|
________________
CM . . . .
Volume VII Number 13 . . . . March 2, 2001
Don White (Director). George Johnson (Producer).
Grades 2 - 6 / Ages 7 - 11.
Guaranteed to fascinate their audiences, these brief, wordless videos, averaging just over 4
minutes in length, grab and sustain viewers' attention and offer answers to often-asked questions.
Each video describes, via close-up photography, the process of making a commonly used or eaten
object. Due to their brevity, it would be beneficial to replay the videos several times to ensure that
all of the steps in the featured process are clearly understood (if, in fact, that is the purpose for
viewing). The inside of each video case contains a handy user's guide with a fairly detailed
description of the process, related vocabulary and some suggested activities for the elementary
classroom. These cross-curricular activities encourage creativity and spark further research.
Descriptive writing (language arts), measurement (math) and understanding the difference
between primary and secondary industries (social studies) are just a few of the activities
highlighted, but the creative teacher will find a dozen more ways to enrich and extend students'
learning. After examining the intricate and specialized machinery in these most interesting "short
snapper" videos, the big question among viewers is sure to be: "How do people invent all
this stuff?"
The rope-making process always starts with the thinnest of fibres, no matter how large the
finished product. Thickness, pattern and length all depend on the purpose for which the rope is
intended. Several types of machines are shown, each of them employing a different method of
braiding.
The process for making potato chips is fairly straightforward. Potatoes are washed, sorted by size,
sliced, then dumped into a huge vat of hot oil for frying. From the vat, the chips are sent through
a drying machine, then through salting drums or to a spice dispenser for additional flavouring.
Next, a conveyor belt transports the chips to a weighing and bagging machine, and, finally, the
sealed bags of chips are packed in large boxes for distribution to retail outlets.
How Do They Knit a Chain-Link Fence shows the coating of metal coils with hot liquid vinyl
and the formation of a winding pattern which is then woven or "knit" to make lengths of fencing.
The video featuring chocolate-making covers two different processes: moulding (chocolate is
poured into moulds, the shells are cooled and filled with liquid centers, then more chocolate is
added to create the confection bottom), and enrobing (coating an already firm center with
chocolate). Almost all of the work is done by machines, but a few of the finishing touches, such as
delicate swirls, can be done by hand.
Sure to inspire inventiveness!
Highly Recommended.
Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird's Hill School in East St. Paul, MB.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
Published by
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - March 2, 2001.
AUTHORS |
TITLES |
MEDIA REVIEWS |
PROFILES |
BACK ISSUES |
SEARCH |
ORDER |
CMARCHIVE |
HOME
|
