Search Results

Districts across the country are preparing to adopt new materials this school year. We thought we'd share some important considerations to help you implement an efficient and effective adoption process.  Following are questions to help you define the scope of your adoption: What subjects and grade levels will you be adopting new materials for? Are you adopting the primary material for the subject or a supplemental product? Are you planning to adopt the same material across all grade spans or does each grade span, or even each grade level, have autonomous decision-making? Have you audited your existing materials to identify gaps/deficits (i.e., gaps in alignment, gaps in adaptions)? Have you conducted a needs assessment to help you identify the features that the new materials  must have in order to support teaching and learning effectively in your classroom/campus/district over the next several years?  Consider distributing the needs assessment to content area teachers, campus leadership, the district's curriculum and technology teams, parents and your community to ensure that all end users' perspectives are considered.The feedback from your needs assessment may not only define what your materials  must  contain, you may also come away with a list of features that would be nice-to-have in the new materials but are not quite as critical. Have you also considered these other important factors to help you identify which new materials will meet your needs best: Student achievement and demographic trends that may indicate the need for adaptions in the new materials; Teacher experience which could dictate instructional resources the new materials should contain; and, If you will be considering online materials, your campus/district's technology parameters to ensure that the material you select can be supported in that environment? This list is not exhaustive; certainly, there are additional questions you could ask/answer to help you define what you are looking for in the new adoption. The answers to these questions can help (a) establish the district’s priorities for the adoption, (b) build the district’s rubric for reviewing materials, and (c) keep selection committee discussions focused on the product features that matter most.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Saxon Phonics & Spelling is a supplemental product that supports the development of foundational skills in grades K-3. Content is available in print format and is designed to supplement a reading program. Instruction develops phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling and fluency skills and includes lessons addressing handwriting. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grades K - 2. Saxon Phonics & Spelling materials at each grade level are contained in a classroom kit that include student, teacher, and classroom resources to support instruction. Student resources include worksheets, alphabet handwriting strips, decodable readers, and a spelling dictionary (grade 1 only). Classroom resources include posters, card decks, a CD pronunciation guide, fluency readers. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Instruction is carefully sequenced. Teachers are advised not to skip lessons or teach them out of order. Each lesson begins with a warm-up activity that includes a review and practice of prior learning and then instruction moves to the “New Increment,” or the topic of the day’s instruction (e.g., the Letter G). Each lesson includes scripted direct instruction. Students have opportunities for guided and independent practice, and some lessons include homework worksheets. Lessons provide opportunities for students to speak, write, and use manipulatives, such as letter tiles and card decks. Most instructional weeks are structured with a formative assessment activity on the fifth day. About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt* Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global learning company committed to delivering integrated solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental solutions and professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students’ potential and extend teachers’ capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 3 million educators in 150 countries, while its award-winning children's books, novels, non-fiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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=">Read" more... ="more..."> Twenty-two lessons are organized in six books, each of which addresses a specific “Strategy Cluster” for reading nonfiction texts. Strategy Clusters include: (1) Monitor Comprehension, (2) Activate and Connect , (3) Ask Questions, (4) Infer & Visualize, (5) Determine Importance, and (6) Summarize and Synthesize. The remaining 12 lessons are contained in a “Content Literacy” book that builds on the work students do in strategy lessons. Content Literacy lessons ask students to integrate the strategies and to apply reading skills across content areas. About Heinemann* Heinemann is a publisher of professional resources and a provider of educational services for teachers, kindergarten through college. We strive to give voice to those who share our respect for the professionalism and compassion of teachers and who support teachers’ efforts to help children become literate, empathetic, knowledgeable citizens. Our authors are exemplary educators eager to support the practice of other teachers through books, videos, workshops, online courses, and most recently through explicit teaching materials. Our commitment to our work and customers’ enthusiastic response to our offerings has made us the leading publisher in this area. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Heinemann .

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=">Read" more... ="more..."> Math practice tests present eight to ten questions that incorporate the TEKS Readiness and Supporting Standards as well as Mathematical Process Skills. At grade K, tests are made up primarily of images that students must count, recognize in terms of shapes, and estimate in terms of quantity (e.g., “Which car will hold the most people?”). At grades 1 and 2, practice tests still include many images, but increasingly rely on text-based questions, including word problems. At grade 4, questions continue to include visual supports and students are asked to use images of mathematical tools, such as number lines and rulers, to answer questions About KAMICO* KAMICO® Instructional Media, Inc. embarked on a mission in 1988 to develop the most effective instructional and test preparation materials possible and to distribute those materials at prices that made them accessible to all students. Founder and current president Kathy Michael was a classroom teacher when she created the initial instructional and test preparation books and games after finding no products available that met her students' academic needs. Her knowledge of the classroom, children's learning styles, curriculum design and development, and assessment requirements led to the creation of a results-oriented product line that is engaging, challenging, and effective. Today, KAMICO®'s expansive product line provides educators with the tools to ensure student mastery of state curriculum standards and success on state assessments. These tools are used by educators across the country to assess the academic strengths and weaknesses of students, assist students in mastering curriculum standards determined by their state, build students' test-taking endurance, develop students' test-taking skills, and relieve students' test-taking anxiety. educators who praised these materials shared their students' academic progress and test results with other teachers, principals, and superintendents. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from KAMICO .

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=">Read" more... ="more..."> At each grade level, Exploros includes a unit titled “The Writing Process” that provides explicit instruction in the writing process, including punctuation, drafting, editing, and revising. Students evaluate their writing using a rubric. The final lesson in the unit is titled “Writing for Assessments.” Students learn to write in response to assessment prompts using the “PAST” strategy (i.e., ­ P urpose, A udience, S ubject, T ype of Writing) and related graphic organizers. About Exploros* Exploros drives student engagement and transitions classrooms to student-centered learning. Teachers can focus on guiding instruction, and personalizing the classroom learning experience. Students collaborate as a class, work in small groups, and individually, developing graphic organizers, writing essays, investigating primary sources, creating drawings, tables, word clouds, and much more. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Exploros .

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=">Read" more... ="more..."> Reading Student Practice Books present a variety of short informational and literary texts followed by multiple choice-questions that assess students’ ability to read and understand texts. Questions address vocabulary, knowledge of language conventions, media literacy, ability to locate and use text-based information, and so on. Each question references the TEKS and reading skill (e.g., inference) it addresses and includes a label reflecting its level of complexity (i.e., low , medium , and high ). About ECS Learning Systems* As a leading publisher of state-specific test-prep materials, ECS is pioneering the concept of Integrated Test Prep. This approach encompasses six essential stages of test preparation: diagnose, teach, practice, evaluate, remediate, and reinforce. Traditional test-prep programs focus solely on targeted test practice, creating an imbalance that compromises sound teaching practices. With the TestSMART® and STAAR MASTER® series, teachers can embark on a path to Integrated Test Prep. This balanced approach supports a strong curriculum, varied instructional methods, and targeted test practice. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from ECS Learning Systems .

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=">Read" more... ="more..."> Instruction focuses on the development of “close reading” skills using three readings of the same text. Each reading is for a different purpose, such as identifying important details, determining the text’s structure, and interpreting the its meaning. Reading strategies to be used before (e.g., build background), during (e.g., ask questions, visualize), and after reading (e.g., recall, analyze) each selection are provided. Lessons are organized using the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) model, which frames activities in terms of Guided, Directed, and Independent Reading. About EMC* Over the years, EMC School has grown steadily into one of the nation’s leading producers of blended learning solutions for K-12 schools throughout the country.  EMC School  offers K-12 programs in Language Arts, World Languages, Business Education, and Social Studies with supplementary and multimedia materials. EMC is now a division of  Carnegie Learning, Inc. , a comprehensive, dynamic and progressive learning technology company. Advocating a belief in teaching and determination to help students develop as learners and thinkers, Carnegie Learning is seeking to re-define the role of technology across the K-16 landscape. Its mathematics and STEM division delivers research-proven mathematics curriculum and the MATHia® platform for grades 6-12, developmental math support for 2- and 4-year colleges, project-based digital solutions for STEM, and best-in-class K-12 professional learning services. For more information, please visit  www.carnegielearning.com  and  www.emcp.com . *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from  EMC .

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=">Read" more... ="more..."> Each Exploring Nonfiction text card may be used to support one or more lessons that develop specific reading skills, such as using maps, referencing a glossary, and summarizing information. Reading selections are cross-curricular and address topics in science, social studies, math, and language arts. Nonfiction content is provided by TIME for Kids and is differentiated for students reading at- and below grade level. About Teacher Created Materials* Teacher Created Materials (TCM) is a leading educational publisher with products that are used in classrooms in all 50 states and in 89 countries. Everything TCM publishes is still created by teachers for teachers and students because they still believe that no one knows what teachers need more than other teachers and they know that all students can become lifelong learners. And each year TCM provides professional development to over 10,000 teachers, helping them to perfect their craft. It is that sense of commitment to teachers, students, and the community that exemplifies TCM’s mission, vision, and values and underlies everything they do. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Teacher Created Materials .

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=">Read" more... ="more..."> Each week has an assessment, and each six-week unit ends with a comprehensive review and assessment. Assessments and reviews are made up of multiple-choice questions. For each assessment resource, teachers have a “Student Performance Data” sheet which lists the Reporting Category and TEKS addressed by each test item. Teachers enter each student’s name and whether they answered each item correctly. Completed sheets enable teachers to see patterns in students’ responses and to group students for re-teaching and remediation. About the Sharon Wells Mathematics Program The Sharon Wells Mathematics Program is designed on the principle of maintaining unique recurring methods and pedagogical beliefs for implementing effective mathematics instruction for young learners such as: Providing rigorous and in-depth lessons, frequent assessments, and spiraled repetition of readiness concepts Real life, hands–on lessons using manipulatives Building a strong foundation for understanding with conceptual learning opportunities from concrete to abstract activities Active learning experiences to conceptualize skills being taught The Program strives to create lessons that engage students so they can build the conceptual foundation and develop the mathematical processes needed for strengthening cognitive math skills, algebraic reasoning and problem solving. This will not only lead to success in the current grade level, but prepare students to transfer the learning to higher level mathematics. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from the Sharon Wells Mathematics Program .

Learning List has reviewed TeachTransform’s Master Fractions. This is a supplemental product that supports mathematics instruction in grades 2-5. Resources are available in print format and are designed for teachers. The text’s blackline masters must be copied for student use. Instruction focuses solely on fractions; other math content is not addressed. At each grade level, Master Fractions provides a variety of activities that help students develop the conceptual understanding needed to master the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) related to fractions. At each grade level, Master Fractions is organized in sections, or units, made up of lessons that address specific concepts related to fractions. For example, at grade 4, sections address (1) representing and iterating fractions, (2) equivalent fractions, (3) comparing fractions, and (4) adding and subtracting fractions. Instruction emphasizes the use of visual models and simple manipulatives. Content is presented simply in black and white print and is designed for teacher use. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Each activity contains “Teacher Notes” that clarify the purpose of the lesson, reference the relevant TEKS, and provide detailed guidance in preparing for and delivering instruction. Guidance includes “Meaning Behind the Math” background information in math concepts, and “Working the Classroom” pedagogical support in the use of models, manipulatives, and other strategies (e.g., word walls). The “Reading, Writing, and Speaking to Improve Critical Thinking” feature suggests strategies to develop students’ academic vocabulary and the ability to communicate mathematical reasoning in written and spoken formats. About TeachTransform* The TeachTransform series was created by Carol Gautier, a Texas mathematics educator whose career has included teaching middle school math in Round Rock ISD, working as a Project Coordinator for Math and Science at Education Service Center Region 13, and serving as the Supervisor of Mathematics for Austin ISD. Her goal in creating the TeachTransform products is to provide meaningful math materials that help math teachers fine-tune their use of class time and to help students to love math.   *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from TeachTransform .

Edmentum’s Courseware™ is an online program that supports instruction in self-paced, remediation, and credit recovery programs. provides comprehensive instruction in each of the core subjects, as well as in other content areas (e.g., world languages). Instruction is provided online and includes printable materials. Learning List recently reviewed the publisher’s courses for high school social studies. These courses include Texas U.S. History, World History Survey, World Geography, Economics, and U.S. Government.  < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Each course is organized in units that begin with a pre-test that assesses students’ mastery of learning objectives. Based on pre-test results, teachers may exempt students from some or all of the unit’s lessons or use results to provide targeted remediation. Lessons are structured as tutorials followed by mastery tests. The tutorial provides direct instruction and guided practice in an interactive slide show format. Lessons are structured as tutorials followed by mastery tests. The tutorial provides direct instruction and guided practice in an interactive slide show format. Across courses, tutorials may include embedded videos, interactive timelines, and learning activities. Mastery tests are checks for understanding. Each unit ends with a “Unit Activity” and a post-test and each semester ends with a cumulative exam. Unit Activities are performance tasks that require students to review the unit’s content, read and evaluate sources, and present a written argument that incorporates sources. Unit and semester tests are made up primarily of multiple choice questions and are taken online. About Edmentum* Edmentum’s Courseware is a standards-based online learning program grounded in a tradition of solid research, sound pedagogy, and applied innovation. Edmentum develops rigorous, relevant curriculum that challenges your students with a 21st century approach - engaging them with interactive, media-rich content. Whether your students are falling behind, at grade level, or advanced, accommodate their unique needs in an environment in which they will thrive. Courseware can be used in a lab setting, a blended model in which online courses supplement the traditional classroom, or through a completely virtual experience. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Edmentum .

Learning Farm is a supplemental online program that provides instruction and adaptive practice activities that address specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in mathematics, English language arts/reading, and science for students in grades K-8. Instruction is presented in interactive learning activities that support independent practice, review, and preparation for standardized tests. Learning List recently reviewed mathematics resources for grades 3-5. Learning Farm’s content is organized in “Topics” (e.g., place value, area) that address specific TEKS (e.g., 3.2.A, 3.6.C) and are grouped in terms of TEKS reporting categories (e.g., Numbers and Operations, Geometry and Measurement). Each topic has an optional short lesson that explains concepts using text, mathematical tools (e.g., number lines), and visual models. Lessons include a set of practice questions that students complete independently. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Core instruction is provided in “Test” or “Game” modes. Content is the same in each mode. In Game mode, students are rewarded with games for correct answers. Instruction is adaptive. When students answer incorrectly, Learning Farm presents additional problems similar to the one the student missed until mastery is achieved. Students who continue to struggle are directed to a lower-level “helper topic” designed to provide remediation and support. An icon depicting a lifesaver in online class rosters cues teachers to students completing helper topics. About Learning Farm* Learning Farm's mission is to create cutting edge educational software products that are easy to use, engaging to students, affordable for schools, and ultimately improve students' educational outcomes. Learning Farm has developed these three core beliefs: Student Focused - The most effective classroom resources are designed with student usage as the top priority. Simple implementation and ease of use are a must. Quality Content - The best resources have quality content designed specifically for the curriculum teachers are expected to teach. It is not good enough to piece together content from multiple sources and align it to standards. To be most effective, the content must be designed and presented specifically based on the realities of today's rigorous standards and assessments. Affordable - Education companies spend too much time and money on sales and marketing which is bad for schools. In most cases, too much money and focus are devoted to sales and marketing and not enough on product research, development, and quality. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Learning Farm .