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New NGSS Curriculum Review: McGraw Hill’s Inspire Science (K-8)

April 25, 2025

NGSS Inspire Science image for grades K-8 published by McGraw-Hill Education

Is your district considering purchasing a new science curriculum aligned to the NGSS? Before you do, take a look at Learning List’s review of McGraw Hill’s Inspire Science.

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

April 20, 2025

Bluebonnet Math published by the Texas Education Agency

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 …

New Curriculum Review: 95% Phonics

December 3, 2024

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 in the instruction.

Instruction is organized in units comprised of several consistently formatted lessons. Lessons typically span five days at between 20-30 minutes per day, depending on the grade level. Units and lessons within and across grade levels are sequenced to present skills in a logical, research-based progression. The material is provided in English.

Curriculum Review: TCI’s K-5 Social Studies Alive!

September 6, 2024August 6, 2024

Images of TCI's social studies materials

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.

Social Studies Alive! is a comprehensive, curriculum designed to support social studies instruction for students in grades K-5. Materials are available in print and digital formats. The program intends to provide an engaging learning experience through interactive, inquiry-based lessons that include cross-curricular connections.

Supplemental Math Product: Get More Math for TEKS

June 18, 2024

Would your teachers like to have more math practice problems for their students? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Get More Math.

Get More Math is a supplemental 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. It is designed to work as part of the instructional cycle, generally as part of guided or independent practice. Instruction, remediation, and assessment are not part of the program.

New Curriculum Reviews for Technology Applications: TechApps for Texas by Learning.com

November 8, 2023

Technology Applications: Image of man standing on a laptop surrounded by squared containing representations of applications for technology all around him

TechApps for Texas is 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 …

New Reviews: Studies Weekly’s Texas Science Curriculum (K-5)

October 30, 2023

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 additional activities to support learning the content.

New Curriculum Reviews: Discovery’s Science Techbooks (K-8)

October 25, 2023

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 …

New Science Curriculum Reviews: PhD Science K-5

November 28, 2023October 23, 2023

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 typically addressed in elementary science. Each module includes multiple lessons which are grouped based on related concepts. Lessons are intended for 35 minutes of instruction in grades K-2 and 45 minutes of instruction in grades 3-5.

New Science Curriculum Reviews: Savvas Texas Experience Science

October 24, 2023October 17, 2023

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). Experiences are based on the 5E model and span three, four, or five days of instruction, depending on the lesson model teachers select.

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