New Product Review: The College Board’s SpringBoard English Language Arts and Language Workshop

SpringBoard

Learning List recently reviewed the College Board’s SpringBoard English Language Arts and Language Workshop middle school resources (i.e., grades 6-8), which were submitted for state adoption in Texas in response the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Both resources focus on developing English language arts skills through active learning. At each grade level, instruction emphasizes the development of the knowledge and skills needed for rigorous coursework, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Core content is presented in SpringBoard’s English Language Arts resource. Content at each grade is organized in four thematic units. For example, at grade 6, reading selections address the theme of change. Students explore the concepts of change and growth in their own lives and in the lives of real and imagined characters. Each unit includes a balance of literary and informational texts and opportunities for students to respond to non-print texts, such as photographs and clips from audio recordings and films. For the most part, units incorporate reading selections that present the experiences of diverse individuals and cultures. [Read more…]

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New Product Review: Texas A&M University Press Texas Aquatic Science

Texas Aquatic Science

Texas A&M University Press’s Texas Aquatic Science is a comprehensive aquatic science product that supports science instruction in grades 6-8 and high school Aquatic Science and Environmental Science courses. The student text is available in print and online formats; teacher resources are in print format only. Instruction examines water from the molecular level to the level of aquatic ecosystems. Learning List reviewed materials for high school Aquatic Science courses.

Texas Aquatic Science is a joint project involving the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, and The Hart Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. The course includes an online and print-based student text, and a Teacher Guide that is integral to instruction. The online student text and course-specific videos are available at no cost (http://texasaquaticscience.org/). [Read more…]

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New Product Review: Heinemann Primary Comprehension Toolkit

Heinemann Toolkit

Heinemann’s Primary Comprehension Toolkit is a supplemental product that supports active reading of informational texts in grades K-2. Materials are available in print only. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grades K-2. The Toolkit strives to develop active learners and responsive teachers. Instruction focuses on developing the skills to help young students understand nonfiction texts and retain what they read. Content is not grade specific. Primary Comprehension Toolkit resources may be used across grades K-2.

The Comprehension Toolkit uses the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) instructional model to support reading instruction in elementary classrooms. In the GRR model, teachers model skills and strategies first and then students practice skills and strategies in guided, collaborative, and independent activities. Toolkit content is organized in 34 cross-curricular lessons that integrate topics from math and science. Lessons are presented in seven separate teacher resources. [Read more…]

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New Product Reviews: KAMICO STAAR Connection Diagnostic Series: Writing and Math

Kamico

KAMICO’s STAAR Connection Diagnostic Series: Writing and STAAR Connection Diagnostic Series: Math are test preparation products designed to help students in grades K-12 prepare for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) writing and mathematics exams and high school end-of-course exams. Content is available in print format. Resources include practice tests that address specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Practice tests consist of multiple-choice questions that reflect what students will see on the STAAR exam, and the writing product includes writing prompts. Learning List recently reviewed writing resources for grades 1-4 and math resources for grades K-2 and 4.

Writing practice tests present short reading passages followed by 8-12 multiple-choice questions that address editing and revising skills. Reading passage sentences are numbered to facilitate ease of reference in students’ responses, and many passages include black and white illustrations. Some questions include charts and diagrams for students to consider. Students in grades 3 and 4 respond to multiple-choice questions using a bubble answer sheet. Each test has a writing prompt that generally asks students to respond to short quote (e.g., “Practice makes perfect.”). [Read more…

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New Product Review: Exploros English Language Arts/Reading

Exploros

Exploros is an open-educational resource (OER) that provides comprehensive products that support instruction in the social studies and English language arts/reading (ELAR) core content areas. Exploros is available at no cost. Content is available online and facilitates instruction in teacher-led, technology-based learning environments, such as 1:1 programs and flipped classrooms. This review is of ELAR resources for grades 4-8.

At each grade level, Exploros organizes content in seven units that address: (1) foundational skills, (2) literary genres, (3) non-fiction texts, (4) author’s craft, (5) personal narrative, (6) the writing process, and (7) inquiry and research. Each unit is made up of a set of “experiences” or lessons that are organized using the 5E model (i.e., engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate). A “scene” or a set of online page(s) is provided for each “E” in the model. Scenes are activities related to the E of the 5E model. For example, the first scene in each lesson/experience is an engagement activity that clarifies the lesson’s learning objectives. [Read more…]

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New Product Review: ECS Learning Systems STAAR Master Math and STAAR Master Reading

ECS Learning Systems’ STAAR Master Math and STAAR Master Reading are test preparation products designed to prepare Texas students in grades 1-8 for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) mathematics and reading exams. Content is available in print format. Instruction focuses on problem sets (math) and questions (reading) that address specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Problems and questions are formatted to reflect what students will see on the STAAR exam. Learning List recently reviewed “Student Practice Book” resources for grades 3-5.

Student Practice Books in math are organized in four sections that address each of the TEKS Reporting Categories for mathematics (e.g., Geometry and Measurement, Data Analysis and Personal Financial Literacy). Each section begins with the full text of the TEKS for the Category and whether the standard is a Readiness or Supporting Standard. Subsequent content is made up of practice exercises formatted to reflect what students will see on the STAAR exam (i.e., multiple-choice responses).  Each exercise includes the text of the TEKS addressed by the problem set and each problem in the set references the specific TEKS it addresses. [Read more…]

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New Product Review: EMC Mirrors & Windows: Connecting with Literature

Kamico Mirrors and Windows

EMC’s Mirrors & Windows: Connecting with Literature is a comprehensive resource to support English language arts instruction in grades 6-12. The program includes print and web-based resources. In the middle school grades (grades 6-8), instruction uses the theme of “mirrors and windows” to help students use literature to reflect on their own lives and to connect with people from different cultures and times.

Across middle school grades, Mirrors & Windows units are organized in terms of a theme linked to a literary genre. For example, a grade 6 unit that introduces poetry is centered on the theme of “Expressing Yourself.” Each unit is made up of a set of reading selections related to the theme. [Read more…]

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New Product Review: Teacher Created Materials TIME for Kids: Exploring Nonfiction

Exploring TIME for kids

Teacher Created Materials’ TIME for Kids: Exploring Nonfiction is a supplemental product that supports reading instruction in grades K-5. Content is available in print format. Instruction focuses on developing students’ reading comprehension skills using short, Informational texts that address a variety of content areas and student interests. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grade 4.

Exploring Nonfiction’s grade 4 resources are contained in a classroom kit that includes sets of nonfiction text cards addressing topics in math, social studies, science, and language arts. Cards are numbered and color coded by subject area (e.g., green = science). The front of each text card presents a short nonfiction piece, such as an article or letter. The back of each card contains “Comprehension Connection” and “Skill Focus” features, a list of key vocabulary, and a “Writing Extension” task. [Read more…]

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New Product Review: Sharon Wells Mathematics Program

Sharon Wells Mathematics

Sharon Wells Mathematics Program is a comprehensive product that supports mathematics instruction and preparation for Texas STAAR exams in grades 2-5. Content is available in print format. Instruction is tailored to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) at each grade level and emphasizes preparation for standardized tests. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grade 4.

The Sharon Wells Mathematics Program is organized in six 6-week units. Daily resources support 90 minutes of math instruction and are made up primarily of black and white problem-solving worksheets. At grade 4, instruction is organized in four core components: (1) Problem Solving/Process TEKS, (2) Basic Facts, (3) Skills, and (4) Concepts. Each component begins with a list of the TEKS covered by instruction and includes open-ended and multiple-choice practice problems. Multiple-choice problems are formatted to reflect STAAR exams. [Read more…]

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New Product Review: GrapeSEED

GrapeSEED: English for ChildrenLearning List has reviewed GrapeSEED, which is a supplemental product that supports English for language learners as well as English language arts/reading (ELAR) instruction in grades K and 1. Content is in print form and available online including digital (i.e., DVD) resources. GrapeSEED is an oral language program that develops students’ speaking and listening skills while providing a foundation for literacy. Instruction strives to accelerate the development of language skills, reduce achievement gaps, and increase the confidence of emergent readers. [Read more…]

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