INTRODUCTION
This compilation is meant to assist classroom teachers in developing or refining the Appalachian content in their lesson plans. It has been digitized to make the materials easily accessible for time-pressed teachers -- clicking on the hotlinks will take users directly to those materials or show how they can be obtained. Although I have tried to be reasonably comprehensive in compiling the directory, users should view it as a springboard for delving into the many other Appalachian teaching resources available on the Web and elsewhere.
The directory was also designed with teachers working on advanced degrees in mind. To this end, it serves as as an entry point for research into the history of teaching Appalachian topics. Thus citations for bibliographies are included, along with D.Ed. dissertations, M.A. theses, journal articles, teaching practica, library and archival collections, and some relatively early efforts to introduce young learners and their teachers to the Appalachian region and its people.
A few caveats are in order. First, being included in the directory is not an assurance of quality. As users become more acquainted with the field of Appalachian Studies, they will quickly be able to assess for themselves which materials are out of date, which are uninformed to the point of being stereotypical, and which are accurate in their interpretation and appropriate for classroom use.
Second, the categories used in the directory are not exclusive. Categories frequently overlap because many different subjects are often treated by single entries. For instance, some entries in the Literature, Language, and Folklore category can be used to teach about religion, families, work, history, crafts, and ethnic groups in Appalachia. Others focus on Appalachian women and their roles in protests, union organizing, education, coal mining, and health care. Although the categories are few, the resources they contain cover a wide range of Appalachian topics.
Finally, all such lists are a work in progress. If you would like to share your thoughts and experiences using this list, including new citations or websites you would recommend, please feel free to contact me at solotso@aol.com.
-Phillip J. Obermiller
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AUDIO/VISUAL RESOURCES
Appalshop is nationally-recognized source of Appalachian documentary films and regional music. See http://www.appalshop.org/
The Digital Library of Appalachia, maintained by the Appalachian College Association, provides a rich source of photographs and other graphic images from the Appalachian region. See http://www.aca-dla.org/
The Index to Bibliographies of West Virginia and Appalachian Films maintained by Ferrum College within its Applit page lists many A/V materials (see also Literature and Language section below). See http://www.ferrum.edu/AppLit/Bibs/WVFilmIndex.htm
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SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
The Appalachian Studies Association (based at Marshall University) provides information on its annual conference where many teaching materials are available for purchase; also available are on-line syllabi for college level Appalachian Studies courses, and a directory of Appalachian Centers that can provide speakers or advice on course development. See http://www.appalachianstudies.org/
Berea College’s Southern Appalachian Archives host collections of photos, oral histories, ballads and folk music, and settlement school materials. See http://www.berea.edu/hutchinslibrary/specialcollections/saarchives.asp Social studies teachers will be especially interested in the online exhibition at http://www.berea.edu/hutchinslibrary/specialcollections/exhibit/exhibitsaa101intro.asp
Fairmont State University publishes Hillchild which contains “stories, poetry, drawing, folklore, cartoons, and more;” In the Mountain State, a teacher’s guide for grades 4-8; and related materials about West Virginia. See http://www.fairmontstate.edu/WVFolkLife/Publications.asp
For a literary map of West Virginia authors see http://www.fairmontstate.edu/wvfolklife/literarymap/index.shtml
James Mason University provides a general introduction to Appalachia and its literature for youth and young adults on its Appalachian Resources page. See http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/mulapach.htm
Morehead State University’s Center for Virtual Appalachia provides links to maps, art, music, literature, religion, and crafts that can be adapted for classroom use. See http://cva.morehead-st.edu/
Ohio University at Zanesville’s Appalachian Treasures Gateway provides links to sites dealing with Appalachian history, culture, physical and social environments, images, and stereotypes. See http://www.zanesville.ohiou.edu/library/appalachia/
Radford University’s Appalachian Regional Studies Center provides a listing of teaching resources at http://www.radford.edu/~arsc/resources.html See especially its Folklife Collection at http://www.radford.edu/~arsc/folklife_AtoF.htm Also of interest are the activities of the Radford Appalachian Teachers’ Network. Subscribe to the ATN newsletter, Stitches, at http://www.radford.edu/~arsc/atn.htm
The University of North Carolina’s website, LearnNC, has a variety of Appalachian- related teaching resources for regional history, dialect, Native Americans in the region, quilting, and storytelling. See http://www.learnnc.org/
West Virginia University’s Appalachian Studies Bibliography is one of the oldest and most extensive compilations of information about Appalachia available. See http://www.libraries.wvu.edu/appalachian/bibliography.htm
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GENERAL
Appalachia: A Thematic Unit for Miami County Teachers on Appalachian Culture. 1995. Compiled by John Virgint. Mimeo by the Miami County Educational Service Center. The Center can be contacted at http://www.miami.k12.oh.us
Appalachian Culture: A Guide for Students and Teachers.1976. Peggy Calestro and Ann Hill. Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Research Foundation. The Foundation can be contacted at http://www.rf.ohio-state.edu/welcome.cfm
Appalachian Idea Book. 1989. Tina Constanzo, Felicia Napier, et al. “A collection of ideas and activities designed to help teachers develop awareness of Appalachian history and culture among their students.” Available for a fee from the Urban Appalachian Council. See http://uacvoice.org/resources.html
Appalachian Readings and Activities Handbook. 1981. Emma Jo Dotson. M. E. practicum, Ashland, OH: Ashland College. See http://library.ashland.edu/search/adotson/adotson/1%2C4%2C4%2CB/frameset& FF=adotson+emma+jo&1%2C1%2C
Appalachian Resources for Teachers: A List with Annotations. 1981. Pat Blasi, Alex Brown, et al. Includes books, periodicals, films, local grass-roots organizations, and music festivals compiled by students in the University of Cincinnati's College of Community Services. Contact the Urban Appalachian Council's Frank Foster Library at www.UACVoice.org
An Appalachian Curriculum: A Fourth Grade Curriculum Guide. 1995. Mary Chandler, Lisa Gibson, et al. “A guide written by teachers for teachers [for use] by any class or group who wishes to learn more about the resources of the Southern Appalachian region.” Print copies available for a fee through http://www.radford.edu/~arsc/resources.html
The Countdown to the Millennium project combines oral history with a focus on Appalachian Ohio. For a lesson plan, see http://www.tcomschool.ohiou.edu/cdtm/Lessons.htm
Discover Appalachia is an interactive map maintained by the National Geographic Society. Resources on the region’s history, culture, ecology, and festivals can be accessed by clicking on icons arranged by state. See http://www.nationalgeographic.com/appalachia/map.html
Foxfire is an approach to teaching and learning, as well as a source of Appalachian resource materials. See http://www.foxfire.org/index.html
Increasing Appalachian Awareness with Classroom Projects. 2000. Selena Hillenberg and Corrina Harmon. Classroom materials for helping Appalachian students discover their heritage. Print copies available for a fee through http://www.radford.edu/~arsc/resources.html
Lesson Plan on the Appalachians – People, Culture, Lifestyle. 1999. Jody Honaker. (Fourth grade social studies.) See http://www.adprima.com/social5.htm
Nestled in the Misty Mountains: An Appalachian Studies Unit for the Elementary Classroom. 1995. Carol E. Hancock. A 55-page kit of ideas and activities that includes topics such as food, music, and crafts. Print copies available for a fee through http://www.radford.edu/~arsc/resources.html
Ohio Appalachia Activity Book: Things to Learn, See, and Do. 2005. Rebecca Baer and Deanna Tribe. Piketon, OH:OSU Extension Center. The Center can be contacted at http://southcenters.osu.edu/
Teaching Appalachia: Image and Reality of Appalachian Culture provides 15 lesson plans by topic and by grade level. [This is a broken link and requires two steps to gain access.] Go to http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859- 1&q=teaching+Tennessee+appalachian&btnG=Google+Search and click on “Teaching Tennessee History.”
A Unit of Study on Appalachian History, Life, and Migration (Grades 5-8). 1975. Kathleen Sowders. Mimeo by the Urban Appalachian Council, Cincinnati, OH. Contact the Council at http://www.uacvoice.org/
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ECONOMICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclaimation website has a strong educational component, including links to a “coal classroom,” academic resources for teachers, an environmental education center, and a “kids page” among others. See http://www.orangewaternetwork.org/modules.php?name=Web_Links&l_op=view link&cid=18 Be sure to check out the 14 teaching modules at http://www.orangewaternetwork.org/index.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&p id=4
David Cooper has developed a 15-minute DVD and a teacher’s guide focusing
on “the impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining on the communities and environment of Appalachia.” These materials can be obtained at no charge by sending a request to davecooper928@yahoo.com
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LITERATURE, LANGUAGE, AND FOLKLORE
Applit, Ferrum College’s website, provides “Resources for Readers and Teachers of Appalachian Literature for Children and Young Adults” including lesson plans and study guides. See http://www.ferrum.edu/applit/
Appalachian Literature, Appalachian Culture: Literature-Based, Cross-Curricular Activities for Middle and High School Classrooms. 2000. Written by Judy Sizemore and edited by Ginny Eager. Published by Forward in the Fifth, and available for a fee through the Jesse Stuart Foundation at http://www.jsfbooks.com/bookdetails.asp?ProductID=345
Appalachian Studies in Grades 6-12: Language Arts and English Curricula in Central Appalachia. 1994. Linda J. Wilson. D.Ed. dissertation, Blacksburg, VA:Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. See http://addison.vt.edu/search/awilson%2C+Linda/awilson+linda/1%2C6%2C6%2 CB/frameset&FF=awilson+linda+j&1%2C1%2C
Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site describes Appalachian picture books, novels , and folktales. See http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/appalachiachart.html For her article on Appalachia in Teaching K-8 Magazine, see http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/appalachia.html
George Ella Lyon is a celebrated author of Appalachian-themed children’s books. See http://athena.english.vt.edu/~appalach/writersG/lyon.html
Cynthia Rylant is an award-winning author of children’s books that have an Appalachian focus. See http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/rylant.htm
Mountainlit is a website with a West Virginia emphasis that is helpful for teachers and librarians. Provides reviews, essays, and a section on authors of children’s literature. See http://www.mountainlit.com/
The Southern Appalachian English website offers transcripts and corresponding
audio samples of traditional anecdotes. “Many terms in the transcripts are linked to dictionary entries so that browsers can find more detail on them, including further quotations, etymologies, and sometimes brief word histories.” See http://www.cas.sc.edu/engl/dictionary/
“Using Appalachian Literacies as a Basis for Literacy Learning at School: A Study of a Teacher-Authored Project.” 2001. Rosary Lalik and LaNette Dellinger. (Describes the use of storytelling, theater, and music to make a curriculum more relevant to students.) Journal of Appalachian Studies, volume 7, number 1. Full text available by accessing the EBSCO Academic Search Complete database from your local library, or available for a fee from the Appalachian Studies Asociation through http://www.appalachianstudies.org/contact/
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MUSIC
Appalachian Folk Music: A Lesson Plan on Appalachian Folk Music for Grades 4 & 5. N.D. Carmen Billings. See
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/MusicSSAppalachianFolkMusicAndCulture45. htm
Appalachian Riddle Song. (Lesson plan for Grades 2-8). See http://www.teachervision.fen.com/music-styles/lesson-plan/8299.html
Mountain Music Study Guide. N.D. Jeff Robins. Includes descriptions of instruments and lyrics to songs. See http://jeffrobbins.com/study.html Students can also make and play a simple, one-string guitar as a class project. See http://jeffrobbins.com/onestring.html
Music of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. 2003. Mike Seeger. Includes background information on mountain music, bibliography, and suggested lesson plans. See http://mikeseeger.info/html/1_sgcov.html
Voices from the Mountains. 1996. Guy and Candie Carawan. 256 pages. University of Georgia Press. Contains “words and music to more than fifty ballads and songs, laments and satires, hymns and protests.” See http://www.ugapress.uga.edu/FMPro?-DB=Testdbwebsite.fp5&- Lay=Layout_1&-Format=books_details.html&-Token.1=Anthropology&- Token.2=Folklore&-Token.3=&-Token.4=&-RecID=41597&-Find
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REFERENCE BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES
A Handbook to Appalachia: An Introduction to the Region. 2006. Grace Toney Edwards, JoAnn Aust Asbury, and Ricky L. Cox, eds. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press. See http://utpress.org/a/searchdetails.php?jobno=T01000
Appalachia: Social Context Past and Present. Fifth Edition. 2007. Phillip J. Obermiller and Michael E. Maloney, eds. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing. See http://www.kendallhunt.com/index.cfm?PID=219&AUT=&ISB=&DIS=0&GRA =0&DES=&MTC=exact&BOOL=AND&KEY=APPALACHIA&PPS=25&SRT =rank&CMD=detail&SRH=simple&PRD=6742
The Appalachians: America’s First and Last Frontier. 2004. Mari-Lynn Evans, Robert Santelli, and Holly George-Warren, eds. New York:Random House. See http://www.amazon.com/Appalachians-Americas-First-Last- Frontier/dp/1400061865
Confronting Appalachian Stereotypes: Back Talk from an American Region. 1999. Dwight Billings, Gurney Norman, and Katherine Ledford, eds. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky. See http://www.kentuckypress.com/viewbook.cfm?Category_ID=1&Group=4&ID=1 07
Encyclopedia of Appalachia. 2006. Jean Haskell and Rudy Abramson, eds. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press. See http://cass.etsu.edu/encyclo/index.htm
High Mountains Rising: Appalachia in Time and Place. 2004. Richard Straw and Tyler Blethen, eds., Champaign, IL:University of Illinois Press. See http://www.press.uillinois.edu/s04/straw.html
Revised 12/07
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