myON is a supplemental online product that supports cross-curricular reading instruction in grades K-12. Content is formatted as a digital library of authentic texts organized by theme and reading level. Most texts are non-fiction and informational. The library is searchable by keyword and a variety of filters, including standards. Resources enable independent student reading and group instruction using interactive whiteboards. Learning List conducted and editorial review for myON’s K-12 library. We did not conduct an alignment review because myON is a library focused on developing students’ reading skills; it does not teach state standards. [Read me…]
English Language Arts and Reading
Posts about ELA/R materials
New Product Reviews: Odysseyware Middle School Mathematics and English Language Arts and Reading (Texas Editions)
Learning List has reviewed Glynlyon’s Odysseyware Texas middle school products for mathematics and English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR). Both products are Texas Editions that were developed to address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Both math and ELAR products are comprehensive resources that cover a full year’s content. [Read more…]
New Curriculum Review: Odysseyware High School English Language Arts Courses
Learning List has reviewed several of Odysseyware’s high school English language arts products, including English I, English II, English III, and English IV and the “Fundamentals” version of each course (e.g. English I Fundamentals). Each product supports year-long instruction in self-paced and credit-recovery programs and blended learning environments. [Read more…]
New Curriculum Review: Pacific Learning’s CSI Literacy
Learning List has reviewed Pacific Learning’s CSI Literacy for grades 7 and 8. CSI Literacy is supplemental product that supports literacy development in grades 3-8. Content is available in print and online formats and includes digital resources (i.e., USB drives). Instruction emphasizes the development of close reading skills and the comprehension of complex texts. Resources support instruction in blended learning environments.[Read more…]
Helping Kids Learn to Write
A recent New York Times article titled Why Kids Can’t Write explores the reasons behind U.S. students’ poor writing skills. The article asserts that the root of writing problems lies with teachers, most of whom have not been trained in how to teach writing, and who are not confident writers themselves. The article goes on to cite specific efforts, such as the National Writing Project and The Writing Revolution, that are focused on training educators how to teach writing skills, as well as the research on effective writing instruction, which suggests a few concrete strategies. For example, students should learn to transcribe by hand and using a computer. Instruction should teach students to write strong sentences before introducing paragraphs. Students benefit when writing instruction integrates grammar, includes models of good writing, and provides frequent feedback about the students’ own writing.
At Learning List, we believe that high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials, including writing materials, are critical to teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom. In our work this summer, we have reviewed several supplemental products that focus on teaching writing skills and preparing Texas students for the grade 4 STAAR Writing test. These products use different approaches, but each strives to improve students’ writing skills: [Read more…]
New Product Review: National Geographic Reach for Reading
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earning List has reviewed online materials for National Geographic’s Reach for Reading, which is a comprehensive product that supports language arts and reading instruction in grades K-6. Instruction addresses Common Core State Standards (CCSS) at each grade level and is organized in thematic units that focus on science and social studies topics and emphasize the importance of caring for the planet. [Read more…]
New Product Review: Savvas ReadyGEN
Learning List has reviewed online resources for Savvas’s ReadyGEN. This comprehensive product supports literacy instruction in grades K-6. Content is available in print and online formats and supports instruction in blended learning environments. Instruction is inquiry-based and focuses on developing independent readers and writers with strong reading and listening comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills. Across grade levels, ReadyGEN content is …
New Product Review: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journeys
Learning List has reviewed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Journeys, which is a comprehensive product that supports language arts and reading instruction in grades K-6. Content is available in print and online formats and facilitates instruction in blended learning environments. Journeys provides systematic and explicit instruction in key literacy skills at each grade level. Instruction focuses on vocabulary development, the close reading …
New Product Review: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Collections
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s (HMH) Collections is a comprehensive product that supports English language arts instruction in grades 6-12. Content is available in print and online formats and facilitates instruction in blended learning environments. Across grades, instruction focuses on developing students’ close reading skills, ability to think critically about texts, and use of textual evidence to support their conclusions. Learning List …
New Review: Savvas myPerspectives
Savvas’s myPerspectives is a comprehensive product that supports English language arts instruction in grades 6-12. Content is available in print and online formats and facilitates instruction in blended learning environments. The student-centered program develops close reading skills and students’ ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken formats. Learning List recently reviewed online resources for grades 6-8. At each middle …