Introduction to Resources to Build On

Resources to Build On, the Foundation’s online database that lists books, videos and other publications, is a searchable database. Users can search for what they need by grade level, title, subject, author, or key word. Click here to begin exploring the database.

«Click to enter

Please notify the webmaster, (434) 977-7550 x365, if you find the database unavailable, or for any other related issues. 

Database is not working? You may find the RTBO Core Collection List (PDF) useful. 

Planning purchases for your school? Here is a spreadsheet of the Core Collection. Please right-click on the link and choose "save target as…". It is in tab-delineated text format, and may be imported into any spreadsheet program. Note: the PDF and spreadsheet do not contain as many Core Collection items as the database itself. 

The database has been greatly expanded, to over 7,000 items. It now includes all the resources in the Day-by-Day Planner and Teacher Handbook as well as resources recommended by schools.

In an effort to provide a list of independent products and publications that relate to topics in the Core Knowledge Sequence, our resource coordinator screens a wide variety of publications to find items that may be useful to Core Knowledge teachers, librarians, parents, and students. Although a listing in the database does not make a title an “official” Core Knowledge book, these references can be helpful in planning lessons, building a school library, or helping children at home. We now list more than 1,000 books and plan to add new items regularly.

How to Use Resources to Build On:

Each resource listing includes the following information: grade level and subject from the Core Knowledge Sequence, book title with publishing information, recommendation category, a brief annotation, and a reference to character education topics.

If your school has a limited budget for resources, you may wish to refer to the recommendation category. “Core Collection,” a term used in Books to Build On, denotes selections that can be very helpful to build Core Knowledge programs. A Core Collection resource can be used in various grade levels and may include many of the topics within the curriculum. A “Recommended” resource indicates that, while the resource is excellent, it isn’t essential for new Core Knowledge program; however, if you have funds left over after ordering the Core Collection books, you may want to consider the recommended titles. If there is no designated recommendation category, the book might still be a useful book for Core Knowledge schools, is worth considering for your program.

If you have any questions regarding resources, please contact us.

Last updated: Fri, March 14 2008