Learning List Blog

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

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

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

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

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 students need, such as b

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/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

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.

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

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. 

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

Studies Weekly’s Texas Science (Studies Weekly) is a core science program for grades K-5. The program focuses on engaging students in science using reading, writing, and drawing. The materials are available in print and digital format. The digital format includes printable PDF documents, accessed through the Studies Weekly platform. Science Weekly organizes learning in units. Units consist of three primary sections: the phenomenon or problem, inquiry activities, and addition

National Geographic/Cengage’s Body Structures and Functions (National Geographic Anatomy)is a comprehensive science program for high school Anatomy and Physiology. The program focuses on introducing students to the organization, structures, and functions of the body to help them understand how body systems work. The materials are available in print and digital format. Digital components are accessible to students and teachers from National Geographic Learning/Cengage’s intera

Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for Texas (Discovery Texas)is a comprehensive science curriculum for grades K-8. The material focuses on helping students act as scientists and engineers through relevant phenomena, hands-on labs, and interactive activities. The materials are available in print and digital formats. Discovery Texas organizes learning around phenomena and recurring themes and concepts present in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Each grade

Great Minds' PhD Science Texas (PhD Science Texas)is a comprehensive science curriculum for grades K-5. The material focuses on students making sense of and explaining scientific phenomena. The goal of the program is for students to “engage in learning that builds their coherent understanding of scientific knowledge.” As of September 2023, the materials are available in print only. PhD Science Texas organizes learning in three modules per grade level, based on topics typic

Savvas' Texas Experience Science is a comprehensive science curriculum for grades K-8, which focuses on bringing science concepts to life through collaborative, hands-on activities. The material is available in English and in Spanish and in print and digital formats. Experience Science organizes learning around seven topics in each grade level. Each topic includes a launch, which introduces the topic, an anchoring phenomenon, and multiple "Experiences" (lessons).

Looking for an activity-based science curriculum? Don’t miss our reviews of HMH’s Into Science. Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Science(Into Science) is a comprehensive science program for grades K-8. The program focuses on providing student-centered activities intended to “bring out every student’s inner scientist.” Learning List has reviewed the version of the material submitted for state adoption under Texas Proclamation 2024. While the Texas version includes content spe

As the materials adoption season begins, curriculum reviews can save you hours of work. If you are looking at science materials, learn about a science curriculum we have reviewed for middle school. OpenSciEd Science powered by Kiddom is a comprehensive science program for grades 6-8 and high school Biology. This review is based on the version of the material submitted for state adoption under Texas Proclamation 2024. While the publisher may have developed some content in thi

McGraw Hill’s Texas Science is a comprehensive science program for grades K-12. The materials are available in English and Spanish in grades K-6 and some content is translated from English to Spanish within the English version of the material for middle and high school. The materials are available in print and digital format and are accessible to students and teachers from McGraw-Hill’s interactive digital platform. Texas Science is designed around the 5E instructional model

Looking for a new comprehensive science curriculum for grade K-12?Consider Accelerate Learning’s STEMscopes Texas (STEMscopes).  STEMscopes supports student learning with phenomena, hands-on experiences, and virtual simulations. The curriculum uses the 5E instructional model, with intervention and acceleration added, to support inquiry-based instruction. Scopes (lessons) are based on TEKS-aligned topicsand span multiple days of instruction. Each Scope seamlessly integrates