top of page

Learning List Blog
Sharing Our Experience to Help Educators Choose
and Publishers Improve


New NGSS Curriculum Review: McGraw Hill’s Inspire Science (K-8)
McGraw Hill’s Inspire Science is a comprehensive science program for grades K-8, focused on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The program is phenomena-driven and designed to support three-dimensional learning by focusing on inspiring curiosity, investigation, and problem-solving. The materials are available in print and digital formats. The digital materials are well-organized and easily accessible on the digital platform.


New Curriculum Review: Bluebonnet Math K-5 by TEA
Is your district looking for new elementary math materials to support the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Texas Education Agency’s (TEA's) Bluebonnet Math.
TEA's Bluebonnet Math is a comprehensive math curriculum for students in grades K-8 and Algebra I. Materials are available in downloadable PDF format, or in print. The program intends to provide teachers with the content knowledge and tools they need to “guide students


New Curriculum Review: 95% Phonics
Are you evaluating phonics programs to meet Texas House Bill 3 requirements? Learning List has reviewed the 95 Percent Group’s 95 Phonics Core Program, a K-5 phonics and word study curriculum.
95 Phonics Core Program is a supplemental reading program grounded in the Science of Reading. The program provides systematic and explicit whole-class, Tier 1 phonics instruction based on a strategic progression of skills. Learning List reviewers did not find evidence of three-cueing


New Curriculum Review: BCBS Biology
Explore Kendall Hunt's BSCS Biology for High School
Are you searching for a high-quality biology program? Kendall Hunt’s BSCS Biology: Understanding for Life is a comprehensive high school biology curriculum aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Learning List has reviewed the material's alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. This program focuses on enhancing students' problem-solving, critical thinking, and inquiry-based learning skills th


Curriculum Review: TCI's K-5 Social Studies Alive!
Learning List recently reviewed the quality and technology compatibility of Teachers' Curriculum Institute's (TCI's) Social Studies Alive! elementary program. We were not asked to review the material's alignment to any state social studies standards. Subscribing districts may request a review of the material to their state's standards.


Supplemental Math Product: Get More Math for TEKS
Get More Math is a supplemental online math program for grades 4-8, Algebra I and Geometry. This adaptive program provides sets of practice problems based on assignments made by the teacher, along with a cumulative review that provides spiraled practice of skills previously taught.


New Curriculum Review: Twig Science Next Gen by Imagine Learning
Is your district looking for science materials to support the NGSS? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Imagine Learning’s Twig Science.
Imagine Learning’s Twig Scienceis a comprehensive science program for grades K-8. The K-5 material is provided by grade level. The 6-8 material is provided in both integrated and discipline pathways (Earth and Space, Life, and Physical) and is not grade specific. Materials are available in print or digital format.


New Curriculum Review: Kiddom's OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e
OpenStax’s Kiddom Anatomy and Physiology (Kiddom Anatomy)is a comprehensive science program for high school Anatomy and Physiology. The material is available in digital format through the Kiddom platform or in print. The material intends to provide relevant instruction in Anatomy and Physiology while supporting students in their future careers.


Savvas Pearson's Forensic Science
Does your district offer a Forensic Science course? If so, check out our reviews of Pearson's Forensic Science.
Savvas Pearson’s Forensic Science (Pearson Forensic Science) is a comprehensive science program for high school Forensic Science. The program focuses on helping students understand the science and technology that is relevant to forensic science. The material also connects multiple areas of science to the field of forensic science. The material is available in pri


Identifying Which Materials the Selection Committee Will Review: 3 Powerful Strategies
In 5 Tips for Planning an Effective K-12 Curriculum Review and Adoption Process, we discussed the decisions you need to make when planning an instructional materials adoption process. For an adoption to be successful, the selection committee must have sufficient guidance and time to review materials effectively. With so many materials on the market, narrowing the list of materials for the selection committee to review is a critical next step in any adoption process. This blog


New Curriculum Review: Cengage Astronomy
Cengage’s Foundations of Astronomy (Cengage Astronomy)is a comprehensive science program for high school Astronomy. The program focuses on developing students’ understanding of astronomy through the scientific method. Learning List reviewed the version of the material submitted for state adoption in Texas under Proclamation 2024.
Cengage Astronomy organizes the eBook into six parts, each of which focuses on major concepts in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). C


5 Tips for Planning an Effective K-12 Curriculum Review and Adoption Process
Over the years, Learning List has assisted hundreds of districts in planning and running K-12 curriculum adoptions. As a result, we have observed many "what to do's" and "what not to do's." One of the critical "to-do's" is to plan the process. A well-planned, thorough process is far more likely to lead to a successful outcome.
Some important decision points to consider as you plan an K-12 curriculum adoption process include:
(1) Articulate the need to adopt a new K-12 cu


New Reviews of 3 High School Science Curricula: Savvas' Experience Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Savvas' Experience Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are comprehensive curricula for high school courses. Each focuses on providing immersive experiences to support students in doing science through inquiry, phenomena, labs, and real-world applications. Experience Chemistry provides immersive experiences to support students in doing science through inquiry, phenomena, labs, and real-world applications. The materials are available in print and digital format.
The program design


New Curriculum Review: Pearson's Anatomy & Physiology, & Disease by Savvas Learning
Looking for a science curriculum for Anatomy and Physiology?
Take a look at Savvas' Pearson’s Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease, a comprehensive curriculum for high school courses. The material comes in print and digital formats. The program focuses on helping students make a lasting connection to the content to help them succeed as healthcare professionals.
Pearson Anatomy organizes content in consistently structured chapters focused on body systems and other content stud


McGraw Hill's Texas Hole's Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology
McGraw Hill’s Texas Hole’s Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (Hole’s Anatomy and Physiology) is a comprehensive science curriculum for high school Anatomy and Physiology. This review is based on the version of the material submitted for state adoption under Texas Proclamation 2024. While some content may specifically address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the format and features of the Texas version is likely the same as the national version. Therefore, th


National Geographic/Cengage Learning's Forensic Science Fundamentals and Investigations
National Geographic/Cegage's Forensic Science Fundamentals and Investigations (National Geographic Forensic Science) is a comprehensive science curriculum for high school Forensic Science courses. The program introduces students to science and investigations behind the world of careers in forensic science. The materials are available in print and digital format. Digital components are accessible to students and teachers from National Geographic Learning/Cengage’s interactive


New Curriculum Reviews: National Geographic/Cengage Biology and Chemistry
National Geographic/Cengage’s Biology and World of Chemistry are comprehensive curricula for high school science courses. Learning List reviewed the version of each material submitted for state review under Proclamation 2024 in Texas. Biology focuses on enabling students to build fundamental knowledge of biology through phenomena-based lessons, while World of Chemistry focuses on enabling students to understand chemistry for themselves.


New Curriculum Reviews for Technology Applications: TechApps for Texas by Learning.com
TechApps for Texasis a comprehensive digital curriculum for technology applications by Learning.com. The program intends to help students become future-ready by providing lessons based on real-life applications of technology skills.
Learning List has reviewed grades K-8 of the version of the material submitted for state review under Proclamation 2024 in Texas. Although some content in the Texas version specifically addresses the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the str


5 Tips for Using Materials Strategically to Close Learning Gaps
Selecting materials to remediate students' learning gaps can be a daunting task. If you have access to multiple materials, and you are feeling overwhelmed by the choices, here are five tips to help you identify which of your current materials to use and how to use them effectively to address your students' learning gaps.


New High School Science Reviews: Kiddom's OpenStax Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
OpenStax powered by Kiddom provides comprehensive science programs for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The materials are available in digital format through the Kiddom platform or in print. The Biology material intends to support “biology courses for science majors” through an evolutionary lens while highlighting careers in biology. Chemistry intends to support students in learning the core concepts of chemistry and how those concepts apply to the world. Physics focuses on p
bottom of page