Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

New Product: National Geographic/Cengage Learning’s Big Ideas Integrated Math for CCSS

September 6, 2022September 2, 2019

Is your district in need of a new material for integrated high school math courses? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning’s Big Ideas Integrated Math.

Big Ideas Integrated Math is a comprehensive high school math program, available in print and digital formats. The design of the material is consistent with the Common Core’s Integrated Pathways and is provided in three levels. Each of the three courses integrates instruction in algebra, geometry, probability, and statistics at increasingly complex levels. Big Ideas Integrated Mathorganizes instruction around major topics in mathematics, such as solving linear equations or parallel and perpendicular lines.

New Product: Savvas’s myPerspectives for CCSS & CA CCSS

September 6, 2022June 19, 2019

Do your English teachers need instructional materials at a variety of reading levels? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Savvas’s myPerspectives.

Savvas’s myPerspectives is an English language arts program for grades 6 through 12. This review is specific to grades 9 through 12. The material focuses on making learning relevant for students and on developing skills to support college and career readiness. Most lessons focus on text analysis and writing to learn and demonstrate learning.

New Product: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Literature

September 6, 2022May 22, 2019

Are your teachers ready for new ELA materials for middle school? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Literature.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Literature is a comprehensive literacy program that supports English language arts instruction for grades 6 through 8. Content is available in print and digital formats. Instruction develops students’ reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking skills with learning activities that provide numerous opportunities and structures for effective group and partner work.

New Product: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Reading for CCSS

August 30, 2022April 28, 2019

Is your district looking for a reading product that supports balanced literacy with more traditional resources for teachers and students? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Reading.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Reading is a comprehensive literacy program that supports English language arts and reading instruction in kindergarten through 6^th grade. Content is available in print and digital formats. Instruction develops students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills using authentic texts from a variety of genres.

New Product Reviews: Edmentum Study Island Middle School and High School

September 6, 2022January 30, 2019

Edmentum’s Study Island is a supplemental online resource that prepares students in grades K-12 for standardized tests. Across courses and grades, Study Island supports teacher-guided instruction and independent study. Instruction emphasizes preparation for standardized tests, including Texas’ STAAR exams and CCSS exams (e.g., PARCC).

Learning List recently reviewed mathematics materials for grades 7 and 8 and the high school Algebra I. Learning List’s reviews address the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS-M) for and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Learning List also reviewed a TEKS course for high school U.S. History.

Study Island begins instruction for each grade and course with a diagnostic test and/or pre-test that assesses students’ existing knowledge. Subsequent content is presented in a set of online lessons and practice activities formatted to reflect standardized tests. Some lessons include printable worksheets, interactive flashcards, and/or video-based content. Instruction ends with a post-test to be completed when students have finished all lessons. [Read more…]

New Product Review: Matific Math Learning Platform

August 16, 2022January 16, 2019

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Learning List has reviewed Matific Math Learning Platform, which is a supplemental online product that supports mathematics instruction in grades K-6. Content addresses a variety of standards, including the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the Common Core State Standards. Instruction is presented in adaptive “episodes” (i.e., learning games) that help students discover mathematics concepts independently.

At each grade level, Matific presents instruction in interactive games and simulations. Each activity is linked to a grade and concept (e.g., grade 3, division), as well as a variety of learning standards. Teachers may select the relevant standards (e.g., TEKS) using a drop-down menu. Most activities include guidance for students in how to complete learning tasks. When guidance is text-based, an audio reader is provided. [Read more…]

New Product Review: Savvas’s enVisionmath2.0 Common Core

September 6, 2022May 20, 2018

Savvas’s enVisionmath2.0 Common Core is a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for grades K-8 that includes print and eBook resources with additional online content. Students learn through hands-on activities that focus on understanding, fluency, and flexibility with math concepts while developing problem-solving skills. Learning List recently reviewed eBook and online resources for grades K-5. [Read more…]

New Curriculum Review: American Reading Company (ARC) Core

September 6, 2022May 10, 2018

American Reading Company’s (ARC) Core is a comprehensive, project-based reading, writing, and research program for students in grades K-12. Available in print and online formats, resourcesaddress the instructional shifts of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) (e.g., “Building knowledge through content-rich nonfiction”). Instruction is organized in a workshop structure that provides opportunities for whole class, small group, and one-on-one instruction. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grades K-5. [Read more…]

How Learning List Helps Districts Comply with ESSA’s “Evidence Based” Requirement

August 12, 2022May 6, 2018

A recent report from Curriculum Associates discusses the Every Student Succeeds Act’s (ESSA) requirement that federal education funds be used for evidence-based programs, interventions, and products. “ESSA and Evidence Claims: A Practical Guide to Understanding What ‘Evidence-Based’ Really Means” provides a primer for educators in understanding the four levels of evidence recognized by ESSA (e.g., moderate evidence), the type of study that exemplifies each level (e.g., quasi-experimental), and the five questions educators should ask when evaluating research-based evidence (e.g., “When was the study conducted?”).

One of five questions for evaluating evidence, in particular, caught Learning List’s attention: “Was the study based on current content and standards?”

ESSA assumes that the evidence base for a product, program, or service is based on the state’s current standards, but it is possible that the research is grounded in prior state standards or another state’s standards, altogether. It is the district’s responsibility to vet information to ensure products purchased with federal funds and the evidence supporting the products’ effectiveness are based on the appropriate standards.

A tall order but Learning List can help.

Learning List’s alignment reports clarify which set of standards a product addresses, such as the Common Core State Standards or the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Our alignment reports evaluate the product’s alignment, determining whether the material fully addresses the content, context, and cognitive demand of each of the relevant standards. Thus, Learning List’s alignment reports provide strong evidence about whether a product is grounded in the relevant standards. [Read more…]

New Product Review: Edmentum Study Island

August 12, 2022April 2, 2018

Edmentum’s Study Island is a supplemental online product that helps students in grades K-12 master English language arts/reading (ELAR) standards and prepare for standardized exams. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grades 3-6. Content supports teacher-guided instruction and independent study. Teachers may create their own lessons and assessments using online tools. [Read more…]

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