Folk Rhymes from Around the World: Teacher's Guide

Joan Buchanan is a writer, storyteller and instructor and author of
Taking Care of My Cold.

This student and teacher set is part of an Alternatives to Racism
program “dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding and
tolerance through multicultural anti-racist educational materials.”
Although largely based on samplings from Vancouver, B.C., the concepts
would appeal to students and teachers in any multicultural setting.
Skipping, counting, and nursery rhymes, tongue twisters, and rhyming
riddles from 20 different cultures are presented.

It is pleasing to see a wide spectrum of languages represented in the
student book: from Punjabi and Polish to Cantonese and Ntlaka’pamux
(Thompson, southern B.C.). Fittingly, Evelyn Neaman says in her
introduction that “folk rhymes are part of being a child everywhere in
the world. This makes us alike in a very special way.” The rhymes used
are the kind heard on streets and playgrounds across North America: they
interest and captivate children. Three of the rhymes are accompanied by
music. Although aimed at 7- to 10-year-olds, this book could be used
with older groups, especially English as a Second Language classes.

Sally Davis’s plentiful black-and-white illustrations exude
playfulness, warmth, exuberance, and joy. The cover is in color, and is
also lively and appealing.

The teacher’s guide lists worthy goals, objectives, and rationales
for studying folk rhymes, but the real meat is to be found in the
guidelines for setting up a folk rhymes module in the classroom.
Helpfully, the student masters that accompany some activities “may be
photocopied for classroom use.” Included are detailed suggestions of
how to introduce folk rhymes, and how to facilitate students’
interpretation, performance, collection, classification, and, finally,
publication of a class book. Practical bibliographies are also provided,
as are a Pride in Heritage checklist and a Learning Outcomes Record
Guide, both in reproducible master form. The student activities are
straightforward and effective.

The editor shows insight in her presentations of various cultures. The
package is attractive and sports sturdy coated covers. This book is
useful and fun for teachers and students alike.