Ready to use self-esteem and conflict-solving activities for grades 4-8
Beth Teolis, 1996
Published by The Centre for Applied Research in Education, West Nyack, NY.

The dedication of this book reads thus:

This is a book of 'tried and true' activities designed for classroom use and presented in the format of reproducible activity sheets. The author writes from her experience as an American educator and many of the activity sheets have a distinctly American flavour in the settings, the language and the cultural background.

It would be a pity if teachers rejected the book because of this.

Readers are encouraged to make their own adaptations and, if teachers agree with the clearly expressed definition of self-esteem, and at the beginning of each section, the Rationale, Goals, and Intended Outcome Statements for Students, then they will find much in this book to support their own important objectives.

The whole book is permeated with an underlying wisdom. It focusses on the encouragement of positive qualities in teachers themselves as well as in their students.

There are nine sections. The first addresses Teacher Empowerment. Sections 2 to 6 focus on the components of self-esteem: security, positive identity, friendship building, goal setting, and competence. Section 7 suggests 28 activities designed to help students to develop conflict solving skills. Section 8 is titled 'Behaviour that's driving you up the wall', and offers practical suggestions. Section 9 offers masters for ready-to-use handouts of 'grams', invitations, etc.

Australian teachers may find that many of the activities need rewriting; for, while the content is suitable, the language and the artwork is deliberately chosen to give the book a 'fun, up-to-date 90s look' and it is definitely an American look.

With sensitive selectivity and some adaptations, this book will be a welcome resource for many teachers. It is marketed in Australia by Prentice Hall. ISBN is 0-87628-611-2.

Reviewed by Joan Lane.