Over the last several years, we have reviewed hundreds of science materials aligned to state standards, Advanced Placement frameworks, and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Over the last two years, we have observed a significant design shift in science products. Using the 5E model and Project Based Learning (PBL), publishers are designing science instruction to engage students in doing science, rather than learning about science. Where traditional instructional materials might present information and ask students to respond through short-answer or multiple-choice questions, newer materials provide teachers with resources to facilitate inquiry-based science instruction.
Instructional Materials Reviewed
Blog posts featuring highlights from our reviews of thousands of widely used PreK-12 instructional materials.
New Product: Math NSpired from Texas Instruments
Is your district looking for a resource to support students and teachers in grade 8 mathematics and Algebra I? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Texas Instruments’ Math Nspired.
Texas Instruments’ Math Nspired is a collection of supplemental online lessons and activities intended to teach mathematics content and provide professional learning support for teachers. Learning List has reviewed the content for grade 8 mathematics and Algebra I. The lessons are provided to teachers as part of their participation in professional learning services provided through Texas Instruments. The goal is to support teachers in implementing engaging strategies, thereby helping students achieve greater conceptual understanding of the content.
New Product: Brainingcamp
Are you looking for an easy way to provide math manipulatives for students? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Brainingcamp.
Brainingcamp is a supplemental digital site for students in grades K-12 mathematics. The site consists of sixteen digital math manipulatives, designed to support instruction across multiple areas of mathematics. The focus of the site is to make the use of math manipulatives convenient and effective in a variety of instructional settings by providing a digital alternative to physical math manipulatives.
New Curriculum Review: Science A to Z
Do your elementary teachers need materials to help them integrate science and literacy instruction? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Learning A-Z’s Science A-Z.
Learning A-Z’s Science A-Z is part of a suite of materials intended to support the development of 21st century skills. It is a supplemental program that supports science instruction in grades K through 6. The focus of the program is integrating science and reading instruction through multilevel texts and hands-on learning experiences.
New Curriculum Review: Social Studies Success U.S. History
Are you looking for a resource to support social studies instruction for grade 8? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Social Studies Success-U.S. History.
Social Studies Success-U.S. History is a set of materials designed to support the grade 8 U.S. History course in Texas. The primary purpose of the material is to provide TEKS-based instruction that includes examination of primary sources and content-based readings, as well as integration of the process standards.
New Product: Savvas’ iLit ELL
Are your teachers looking for a reading intervention program to serve students at varying skill levels? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Savvas’ (formerly Pearson) iLit ELL.
Savvas’ iLit ELL is a fully digital, supplemental reading intervention program for students in grades 4-12. The program is designed to support EL students at all levels of an EL program (i.e., Newcomer, long-term). iLit ELL provides a consistent instructional routine, engaging content, and interactive tools to support multiple areas of literacy and language development.
New Curriculum Review: STEMscopes Math
Is your district looking for an elementary program that supports inquiry-based learning? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Accelerate Learning’s STEMscopes Math.
Accelerate Learning’s STEMscopes Math is a comprehensive mathematics program for grades K-5. The materials are digital, with the option of printing PDF documents for most program components. The program makes intentional connections to math concepts as they are found in the everyday world.
New Product: FEV Tutor for Algebra I
Is your district looking for support with math tutoring? Take a look at Learning List’s review of FEV Tutor.
FEV Tutor provides live one-to-one virtual tutoring designed to support individual student learning needs across core content areas. Learning List recently reviewed the content for Algebra I. FEV Tutor partners with school districts and teachers to determine and implement a personalized tutoring plan for each student using FEV Tutor’s “Targeted Lessons”, content provided by the district, or content from other FEV Tutor partners.
New Curriculum Review: Savvas’ Elevate Science for NGSS
Does your district need instructional materials to support K-8 implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Savvas’ (formerly Pearson) Elevate Science.
Elevate Science is a comprehensive science program for grades K-8. Materials are available in print and online. The program focuses on providing student-centered, three-dimensional learning. Elevate supports the development of critical and analytical thinking while developing literacy skills and an interest in STEM related activities.
New Product: Fast ForWord® for K-5
Is your district looking for a reading intervention program that students can use independently? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Scientific Learning’s Fast ForWord K-12®.
Scientific Learning’s Fast ForWord K12 is a digitally-based reading intervention program for students in grades K-12. Learning List just completed reviews of this materials for grades K-5, as a follow-up to our reviews for grade 6-12 in January, 2020. Fast ForWord K12 is comprised of two primary components, Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant Plus. The purpose of the program is to support the development of foundational literacy skills and is intended for students who are struggling readers.