Why History?

 

 

US & Cuba Relations, 6th Gr

 

PRINT RESOURCES: NON-FICTION

Fidel Castro : Cuban president & revolutionary, Katie Marsico 

http://www.amazon.com/Fidel-Castro-President-Revolutionary-Essential/dp/1604535229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260539385&sr=8-1

A newly released book that follows Castro's reign up through the end of his presidency in 2008.  The book focus more on US and Cuba relations than on  the chronology of Castro's life, with details of his family life left for sidebars.  Lots of primary source material incorporated including quotes from primary sources and images. 

 

Cuba,  David K. Wright 

http://tinyurl.com/yzwcsmr

Overview of modern-day Cuba with geography, facts and history.

 

Cuba, Sean Sheehan

http://tinyurl.com/y9lsxbc

From the Cultures of the World book series, this book captures the history, economy, and culture of Cuba with full page photos.  Reviewers note  "well organized in easily readable sections" along with timelines and maps.  Some list reading level as grade 5 and up, others grade 7.

 

Cuba in Pictures, Kumari Campbell 

http://tinyurl.com/y8c46uf

Geography, history and government of Cuba in accessible format.  Not as visually stunning as others in this series, but still useful.

 

Cuban kids, George Ancona

http://tinyurl.com/yam4nu8

Large, vivid photos taken by Acona, a photojournalist, depict Cuban children in everyday life.  Text is sparing but the photos might really help your students "see" into lives of kids living in Cuba today.

 

The Cuban Revolution, Earle Rice, Jr

http://tinyurl.com/ybzxe6x

History of Cuba prior to 1952.  Review notes that this book is for grades 6 and up, so it might be a bit of a stretch for some students.  However, reviewer also states that "writing is clear, and the numerous documented quotes are interesting." 

 

The Spanish-American War: remember the Maine!, Robert Somerlott

http://tinyurl.com/yeqz9cz

You mentioned you needed books on the USS Maine and Havana harbor.  This book, written for 5th gr and up, incorporates historical explanations along with primary accounts from the ship's captain and others that should help with your study.  Maps, pictures and a timeline included.

 

 

PRINT RESOURCES: FICTION

Dance, Nana, dance = Baila, Nana, baila: Cuban folktales in English and Spanish, Joe Hayes 

http://tinyurl.com/y987wts

Good as a read-aloud or small group reading, these folktales utilize classic motifs of animal tricksters with "uniquely Cuban elements." 

  

 

DVD/CD-ROM RESOURCES

American Experience: Fidel Castro (PBS)

http://tinyurl.com/yh3pr45

A 2005 production that documents the life of Fidel Castro through interviews.

          Teacher's guide

          http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/castro/tguide/index.html

          While the film might have sections that is accessible, most of the teacher resources are for much older students.  However, they might be helpful for teaching ideas.

 

Café cubano, Putamayo World Music 

http://tinyurl.com/y9zq2py 

How can you teach about Cuban culture without listening to some of their music?  This is just one of the many CDs available through WCLS. 

 

The Greening of Cuba, Food First

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/20_04/vide204.shtml 

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost all of its pesticides, petroleum and fertilizer imports.  Cuba then was forced to "go green" and grow food organically.  This 38 minute film is in Spanish with English subtitles.   Though adjunct to your study, it is a good teacher-resource and perhaps could tie in your study of Cuba with other topics.

 

 

ONLINE RESOURCES

     Premium Digital Resources (must have WCLS card to access) 

CultureGrams

http://online.culturegrams.com.ezproxy.wcls.org:2048/kids/kids_country.php?contid=6&wmn=North_America&cid=14&cn=Cuba

Basic, encyclopedic information on the history, culture and other facts about the country.  Check out the History section for a nice timeline and other information about Communism.

 

World Book Online

This is a great resource for you to use for primary source material, student research and basic background information.  Here are a few examples:

          Platt Amendment

          http://www.worldbookonline.com.ezproxy.wcls.org:2048/student/media?id=pc316329&st=cuba

          Primary source document that you can print out. 

          Spanish American War

          http://www.worldbookonline.com.ezproxy.wcls.org:2048/student/article?id=ar522920&st=cuba

 

     Non-Premium Digital Resources (do not need a WCLS card to access)

Cuba, US State Department

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2886.htm

Background notes on all aspects of Cuba inlcuding history, economy, government and human rights.  A good teacher resource, this might be too dense for most students.

 

Columbus and the Columbian Exchange, Digital History

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/columbus/columbus_maps.cfm

This has lesson plans on Columbus including a unit on using historical maps and one about who was Columbus.  Check out the teacher resource links as well. 

 

United Nations

          Human Rights Home Page, http://www.un.org/en/rights/

          Declaration of Human Rights  http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

          This is the full text of the Declaration of which portions might be helpful in your study of human rights in Cuba.     

          UN Cyber School Bus, http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/

          A potentially good resource that includes a link to a "plain language" UN Human Rights declaration. However, I could not get any of the links to work in the Human Rights lesson. 

          There are others that did work, including one on world hunger with a lesson plan designed for various age groups.   

 

Kennedy's News Conference Address on the Cuban Missle Crisis

http://tinyurl.com/y85ea9j

Kennedy's speech where he directs "surveillance be stepped up."  The urgency of the situatiuon can really be felt through his words. 

 

World on the Brink 

http://jfklibrary.org/jfkl/cmc/cmc_calendar_map.html 

From the JFK Presidential Library, this showcases documents from the 13 days of the Cuban Missle Crisis.