Roots of Empathy Curriculum - Voumes 1 to 3
Roots of Empathy is recommended as a program for use with students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 to promote understanding of human development, diversity, and the uniqueness of individuals.
Description
Author : Mary Gordon
Roots of Empathy
, 2000
Kit:
Training Manual (108 pages, b/w, hard cover, binder)
Three curriculum manuals - Volume 1 (245 pages, b/w, hard cover, binder), Volume 2 (226 pages, b/w, hard cover, binder), Volume 3 (168 pages, b/w, hard cover, binder)
Video (VHS, 11 minutes 25 seconds, plastic case)
Audiocassette and songsheets
Infant Blanket (green polar fleece, 118.11" x 118.11") and Infant Roll (pillow cover, zipper opening, washable fabric, 6" x 22") Children's literature, purchased by community - set of books required for each instructor (Kindergarten: 12 books required; Primary: 13 books required; Junior: 11 books required; Senior: 9 books required)
Doll, purchased by community (life-size 4-month-old soft infant doll with weighted head)
Infant toys, one of each for each instructor (Cribside graphics panels, foot finders, wrist rattle, clutch cube, stacking rings, fill and spill)
Grades : K-8
Concepts : Aggression, violence, inclusion, peace, attachment, family, infant care, child development, emotional intelligence, character education
Subjects : Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, ESL and English Literacy Development, Career Guidance and Life Skills
CSC Evaluation
Curriculum Correlation
Roots of Empathy is a multidisciplinary classroom program that focuses on the affective development of students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 by developing positive parenting skills. This learning resource reflects the overall goals of education and supports learning in Language Arts, Health, Mathematics, Music, Art and Social Studies.
Content
This classroom parenting program teaches human development, emotional literacy, and nurtures the growth of empathy using a variety of learning experiences differentiated for students according to age and grade. The information is presented in a style that is accessible for students at all levels of the elementary school program. Research, statistics, stories, and theories from well-known and highly respected psychologists, pediatricians, sociologists, and writers are included. An emphasis is placed on finding babies to take part in the program who are from a variety of cultural backgrounds and/or those who might be challenged in some respect. Trained personnel actively seek families who live in the school's community and encourage both parents to be involved in the program. Although the themes are the same for all students, the literature, discussions, and learning activities are age/grade appropriate. Common misconceptions about parenting practices, based on current research findings, are addressed in a sensitive and timely manner. The language used for scenarios, fact sheets, charts, and visuals included in each unit is modified and adapted for the age and maturity levels of the students.
Methodology
The Roots of Empathy program is delivered by an instructor specifically trained in the program, assisted by teachers in the participating school. This learning resource reflects current learning theories and adapts its materials to build opportunities for all children to experience success whether they are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learners. It engages learners by using a wide repertoire of teaching/learning strategies and a variety of learning experiences in which learners can respond in different ways. Within a safe and caring environment, students learn about topics such as human growth and development, neuroscience, temperament traits and attachment theory, and a variety of syndromes. Depending on the activity, students work as a class, independently, or in collaborative groupings. They are asked to solve problems, make predictions, gather data and report their findings, reach consensus, share creative solutions, and respect the opinion of others.
Assessment
While focusing on the affective domain, Roots of Empathy provides opportunities for observing students' understanding and for reinforcing skills in a number of curriculum areas. Specific assessment strategies are not included. The resource includes a number of evaluation and tracking forms to assist in monitoring the success of the program.
Format
The Roots of Empathy program is well organized within four large binders three are curriculum guides and the other is a trainer's manual for those implementing the program. The curriculum guide includes suggested approaches and reproducible handouts to use when working with the themes with different age groups K, Grades 1 to 3, Grades 4 to 6, and Grades 7 to 8. The trainer's manual has sections that provide the program's philosophy, background information based on current research about infant and child development and behaviour, and suggestions for integrating with curriculum. Program features and an audio cassette of songs and action rhymes are included. A short video provides an overview of the program.
Bias
In the Roots of Empathy program, welcoming diversity and celebrating the uniqueness of the individual are common threads in every theme. The selection of a baby's family, the multicultural literature used throughout, and the types of learning activities provided, all address inclusion issues. Babies and families chosen for the program come from a variety of family structures and are representative of a range of cultural, racial, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds. The walls of exclusion are broken down as the students move through the program, developing empathy for others through discussion and cross-curricular activities.
Review Recommendation
Roots of Empathy is recommended as a program for use with students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 to promote understanding of human development, diversity, and the uniqueness of individuals.
Contact Information
Donna Letchford
Director - Curriculum and Program Delivery
Roots of Empathy
215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 160
Toronto, ON M5T 2C7
416-204-7893
Fax: 416-944-9295
e-mail: dletchford@rootsofempathy.org
http://www.rootsofempathy.org
Read the publisher's description of this resource
Note: These learning resources are recommended by Curriculum Services Canada. However, such a recommendation is of the resource only and should not be construed as a general recommendation of the developer of such a resource or the developer's business or related activities. While CSC recommends a resource on pedagogical grounds, the end user is fully responsible for its use.