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Do Your Instructional Materials Support Critical Thinking?

May 4, 2023March 8, 2021

Effective critical thinking involves asking questions, problem-solving, using reasoning and evidence to reach conclusions, and approaching situations with an open mind. Helping students become critical thinkers is a goal of many school districts, but ultimately, it is up to the teacher to create a learning environment conducive to developing students’ critical thinking skills. The instructional materials used can either greatly aid or hinder the teacher’s efforts in fostering critical thinking.

Based on our experience reviewing thousands of instructional materials, this blog offers five considerations to help educators evaluate the degree to which an instructional material supports the development of critical thinking skills.

Do the materials you are using for remote instruction support a high-quality learning experience for your students?

July 21, 2022February 23, 2021

When implementing an instructional material during in-person instruction, teachers can adjust instruction, add instructional strategies, and differentiate instruction for their students. During remote instruction, however, teachers may not have as many opportunities to adjust instruction to meet their students’ needs. Therefore, the quality of instructional materials used for remote instruction is more important than ever.

Learning List has reviewed thousands of instructional materials, and we consider many factors in our qualitative reviews. In previous blogs, we have written about considerations for selecting materials to support continuous learning and things to look for if selecting online materials. This blog takes a deeper look at assessing the quality of instructional materials used for remote instruction.

Assessing the Assessments In a K-12 Material

March 20, 2023February 16, 2021

Having facilitated many districts’ adoption processes and listened to educators articulate what they are looking for in instructional materials, we have observed that assessments are often under assessed during an adoption/selection process. Assessments are a critical component of the instructional cycle. Therefore, as part of Learning List’s qualitative, Editorial Review of each instructional material, we evaluate the material’s assessments. Based on our review of thousands of instructional materials, we offer the following four key considerations to help you determine whether the assessments embedded in an instructional material will meet your needs.

New Product Review: Edmentum’s Texas English 6-8

August 30, 2022January 1, 2021

Does your district need instructional materials to support middle school students who have selected home learning? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Edmentum’s Texas English 6-8.

Edmentum’s Texas English 6-8 provides a fully digital, comprehensive program for middle school English Language Arts. The material provides a variety of activities to support students’ development of reading and writing skills. The goal of the program is to provide rigorous, relevant instruction through interactive, media-rich content.

New Product Review: Edmentum’s Texas English II

August 30, 2022December 21, 2020

Is your district looking for materials to support students in credit recovery? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Edmentum’s Texas English II.

Edmentum’s Texas English II is a fully digital, comprehensive program for English II. The material provides a variety of activities to support students’ development of reading and writing skills. The goal of the program is to provide rigorous, relevant instruction through interactive, media-rich content.

Will Students See Themselves in My Materials?:

July 21, 2022December 14, 2020

8 Features of “Culturally Responsive” Materials

As schools are tackling all of the demands of educating students during Covid-19, teachers continue to focus, and re-focus, on building relationships with students and providing supportive environments. Part of providing a safe, supportive learning environment is providing a culturally responsive classroom. “Culturally Responsive” is a term frequently heard in educational circles today. It goes beyond building relationships to ensuring academic growth for all students. While culturally responsive teaching is a complex topic, there is one piece of it that does not have to be challenging. Consider how you would answer this question: “Do students see themselves in the instructional materials I am using?” In formulating your answer, think about the following factors:

New Product: The Math Learning Center’s Bridges in Mathematics for Prekindergarten

August 11, 2022November 18, 2020

Is your district looking for a math-focused, developmentally appropriate program? Take a look at Learning List’s review of The Math Learning Center’s Bridges in Mathematics.

The Math Learning Center’s Bridges in Mathematics for Pre-K is play-based and provides a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for prekindergarten students. The material is sequenced according to developmental progressions of mathematics concepts and skills and is organized in nine units. The program addresses standard areas of math instruction, including numbers, operations, geometry, patterning, measurement, and data analysis.

New Product Review: Edmentum’s Texas Algebra II

August 30, 2022November 15, 2020

Is your district looking for materials to support students working virtually? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Edmentum’s Texas Algebra II.

Edmentum’s Texas Algebra II is a fully digital, comprehensive program. The material provides a variety of activities to support students’ development of skills required for Algebra II. The goal of the program is to provide rigorous, relevant curriculum through interactive, media-rich content.

New Product: TPS’s Prekindergarten Live and Learn and STEAM Themes

August 14, 2022November 12, 2020

Have you thought about using the arts to teach prekindergarten? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of TPS’s Prekindergarten programs.

TPS offers two different comprehensive programs for prekindergarten, STEAM Themes and Live and Learn. The materials are available in print and digital forms, in a variety of configurations. Live and Learn focuses on four principles: every child is unique, positive relationships, enabling environments, and children learn and develop differently. STEAM Themes focuses on “conceptual learning, basic skills, meaningful experiences, and thinking, reasoning, and communicating.”

New Products: Edgenuity’s United States Government, Economics, and World History Studies

August 14, 2022November 8, 2020

Is your district looking for additional courses for online instruction? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Edgenuity’s United States Government, Economics, and World History Studies.

Edgenuity’s United States Government, Economics, and World History Studies are comprehensive, online courses that support instruction in blended learning and self-paced environments. Video-based lessons focus on developing students’ understanding of social studies topics, such as the Cradle of Civilization and the importance of Constitutional rights.

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