Party and How Gary Became Part of a Conspiracy Not to Attend One
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions: Social Studies, English, Critical Thinking and Media Studies
Chapter Two: Long John Skinny; Too Tall, Too Thin or Was He?
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions; Multiple Intelligence Theory, Cooperative Learning
Chapter Three: The Tickle Karate Master
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions; History and Economic Policy
Chapter Four: How Important Is a House of Cards
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions; Literacy and Physical Education
Chapter Five: Giuseppe the Juggler; To Share or Not To Share?
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions; Science and Inventions, Arts, Copyright Law
Chapter Six: Alligator, All That? (Folktale from India)
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions; Gender Studies, Media Studies and Social Studies
Chapter Seven: Nasrudin; The Wise Fool and the Meaning of Clothes (Folktale from Turkey)
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions; Fashion and Media Studies
Chapter Eight: Two Woodchucks and the Art of Forgiving
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions; History, Global Studies, and Religious Studies
Chapter Nine: How the ‘Grouse’ Earned Their Name
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Curriculum and Pedagogical Suggestions; History, Science, Physical Education, and Business
Chapter Ten: The Mouse's Problem and Yours!
Questions for Students
Thoughts for Students
Thoughts for Teachers
Conclusion
Conclusion for Students
Conclusion for Teachers
A Bonus Story for Completing This Book... for Students and Teachers!

Editorial Reviews

Marc Levitt’s book Changing Curriculum through Stories: Character Education for Ages 10-12 is a combination of storytelling and teaching, a book that educators will be able to learn a great deal from. Levitt is able to convey the necessity of reintroducing character education into all of our schools, and gives educators concrete ways to do this.If you are an educator, looking for a way to entertain your students, while at the same time teaching them values that they can practice, then reading Changing Curriculum through Stories: Character Education for Ages 10-12 is the book for you.

Robin Wildman

Marc Levitt’s new book, Changing Curriculum through Stories: Character Education for Ages 10-12, provides upper-grade elementary teachers with an interdisciplinary blueprint to help them teach their students ethical behaviors and decision-making. Major themes addressed include the ramifications of: Gossiping, Teasing, Bullying, Cooperating, Forgiving, and Friendship. Utilizing short narratives, folk tales, fables, and Levitt’s own personal experiences, students are drawn to examine the problematic situations that the various characters find themselves encountering. I believe this book to be a valuable resource for teachers to promote classroom cooperation and support students as they explore and find ‘their better angels.’

Mark Schwartz

One of the core values on which Restorative Justice in Education is grounded is the notion that we are all valued and interconnected. Eschewing the notion of rugged individualism that plagues our world, Marc uses his creative energy to design a resource for elementary educators who are wanting to build a more interconnected and restorative world. I see this resource as a great way to begin conversations about how we do that. May we all work to help the next generation do this better.

Katherine Evans

Through a series of evocative stories and gentle wisdom, Marc Levitt provides a valuable introduction to the ancient human arts of ethical living, sharing and social cooperation. We learn about useful ways to deal with bullies, group conflict and simple disagreements while fostering better ways to collaborate and bring out the best in each other. Kudos to Levitt for helping teachers and children learn to rediscover the commons and commoning in modern life!

David Bollier