This section of features and archives presents selected Anansi reviews of books, CDs and other media. Copyright on all items presented is held by the creators. All items are used with appropriate permission.
The initial book and other media reviews selected for inclusion within Anansi were prepared by DeKalb County, Georgia, Canby Lane School's CAENET homepage administrator Barbara C. Hallstrom. The first is a review of a very popular book with Canby Lane's first and second graders, I've Got Chicken Pox. The second is the other media review of an inexpensive, easily installed and very capable alternative to LCD Panels, AITech's MultiProCTV Encoder. The reviews are presented below.
Kelley, True. I've Got Chicken Pox,/written and illus by author,
unpaged 1st ed 1994.. Dutton.lib. ed. $13.99,
Gr. 1-3 ISBN 05 2545 185 4
This is a humorous tale of Jess who gets chicken pox at school! At first she is very happy to stay at home but the glamour wears off fast when she must take medicine and not go outside . At the bottom of each page the author lists one line facts about this childhood disease. Our first grade students fell in love with the story! In fact one student said it was the funniest story she had ever read!
reviewed by CAENET administrator Barbara C. Hallstrom
MultiProCTV is a multimedia device for use with the personal computer. The MultiProCTV converts a SVGA or VGA computer graphic output signal of 640x480 resolution to a standard NTSC or PAL video signal, so that the computer screen can be displayed on a standard classroom television or recorded on a video tape. High quality video output is also accommodated by an S-VHS output.
The encoder is small (5.4 by 3.9 inches) and is easily handled. A 9 volt DC power adaptor is included in the package together with; an RCA type standard video cable, an S-VHS (video) cable, a computer-to-encoder cable, and an F-to-RCA cable adaptor. The encoder has cable for both the PC and Mac II type computers. An easy to read instruction manual is also included.
The encoder replaces the standard computer-to-monitor setup and is easily installed. A cable from the encoder is installed to the normal computer video output port, and the encoder provides new ports for outputs to the monitor and the TV/VCR. The device provides the capability to simultaneously serve several TV/VCRs.
The MultiProCTV is an inexpensive (available at computer stores for less than $300), easily installed and very capable alternative to LCD panels. There is very little color distortion on the display screen(s) and the computer monitor signal is normal. The encoder is easily tuned for optimum TV/VCR performance and includes display screen controls.
reviewed by CAENET administrator Barbara C. Hallstrom
This teaching kit consists of a 38 minute video entitled "A Time For Justice" and a 108 page booklet entitled "Free at Last". A teacher's guide is also included.
The video "A Time For Justice" is narrated by Julian Bond and produced by Academy Award-winning documentary film-maker Charles Guggenheim. The video documents the Civil Rights Movement from 1954 to 1965. Photographs and footage of actual events are used. This Teaching Kit is complemented by the booklet "Free At Last," which is a collection of historical text, photos and biographical details which are germane to the video. The Teacher's Guide provides lesson plan objectives and details.
This is an accurate and dramatic presentation not suitable for the K through 3 grades. Its dramatic impact provides an intense and memorable learning experience for grades 4 and up and for many of the young teachers of today.
reviewed by CAENET administrator Barbara C. Hallstrom
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