Part B: Annotated Resource List

1. Cyberschoolbus. (n.d.). Retrieved April 05, 2014, from United Nations – global teaching and learning project website: http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/index.shtml

 

Found using Diigo.com as a selection aid this website has been created by the UN with the specific purpose of informing students about its functions. There is a lot of content but it is well organised and easy to navigate (“Great websites for kids,” 1997).  The UN intro tab is the place our students would begin. This area has 6 pages. The text is laid out like a textbook and it has a secondary school reading level so would be accessible to the better readers in grade 5. Unfortunately there are no hyperlinks or bold key words within the text so specific terms, agencies and vocabulary are not easily identified. On the final page of this tab there is an organisational chart showing the six main areas of the UN. This chart is hyperlinked but to the main UN website. This link does provide further links to UN agencies so would provide rich information for ‘going further’ in the inquiry though requires an advanced reading level.

 

2. Everything you always wanted to know about the United Nations: For students at Intermediate and Secondary levels (PDF). (2008). United Nations Department of Public Information. Retrieved from https://unp.un.org/Details.aspx?pid=20920

 

Found using Diigo.com as a selection aid, published by the UN this booklet has obvious authority and accuracy. There are no preview options with this resource so it is difficult to assess the treatment of the subject, organisation or literary merit. It is 68 pages in length and is a downloadable PDF. Without the ability to preview the resource it is difficult to apply many of the selection criteria (Hughes-Hassell & Mancall, 2005, p.44). Described as a “great tool for introducing children to the United Nations” (“Product details,” n.d.) it is clearly aimed at Intermediate level students and seems to offer the overview about the UN that our students will need. The text is also described as “easy to read” (“Product details,” n.d.) which would be helpful for our reading at lower lexile levels. This booklet is available for download or online in 9 languages three of which would be useful to our grade 5 students.

 

3. United Nations at a glance (PDF). (2012). United Nations Department of Public Information. Retrieved from https://unp.un.org/Details.aspx?pid=23093

 

Found using Diigo.com as a selection aid search, Diigo was a surprisingly useful selection aid, though more of a location aid providing links to these specific UN created resources (“Diigo Search Titles, Tags,” n.d.). Published by the UN this booklet has obvious authority and accuracy. There are no preview options with this resource so it is difficult to assess the treatment of the subject, organisation or literary merit. It is 224 pages in length and is a downloadable PDF. (Hughes-Hassell & Mancall, 2005, p.44). Described as “a starting point for readers who are new to the UN, in clear language this book explains what the UN does, how the UN does it…” (“Product details,” n.d.) This would definitely provide information for the first stages of the inquiry unit. One aspect that appeals with this resource is that it includes “definitions of frequently used terms” (“Product details,” n.d.) which would be invaluable to our students. This would also provide useful information for the later ‘going further’ stages of the inquiry. It appears to only be available in English.

 

4. The United Nations: It’s your world. (2008, November 6). Podcast retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHmXZXsABm0

 

Found on the UN publications website this resource is created by the UN so provides reassurance as to accuracy and authority (Hughes-Hassell & Mancall, 2005, p.44). This podcast is also available on loan in DVD format through the Brussels regional office free of charge to educational institutions for Western Europe countries only. The UN regional office in Ankara, Turkey may be able to help get a DVD copy of this resource. The narration is clear though it does cover a lot of material in a short time – 7 minutes. The footage shows scenes from the origins of the UN through to modern day with an emphasis on children. The narrative begins with showing disaster relief then chops back to the origins and purpose of the UN. It covers many of the agencies and function of the UN. It is available in 5 languages all of which would help grade 5 students. There is no specific accompanying resource material. All criteria specific for DVD evaluation was found in Evaluation and selection of learning resources: a guide which was very useful (Prince Edward Island Department of Education, 2008, p.32).

 

5. Bookmiller, K.N. (2008) Global organisations: The United Nations. New York, NY: Chelsea House.

 

This is available in print and as a Follett e-Book with unlimited access which means many students can download simultaneously. Found using a Follett Titlewave search under the subject heading United Nations. Titlewave is linked to our Follett catalogue and it will show if we have that specific title or one like it in our collection already. As it is an eBook it is able to be previewed. The chapters cover the origins of the UN, how it works and key areas of responsibility. The language is at secondary level so would be for more able readers in grade 5. The final chapter is “The UN: Its predicaments and promise” which shows the coverage is balanced in treatment. Titlewave includes reviews from Journals in its book records when available this book has been highly recommended as “a must purchase for school libraries” (Yutzey, 2009, p. 91). The added appeal of this resource is that it can be purchased and added to our eBook collection in a matter of days.

 

6. Von Warburg, A. S. (Producer). (2007, July 11). United Nations for kids. Podcast. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/ObaMsumuR29Q

 

Sourced from the Watchknowlearn.org database found through the Diigo search this video is in two parts. The first part deals clearly with the origin and six key areas of the UN. The second part explains the Millennium Goals. A mix of animation, still photograph and video footage this provides a simple overview of the UN. The narrator speaks clearly with an accent which will not be an issue for our students. The information given is concise and the films are short – 7 minutes long. There are good subtitles which give visual support to the spoken information, all of which are important selection criteria for DVDs (Prince Edward Island Department of Education, 2008, p. 32). It was given 5/5 stars on the Watchknowlearn website (“United Nations,” n.d.) and was viewed more than 1000 times. Watchknowlearn is a website run by teachers and educational professionals who invite teachers to suggest videos for inclusion to their directory.

 

7. MacQueen, N. (2010). The United Nations: a beginner’s guide.  London: Oneworld.

 

Found using Follett Titlewave subject search this book is listed as having an interest level of young adult (YA) which would make the content accessible by our better readers in grade 5. Norrie MacQueen is senior lecturer in International relations at the University of Dundee and has written several books about the work of the UN (Oneworld, n.d). From the description given in Titlewave the book “provides information on its [UN] structure, purpose, key personalities, major resolutions, peace keeping record and impact on the world,”  (“Titlewave Search – United,” n.d.). While the reading level is a little advanced the author has authority and credibility in this field and the book is a recent publication. Without any preview options it is difficult to apply selection criteria such as treatment of the material, arrangement and organisation and literary merit to the book and there are no reviews on Titlewave for it (Hughes-Hassell & Mancall, 2005, p.44). Despite this it has been selected for the list over other titles discovered through the Titlewave search which had negative reviews or were too advanced in reading age (“Titlewave Search – United,” n.d.).

 

8. Connolly, S. (2009). The United Nations. Collingwood, ON: Saunders Book Company.

 

Found using Titlewave subject search this book has an interest level of grades 5 – 8. The Titlewave entry includes a review from Library Media Connection by a Media Specialist from Ohio explaining that this book has a glossary which would be very useful for our students. She does go on to warn that the text can be hard to follow due to the amount of boxed information and pictures included on every page (Legg, 2009, p.93). Despite this it offers information on the birth of the UN and its structure. One thing that would also add to its value is that the Titlewave description includes that it has “views of those who support or criticise the UN,” (“Titlewave Search – United,” n.d).  This provides useful balance in the opinions about the organisation and helps address any political bias that may be in resources solely sourced from the UN itself as pointed out in selection criteria (Prince Edward Island Department of Education, 2009, p. 29). This selection criterion was formulated for selecting learning resources and is very helpful due to the detail it provides.

 

9. United States history: History and functions of the United Nations [DVD]. (2010). USA: Cerebellum Corporation.

 

Found through a Titlewave subject search this resource is listed as having an interest level of grade 5- 8. The narrator is Tru Hawkins and the DVD was originally produced in 1996. In the description in Titlewave the DVD traces the development of the UN as an organisation from its origins through its many aims and activities (“Titlewave Search – United,” n.d.).   It is 30 minutes in length and unfortunately there are no reviews on Titlewave or on Amazon. The appeal of this resource is that it is a DVD as opposed to a resource on YouTube, with the present Turkish government ban on YouTube having a DVD resource would be beneficial. The length of the DVD would suggest that it does go into more detail than the other video resources in the list. Without reviews or a preview option it is not possible to measure this resource against selection criteria. The title does suggest there would be a bias toward the United States involvement with the UN. This is why it is low on the selection list.

 

10. Sasek, M. (1968).  This is the United Nations. London: W. H. Allen.

 

Located using Library Thing, (“Library Thing Works Search,” n.d.) this book is no longer in print though used copies are available through Amazon.com from $39.84. The work of this author is much admired and this book was published in the series of books “This is…” exploring major cities of the world and some countries as well. These books are now being republished through Universal publishing company. This book on the United Nations was on the International Board for Young People Honour List in 1979 (Horvat, 2013). This writer/illustrator is much admired and his iconic books are still accessible for children today though the text may be “a little old fashioned,” (Horvat, 2013).  This is not a ‘must have’ resource for this unit but it offers a point of difference to the other resources and adds some enjoyment and exploration for visual learners. A review by Griselda Barton in Children: more than just a pretty face, The Times Saturday Review, June 22 1968 explained that the book is “delightfully illustrated and highly informative,” (“This Is the United,” 2003) which suggests it has some value as an information resource.

References

Bookmiller, K. N. (2008). Global organisations: the United Nations. New York, NY: Chelsea House.

Connolly, S. (2009). The United Nations. Collingwood, ON: Saunders Book Company.

Cyberschoolbus. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from United Nations – global teaching and learning project website: http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/index.shtml

Diigo search titles, tags, annotations and urls – United Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from https://www.diigo.com/search?what=United+Nations&adSScope=community

Everything you always wanted to know about the United Nations: For Students at Intermediate and Secondary levels (PDF). (2008). United Nations Department of Public Information. Retrieved from https://unp.un.org/Details.aspx?pid=20920

Great web sites for kids selection criteria. (1997). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from Association for library service to children website: http://www.ala.org/alsc/greatwebsites/greatwebsitesforkids/greatwebsites

Horvat, R. (2013, November 16). This is Miroslav Sasek [Blog post]. Retrieved from If it happened yesterday, its History website: http://roberthorvat30.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/this-is-miroslav-sasek-2/

Hughes-Hassell, Sandra; Mancall, Jacqueline C. (2005). Collection management for youth: Responding to the needs of learners. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com

Legg, H. (2009). Greenpeace./The International Red Cross./The United Nations./The World Health Organisation. Library Media Connection, 27(6), 93.

Library Thing works search: United Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from https://www.librarything.com/search.php

MacQueen, N. (2010). The United Nations: a beginner’s guide. London: Oneworld.

Prince Edward Island Department of Education. (2008) Evaluation and selection of learning resources: a guide. Prince Edward Island. Department of Education. Retrieved from http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/ed_ESLR_08.pdf

Product details. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from United Nations Publications website: https://unp.un.org/Details.aspx?pid=20920

Sasek, M. (1968). This is the United Nations. London: W. H. Allen.

This is the United Nations. (2003). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from This is Miroslav Sasek website: http://www.miroslavsasek.com/books/thisis/un.html

Titlewave search – United Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=b21f44e330c5fcc442a8f41d5d1b3a97#I2

United Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Category.aspx?CategoryID=1143

The United Nations: It’s your world. (2008, November 6). Podcast retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHmXZXsABm0

United States history: History and functions of the United Nations [DVD]. (2010). USA: Cerebellum Corporation.

Video and DVD catalogue. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2014, from United Nations regional information centre for Western Europe website: http://www.unric.org/en/unric-library/12#history

Von Warburg, A. S. (Producer). (2007, July 11). United Nations for kids. Podcast retrieved from http://youtu.be/ObaMsumuR29Q

Yutzey, S. D. (2009). Global organisations. Library Media Connection, 27(4), 91.