With clarity and humour the author addresses why pop culture is an irresistable lure to kids, by confronting the issues which both plague and challenge parents and educators today. The book examines questions such as: is Saturday morning TV as bad as it seems? Should I give my daughter a Barbie? and How is violence affecting kids?

A collection of eloquent essays, Tooning In critically examines and interprets the concept of 'popular culture.' Many interesting works have addressed this subject, but few have provided a critical perspective regarding the possibilities of popular culture as a tool for teaching and learning. White and Walker suggest that popular culture is a vital aspect of contemporary life and can be wielded as a tool for efficacy and empowerment, particularly among youth. The book addresses such important questions as: What is the role of popular culture in students' lives? What are the possibilities for popular culture in schooling and education? What are the differences between traditional and transformative approaches to popular culture? With essays specifically devoted to film, music, television, games, and other alternative popular culture texts, Tooning In invites readers to re-examine the fundamental aspects of popular culture as a societal force.

Edited by leading authorities, this key reference reflects the multidisciplinary nature of its subject. It is an essential resource for teaching, an invaluable companion to independent study, and a solid starting point for wider subject exploration.

A kid toddling around today has a whole bunch of interesting fictional friends—and every parent should know who they are, because they have a big impact on the way children see the world. Kid Culture provides all the introductions any mom and dad could need. Taking an irreverent yet insightful approach to the far-ranging influences on contemporary youngsters, it leads parents on a guided tour through the often overwhelming universe of kid culture. Start in the book stacks, click through TV and video, turn up the music, and go to the movies again and again. Parents will find the voyage enlightening, entertaining, and ultimately useful in helping both them and their children. Packaged to appeal to the gift market, this is a true survival manual for every parent (and grandparent) who wants in on what’s going on.

The first volume to examine young girls' culture in the U.S. in the 20th century. Essays address such topics as board games and the socialization of adolescent girls, dolls and political ideologies, female juvenile delinquency, and more, to demonstrate how cultural discourses shape both the young and teenage girl in America. 9 illustrations.

A treasure trove of tools and techniques to take your children’s ministry to the next level...and impact kids' lives like never before. These 100 sure-fire "how-tos" were developed by children’s ministry leaders who’ve spent years fine-tuning the strategies that bring real success. You'll discover how to: • Equip volunteers to love serving and stay for the long haul • Develop a dynamic ministry area that kids love and bring their friends to • Rev up your vision and get your team excited • And much, much more!

The entirely revised third edition of Research with Children forms a unique resource book on the methodology of childhood research with a core emphasis on theory driven practices. As in the previous two editions, this edition presents particular standpoints in the field, whilst also reflecting the latest developments in the now well-established interdisciplinary field of childhood studies. A rich collection of contributions from leading researchers across a range of disciplinary backgrounds, research practices and theoretical perspectives discuss central questions of epistemology and methodology, demonstrating the links between theory and practice. This edition includes exciting new chapters on: Internet-based research and contemporary technology, Family based research, Children as researchers, Participatory research in the global context, New directions for childhood research. Both theoretical and practical questions are set out in a well-argued fashion that enables easier navigation through the various complexities of the epistemological and methodological questions arising in contemporary research practices with children. As such, this text will appeal to both the newcomer to childhood studies and to experienced researchers in the field. With fully updated chapters, new material and a revised, clearer structure, this new edition will be a valuable resource for researchers working with children.

This Handbook presents an overview and analysis of the international `state-of-the-field' of mathematics education at the end of the 20th century. The more than 150 authors, editors and chapter reviewers involved in its production come from a range of countries and cultures. They have created a book of 36 original chapters in four sections, surveying the variety of practices, and the range of disciplinary interconnections, which characterise the field today, and providing perspectives on the study of mathematics education for the 21st century. It is first and foremost a reference work, and will appeal to anyone seeking up-to-date knowledge about the main developments in mathematics education. These will include teachers, student teachers and student researchers starting out on a serious study of the subject, as well as experienced researchers, teacher educators, educational policy-makers and curriculum developers who need to be aware of the latest areas of knowledge development.

California is the most visited state in the United States, Disneyland is the United States' second most visited theme park, and California's national parks attract almost 30 million visitors a year. Los Angeles—as the fourth largest destination for domestic travel in the U.S. and the second-ranked destination for overseas visitors, behind only New York—welcomed 25 million visitors in 2008. San Francisco is ranked in the top 10 most visited US cities, with over 15 million visitors per year. Neighboring Napa County greeted 4 million visitors in 2008, and Sonoma Valley hosted 7 million visitors.

Caught in the Crossfire reveals how the United States has been gradually changing from a society that celebrates childhood into one that is hostile to and afraid of its own children. Today kids are often seen as a threat to our social and moral values. In schools, some behavior is criminalized, and growing numbers of kids find themselves in penal and psychiatric confinement. This breakdown is often too readily attributed to bad parenting, the crisis of the family, or the greed of capitalism. Grossberg offers a new and original understanding of the changes transforming contemporary America, and of the choices Americans face about their future. He documents the relations between economic ideologies and economic realities and explores what is going on in the "culture wars" as well as on the Internet and other new media. Caught in the Crossfire argues that all of these changes and tn struggles, including those involving the state of kids, only make sense as integral parts of a larger transformation to define America's uniqueness and to develop its own sense of modern culture. Part of the Cultural Politics and the Promise of Democracy Series.