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Learning List has reviewed Cengage Learning’s The American Pageant, 16 th Edition, which is a comprehensive resource that supports instruction in Advanced Placement (AP) United States History courses. Content is available in print and eBook formats and includes additional online components. The text provides a narrative discussion of U.S. history focusing on the political, economic, societal, and cultural forces that have shaped the country. The American Pageant is organized in five chronological parts that begin with early Native American societies (ca 33,000 B.C.E.) and end with contemporary events (i.e., 2014). Each chapter begins with a short quote from a key individual of the period and a brief introduction. Textboxes present short quotes from diverse individuals from the period (e.g., an African American woman describing her experiences in the Jim Crow South, and John F. Kennedy). Resources include a sets of multiple-choice and short-answer questions formatted to reflect what students will see on the AP exam, including stimulus-based questions. The text includes a section titled “Practice Materials for the AP United States History Examination” that contains document-based questions and long essay questions to help students prepare for the exam. About Cengage Learning* Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology, and services company for the higher education and K–12, professional and library markets worldwide. The company provides superior content, personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that accelerate student engagement and transform the learning experience. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Cengage Learning .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Learning List has reviewed each of the career and technical education (CTE) courses submitted in response to the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2017 call for products to support instruction in Anatomy and Physiology. The Texas Education Code (TEC) specifies that Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) is a one-credit course that satisfies high school science graduation requirements and that students participating in A&P courses must meet the 40% laboratory and fieldwork requirement (TEC § 130.224).  Six publishers submitted comprehensive A&P products in response PROC 2017. Each course introduces students to the systems, processes, and functions of the human body, and how systems interact to maintain homeostasis. The courses are summarized briefly below.  Given the importance of vocabulary development, lab experiences, and preparation for further education and careers in A&P course work, the summaries focus on these components of each product. B.E. Publishing: Understanding Anatomy & Physiology: A Visual, Auditory, Interactive Approach, 2 nd  Edition: Materials are available in print and eBook formats with additional online components. The course is divided into five parts, or units: (1) The Organization of the Body, (2) Covering, Support, and Movement of the Body, (3) Regulation and Integration of the Body, (4) Maintenance of the Body, and (5) Continuity. Each unit is made up of chapters that address the organs, systems, and processes related to the functions covered in the unit. New vocabulary is highlighted in the text and defined in context. The text does not include phonetic spellings or a glossary; however, online resources include an audio glossary that defines and pronounces new terms. Online resources, including animations, podcasts and interactive exercises, support independent study. Cengage Learning’s Body Structures and Functions, 13 th Edition:  Resources are available in print format and include additional online components. The course begins with an overview of the instructional resources included in the course and guidance in how to use them (e.g., “Visually highlight important material and a brief history of anatomical science). Subsequent chapters introduce the body’s structural units (e.g., cells, tissues), its systems and their functions (e.g., the circulatory system), and the components of each system (e.g., blood, heart). New vocabulary is highlighted in the text, defined in context and in the text’s glossary, and spelled phonetically. Chapters end with a “Medical Terminology” feature, a set of review exercises, a case study, and several lab activities. Medical Terminology provides lists of prefixes and suffixes and their roles in creating medical terms (e.g., intra: inside; intra/cellular: inside the cell). A “Career Profiles” feature describes careers in the medical field. A “One Body” feature describes the interactions between body systems (e.g., skeletal and muscular). CEV Multimedia’s Anatomy & Physiology:  Materials are available online and include some print components. Instruction begins with a set of lessons addressing general topics (e.g., Professional Communication, Scientific Reasoning), followed by lessons addressing the body’s systems (e.g., the circulatory system) and human development (e.g., fetal and infant, adolescent male). Lessons addressing medical equipment and how the body’s systems interact are provided. Most content is presented in bullet-points on PowerPoint slides. Additional instruction is presented using print materials and closed-captioned videos. Instruction clarifies the definitions of new terms; each lesson includes a printable vocabulary sheet with definitions. Lessons include video interviews with professionals working in related fields (e.g., registered nurse) and accompanying research activities. Print materials for PowerPoint and video lessons include vocabulary worksheets, activities (e.g., “Labeling Homeostasis Components”), and projects (e.g., create an informational poster about blood type). An accompanying “Human Body Lab Book” is required for some activities; Learning List’s reviewers did not have access to the Lab Book. Goodheart-Willcox’s Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology:  Resources are available in print and eBook formats and include additional online components. The course begins with a chapter titled “Foundations of Human Anatomy and Physiology” that provides an introduction to vocabulary, basic physiological processes, the effects of force on the body, the scientific method, and individuals who advanced the field (e.g., Leonardo da Vinci). Subsequent chapters address unique body systems (e.g., The Nervous System) and are organized in self-contained lessons that progress in a logical order, culminating in a lesson about diseases and disorders common to the body system (e.g., “Injuries and Disorders of the Nervous System”). Key vocabulary is highlighted in the chapter, defined in context, in a “Mini Glossary” at the end of the lesson, and in the glossary at the back of the book. Other important terms are italicized in the text and defined in context and in the book’s glossary. Terms that are difficult to pronounce are spelled phonetically. Online resources include an “Audio Glossary” that pronounces new terms. Vivid full-color illustrations and diagrams include accompanying critical thinking questions. eBook illustrations contain links to associated animations and labeling activities on the course’s companion website. Each chapter includes a Mini Glossary of key terms, a short “In the Lab” investigation, and a “Career Corner: Anatomy and Physiology at Work” feature that explores careers related to the body system covered in the chapter and contains activities in which students research the education, skills, and personal traits (e.g., teamwork and collaboration skills) required for related careers. A “Student Workbook and Lab Manual” has enrichment activities for each lesson and a hands-on lab investigation and practice test for each chapter. McGraw-Hill’s Hole’s Human Anatomy & Physiology, Texas Edition:  Resources are available in print and eBook formats with additional online components. The course’s first unit addresses the levels of organization in the human body (e.g., cell, tissue, organ). Subsequent units address the specific functions of the body’s organ systems (e.g., Support and Movement, Reproduction), and chapters cover the systems and processes involved in the function (e.g., the skeletal system; pregnancy, growth, and development). Chapters reference the TEKS addressed by instruction. New vocabulary is presented in bold font and defined in context and in a glossary. Terms that are difficult to pronounce include phonetic spelling. Each chapter includes a “Understanding Words” feature that examines the word forms, such as stems, prefixes, and affixes, that make up the chapter’s vocabulary (e.g., “ren-, kidney: renal cortex—outer region of a kidney.”). Illustrations and figures include questions that require students to analyze what they see (e.g., “What is the distance from the tongue to the duodenum, in English units?”). A “Career Corner” feature introduces students to careers in anatomy and physiology (e.g., anesthesiologist assistant). “InnerConnections” figures are included in some chapters and highlight how the different systems of the body interact. The “High School Laboratory Manual for Human Anatomy & Physiology,” while not specific to the Hole’s course, contains 34 complementary hands-on lab activities. Savvas’s Anatomy, Physiology, & Disease, 4 th Edition:  Resources are available in print and eBook formats with additional online components. The course frames instruction as a journey through a foreign land (i.e., the human body). The text’s first chapter addresses learning the specialized “foreign” language of medical terminology and abbreviations, and the second chapter, “The Human Body: Reading the Map,” introduces students to body positions, cavities, and regions. Subsequent chapters explore the organization of the body (e.g., cells and tissue), its systems (e.g., the skeletal system), and their functions (e.g., movement). The course’s final chapters address basic diagnostic tests (e.g., blood tests), the scientific method, the role of anatomy and physiology in day-to-day life (e.g., personal choices and wellness), and careers and career planning. Chapters begin with a list of new vocabulary with phonetic spellings. New vocabulary is highlighted and defined in context, margin notes, and in the text’s glossary. A variety of features help students integrate their learning and understand the real-world application of content. For example: “Clinical Application” describes the real-world applications of what students are learning (e.g., sensible use of antibiotics). “Applied Science” frames topics in anatomy and physiology in the context of other sciences (e.g., Forensics and Hair). “Pathology Connection” describes diseases and disorders related to the concepts students are learning (e.g., diabetes mellitus). For each of these state-adopted materials, LearningList.com features three professional reviews to inform your selection decision: Spec Sheet – an overview of the material’s key academic attributes and technology requirements; Editorial Review – an in-depth analysis of the materials instructional content and design, and Alignment Report - the state panel’s report showing the citations that where reviewed for alignment to the each TEKS. Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Learning List has reviewed TeachMe’s Math Games. This is a supplemental online product that supports math instruction for grades PK-8. Instruction uses an online suite of math games and apps to engage students using interactive, play-based learning experiences. Games address the Common Core State Standards Mathematics (CCSSM) content standards at each grade level. The CCSSM Mathematical Process Standards are not taught. Math Games organizes content at each grade level by math skills (e.g., comparison, fractions) and CCSSM content standards. Instruction is presented in games that provide corrective feedback and progress through a set of related skills. Many games are text-based and require students to read instructions, word problems, and written answers, which may present challenges for emerging readers, struggling readers, and English language learners. A robotic audio reader is provided. Learning List’s reviewers found Math Games to be a valuable resource in supporting RtI students, noting that teachers may create customized lessons to improve fluency and to address basic concepts (e.g., open or closed shapes) that build understanding of more rigorous content. Math Games are available at no cost at www.mathgames.com About TeachMe* TeachMe’s games and apps are guided by the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and pay careful attention to regional curriculum all over the world. Math Games uses a customized approach to learning and games change based on who is playing, their mastery of skills and their experiences. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Math Games .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Learning List has reviewed McGraw Hill’s (Silberberg) Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change, 7th Edition.   This comprehensive resource supports instruction in high school Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry courses. Content is available in print and digital formats with additional online resources. Instruction emphasizes problem solving and the process and contemporary applications of chemistry, including advances in computing. The text features vivid photographs and illustrations to support understanding. “Macroscopic-to-microscopic” illustrations combine a photograph of a chemical event (e.g., aqueous ionic reaction) with an illustration of the event at the microscopic molecular level and include the symbolic representation of the event. Frequent sample problems are provided. Sample problems have step-by-step solutions that demonstrate the plan - solve - check approach and include “Follow-Up” practice problems. Some sample problems contain illustrations and “Road Map” tips (e.g., “10 3 mL = 1L”) to help students better understand the solution strategy. Chapters contain “Tools of the Laboratory” and “Chemical Connections” articles. Tools of the Laboratory discusses tools, techniques, and procedures used in the chemistry lab. Chemical Connections (e.g. Chemical Connections to Environmental Science) provide the the connection between chemistry and other fields of study. Course eBooks have highlighting, bookmarking, and note taking tools. Additional online resources for Silberberg Chemistry include SmartBook adaptive reading materials, and ONnboard and SCOREboard adaptive tools that help students prepare for the course and the AP exam. About McGraw Hill Education* At McGraw-Hill Education, we believe that our contribution to unlocking a brighter future lies within the application of our deep understanding of how learning happens and how the mind develops. It exists where the science of learning meets the art of teaching. Our mission is to accelerate learning through intuitive, engaging, efficient and effective experiences – grounded in research. Educators have been and always will be at the core of the learning experience. The solutions we develop help educators impart their knowledge to students more efficiently. We believe that harnessing technology can enhance learning inside and outside of the classroom and deepen the connections between students and teachers to empower greater success. By partnering with educators around the globe, our learning engineers, content developers and pedagogical experts are developing increasingly open learning ecosystems that are proven to improve pass rates, elevate grades and increase engagement for each individual learner while improving outcomes for all. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from McGraw Hill Education .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Learning List recently reviewed McGraw Hill’s A History of Europe in the Modern World (Palmer), AP Edition . Available in print and digital formats, this comprehensive course supports instruction in high school Advanced Placement (AP) European History. Instruction emphasizes Europe’s role in modern global exchanges, nation building, transnational commercial systems, colonial empires, and cultural transitions.   Europe in the Modern World begins with a “Geography and History” article that explains how geography shapes cultural understandings and its role in framing the study of European history. The text’s first chapter is titled “The Rise of Europe” and summarizes modern Europe’s roots in the ancient and medieval worlds. Subsequent chapters are organized chronologically and focus on specific historical periods (e.g., “The Growing Power of Western Europe, 1640-1750”).   Instruction illustrates how primary and secondary sources reflect cultural understandings and assumptions. For example, some chapters include a “Historical Interpretations and Debates” feature that presents two very different perspectives on an event, individual, or cultural change of the period (e.g., the Industrial Revolution’s effects on work and domestic life). The course also underscores the experiences and developing roles of women in European history. Europe in the Modern World’s end-of-chapter and test bank questions are formatted to reflect the types of questions on the AP World History exam. Additional online components, available separately from the publisher, support student self-study and preparation for AP exams (e.g., ONboard). About McGraw Hill Education* At McGraw-Hill Education, we believe that our contribution to unlocking a brighter future lies within the application of our deep understanding of how learning happens and how the mind develops. It exists where the science of learning meets the art of teaching. Our mission is to accelerate learning through intuitive, engaging, efficient and effective experiences – grounded in research. Educators have been and always will be at the core of the learning experience. The solutions we develop help educators impart their knowledge to students more efficiently. We believe that harnessing technology can enhance learning inside and outside of the classroom and deepen the connections between students and teachers to empower greater success. By partnering with educators around the globe, our learning engineers, content developers and pedagogical experts are developing increasingly open learning ecosystems that are proven to improve pass rates, elevate grades and increase engagement for each individual learner while improving outcomes for all. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from McGraw Hill Education .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

L earning List has reviewed Apex Learning’s Texas Geometry. This is a comprehensive, online geometry product for Texas students. Core content is presented online and includes some printable materials. The course focuses on developing students’ conceptual understanding, computational skills, and proficiency in solving problems. Resources support instruction in self-paced, remediation, and credit-recovery programs. Texas Geometry is organized in two semesters. The first semester’s content is presented in five units that cover the foundations of geometry, triangles, right triangles, quadrilaterals and other polygons, and circles without coordinates. The second semester presents content in four units that address coordinate geometry, constructions and transformations, three-dimensional solids, and applications of probability. Across semesters, students learn to reason mathematically and to use mathematical models and tools to solve real-world problems. Each unit begins with a short video introduction that frames the real-world applications of what students will learn and connects new content to prior learning. Subsequent instruction is provided through a set of online activities and, where appropriate, accompanying worksheets. Each unit and semester ends with two versions of a unit/semester exam—one version presents open-ended questions and the second is made up of multiple choice items. About Apex Learning* Apex Learning’s digital curriculum is designed to support all students in achieving their potential, from those struggling with grade-level content to those capable of accelerating their learning. The curriculum is designed to actively engage students in learning—combining embedded supports and scaffolds to meet diverse student needs, actionable data to inform instruction, and success management, to ensure students get the outcomes they need. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Apex Learning .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Individual coaching conversations, professional learning communities, grade level team planning, and other informal learning situations are perfect opportunities for linking Learning List tools to support just-in-time learning. In Administrators, Are You Using Learning List to Plan for Observations? , we provided sample coaching questions related to the T-TESS Dimensions for planning and instruction. As you continue to provide coaching support, you may want to leverage Learning List’s resources once again.  Accessing these tools takes only a few moments, and more importantly, saves you time in researching additional resources.  Below are the T-TESS Dimensions for planning and the Learning List tools that will assist you and the teachers you are supporting.  T-TESS Planning Dimension 1.1: The teacher designs clear, well organized, sequential lessons that reflect best practice, align with standards and are appropriate for diverse learners. Learning List’s Alignment Comparison tool assists teachers in determining which of the district’s resources are aligned to the standards that they will address in the lesson(s) they are planning. Learning List’s Spec Sheets and Editorial Reviews provide information about any adaptions the instructional materials provide to help teachers plan instruction for students with diverse learning needs. Learning List’s Spec Sheet helps you identify materials that work on your district’s technology and the Spec  Sheet helps you quickly understand the technology requirements of materials you are considering or using. Both inform technology integration. Planning Dimension 1.2: The teacher uses formal and informal methods to measure student progress, then manages and analyzes student data to inform instruction. Learning List’s Spec Sheets and Editorial Reviews contain information about the assessments and monitoring tools provided in each instructional material. Learning List’s Alignment Comparison tool and detailed Alignment Reports identify the citations in each material (e.g., lessons, pages, videos) that Learning List has verified to be aligned to each standard. When planning for differentiation or RtI , teachers can use these resources to identify materials aligned to standards students are struggling with. Planning Dimension 1.3: Through knowledge of students and proven practices, the teacher ensures high levels of learning, social-emotional development and achievement for all students. Learning List’s Spec Sheets and Editorial Reviews provide information about the adaptions each instructional material provides to assist teachers in planning for diverse learning needs. Learning List’s search filters and Product Comparison tool make it easy to assess the vertical alignment of a material across grade levels.  Comparing the vertical alignment of a product across grade levels can assist teachers in planning intervention support. Planning Dimension 1.4: The teacher plans engaging, flexible lessons that engage higher-order thinking, persistence and achievement. Learning List’s Alignment Comparison tool assists teachers in determining which of the district’s resources are aligned to the standards they intend to address in the lesson they are planning. Learning List’s Spec Sheets and Editorial Reviews provide information about the adaptions each instructional material provides to assist teachers in planning for diverse learning needs. Coaching is an important part of your work as an educational leader. Leverage Learning List’s resources to save time, enhance teaching and accelerate learning in your district. While the descriptors of practice may be different, suggestions for use of Learning List resources will likely fit any model of teacher evaluation and support.

The Texas State Board of Education recently released this state adopted list of materials for Career & Technology Education (CTE) and Languages Other than English (LOTE) courses. As part of the Texas state adoption process, panels of educators review the alignment of each material to the relevant state standards for the course and develop a detailed evaluation report showing the citations in the panel verified to be aligned to each state standard. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not publish the state panel reports on the Agency’s website, though they are available through a public information request. Learning List has reviewed materials for these CTE courses.  For each of those materials, the state panel evaluation report will be posted along with Learning List’s Spec Sheet and Editorial Review on LearningList.com . For state-adopted materials for the remaining CTE courses and for LOTE materials, Learning List will make the state evaluation reports available to subscribers upon request . Requests may be made using the Chat, Contact Us or Request a Review features of our site. We hope that making these state evaluation reports available will help not only Texas subscribers but also subscribers in other states who may want to evaluate CTE and LOTE materials.  An explanation of how to read (and understand) a state evaluation reports is provided below. How to Read a State Panel Evaluation Report The first page of the report provides the state's calculation of the material’s alignment percentages to the TEKS and the English Language Proficiency Standards.  At the bottom of the page, there may be Reviewer’s Comments about the material. The “meat and potatoes” of the alignment report is contained in section (b) Knowledge and Skills, in a table like the one below that begins on pg. 2 or pg. 3 of the report. The first three columns of the table contain a TEKS statement, Student Expectation (SE) and Breakout. Materials submitted for state adoption are reviewed for alignment to the Breakouts of each SE. Note: SEs are generally compound and complex sentences. To facilitate the review of the alignment of each material, at the inception of each state adoption process, TEA staff breaks down each SE into its component parts, called “Breakouts.” The state panels review each material for alignment to the Breakouts. Each Breakout is listed on a separate row of the table. The four middle columns of the table identify the citations (e.g., the pages, lessons, videos) in the material that the state panel reviewed for alignment to each Breakout. The last two columns (furthest right) show whether (Yes/No) any of the citations reviewed were aligned to the Breakout and whether the material is aligned to that SE (which is only shown on the row of the first Breakout of the SE). The material must be aligned to all of the Breakouts of a SE in order for the material to be considered “aligned” to the SE. The Comments column may contain state reviewers’ comments about any citation that they found not to be aligned to the Breakout.   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Learning List has reviewed print materials for Bedford, Freeman & Worth's (BFW) Rogawski's Calculus for AP*: Early Transcendentals, 2nd Edition. This is a comprehensive product to support instruction in Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC courses. Content is available in print and digital formats and includes additional online resources. Instruction addresses conceptual understanding and skills and the application of calculus in a variety of real-world settings. Core content is presented in 12 chapters. The first chapter is a review of key pre-calculus concepts, such as graphing and linear, quadratic, trigonometric, and hyperbolic functions. Subsequent chapters follow a logical progression, beginning with the concepts of limits and differentiation (chapters 1-4) and progressing to integrals and the techniques and applications of integration (chapters 5-8). Final chapters (i.e., 9-12), address differential equations; infinite series; parametric equations, polar coordinates, and vector functions; and differentiation in several variables. Instruction closely tracks the College Board's big ideas, essential knowledge, and learning objectives for AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC. The use of technology to support problem solving is integrated throughout the content. Each chapter includes 20 multiple-choice questions and four multi-part free-response questions that reflect the format and rigor of the AP exam. Additional learning resources are provided in the course's accompanying study guide and companion website. About BFW* BFW believes that what happens in the classroom matters, and that a good class, a good teacher, and good content have the power to change the world-one student and one idea at a time. BFW products have long been best-sellers for AP courses. Now, in response to the needs of teachers across the country, BFW offers materials for Common Core, elective courses, and on-level programs aligned to NGSS. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from BFW .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

This post is the second in the series, “Three Critical Trends in Instructional Materials.” An increasing number of districts are forgoing comprehensive textbooks in favor of building their own resources. In fact, a California superintendent told us that he had put aside $7 million to pay his teachers to develop their own materials. Administrators in favor of building their own resources say the exercise will engender greater buy-in among teachers and produce better resources for students.  Others question whether the skills that make a person a great teacher are the same skills necessary to design instructional materials. As one person suggested, “I’m a good driver, but I couldn’t build a car.” Having reviewed almost 2500 resources, Learning List staff have seen and learned much about instructional materials. If your district is considering or developing instructional resources, we share the following observations to help inform your methodology: Focus – Materials should focus on the major work of the grade.  Distracting content should be limited and the materials should include multiple citations (e.g., pages, lessons, videos) aligned to each priority standard. For example, if you’re in a Common Core state, do you have multiple citations for teachers to use to teach each Major, Supporting, and Additional standard or each of the Critical Areas of Focus? If you are in Texas, do you have at least a few citations addressing each Readiness, Supporting and Process standard? Coherence – Citations should build and reinforce (within and across grades and subjects) a deeper understanding of concepts and skills articulated in the standards and their application in the real world. Does your material contain real world examples and activities to engage your students and show the relevance of the content and skills they are learning? Rigor – The citations should be grade-level appropriate and rigorous , as opposed to difficult. Horizontal and Vertical Alignment - Citations should be verified to be aligned to the standards. Alignment is a unique skill set.  Very accomplished teachers are not necessarily adept at doing alignment work.  Moreover, alignment is an inherently subjective endeavor. In order to ensure that the material your district is developing is aligned to the standards: (1) have at least two teachers, who are good at aligning material to standards, review the alignment of each citation incorporated in the material, and (2) have a method of reconciling differences of opinion among those teachers. Adaptions/Instructional Resources – The material your teachers develop must be “accessible” to all students and teachers.  Consider whether/how the material will help teachers differentiate instruction for students with differing abilities. Consider also whether all teachers have the skills and knowledge to use the materials you are creating effectively.  For example, will professional development be necessary? Does the material have content supports and notes to help all teachers present the content in a similar way? Maintenance –Teachers will quickly get frustrated if links in the material do not work and will lose faith in the material. It is imperative to the success of your Build Your Own initiative to have a regular maintenance schedule to ensure that the embedded links are working. Building your own materials will be a time consuming and painstaking process. But, if done well, it is likely to produce resources that your teachers will use and that will prepare your students with the knowledge and skills the standards require them to learn.  Hopefully, the observations provided above will help you build an efficient and effective "Build Your Own" methodology.

Learning List has reviewed  Trunity Integrated Concepts in Biology (ICB). ICB is a comprehensive product that supports instruction in Advanced Placement (AP) Biology courses. Content is available in digital format. Instruction is organized around ICB’s “5 Big Ideas” of biology: information, evolution, cells, emergent properties, and homeostasis. Each Big Idea is examined across a 5-level “Hierarchy”: molecules, cells, organisms, populations, and ecological systems. Each chapter begins with a short overview of content, a table that locates content in terms of the biology Big Ideas and Hierarchy, a list of learning objectives, and questions that frame the titles for each chapter section (e.g., “What is the difference between stem cells and cancer cells?”). Chapter sections begin with a set of statements that summarize the (1) context (e.g., “Populations of cells perform different tasks within multicellular organisms.”), (2) major themes (e.g., “Cell structure relates to function…”), and (3) “Bottom line” (e.g., “Multicellular organisms contain various systems, each with populations of cells that perform specific functions.”) of what students will learn. Most chapters include one or more Bio-Math Explorations (BMEs) and Ethical, Legal, Social Implications (ELSIs) features. BMEs develop quantitative reasoning, modeling, and data analysis skills in the context of biology. ELSIs are case studies and articles that ask students to consider the real-world ethical, legal, and social implications of biology. For example, a chapter titled “Evolutionary History” includes an ELSI addressing “Eugenics Yesterday and Today.” About Trunity* The Trunity eLearning Platform, using cloud-based technology, seamlessly integrates content creation, digital textbooks, and courseware solutions. The award-winning textbook content featured on the platform is delivered in a single, robust, interactive digital learning environment, simplifying access, course creation, and delivery. For students, the textbooks featured on the Trunity eLearning Platform create a captivating educational experience, incorporating dynamic and interactive rich media content within a social and collaborative learning environment. The powerful learning platform allows teachers to quickly and easily customize premium Trunity course content, organize course flow, and manage the course learning environment. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Trunity * Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

Today, the Texas State Board of Education adopted materials for CTE Courses.  Other than the materials submitted by Red & Black, the materials on this list were adopted. Learning List has reviewed materials for  80 CTE courses including : the courses within each strand that have the  largest statewide enrollment ; the courses for which publishers have submitted the highest number of products for state adoption; and the 17 CTE courses which are eligible for math or science credit . Having reviewed many CTE materials, we provide these observations which we hope will be useful during your local selection process: Very few products we reviewed are specific to Texas or include direct references to the TEKS in teacher and/or student materials. Even some products that include Texas in their titles (e.g., Pearson’s “Texas Manufacturing Welding”) do not include references to the TEKS. This is likely due to the fact that many CTE products, while suitable for high school instruction, are designed to meet the needs of community college students and students in career and technical schools. However, some products contain supplemental resources, such as lesson plans and correlation documents, to help Texas teachers plan TEKS-aligned instruction. Similarly, CTE products designed for post-secondary learning environments tend to have fewer supports for struggling readers, such as active reading strategies, checks for understanding, and margin notes with study tips and learning strategies, which may create challenges for their use in high school classrooms. Nearly all of the products we reviewed addressed employment skills to some degree. Products include profiles of careers related to content, portfolio building activities, and lessons addressing job searches and skills for success in the workplace (e.g., collaboration, communication). Some products are state-adopted for multiple For example, Cengage Learning’s “Personal Financial Literacy” and Goodheart-Willcox’s “Foundations of Financial Literacy” are state-adopted for both Money Matters (Subchapter F: Finance) and Dollars and Sense (Subchapter J: Human Services). There is considerable overlap in content for some publishers’ submissions. For example, CEV Multimedia’s products are state-adopted for a wide range of CTE courses. CEV provides module-based online instruction, and in many cases, the same modules appear in multiple courses. For example, each of the modules that make up CEV’s “Medical Terminology” also appear in CEV’s “Principles of Health Science” (Subchapter H: Health Science). In such cases, districts will want to be careful not to pay twice for the very same content. Generally speaking, we saw few supports for English language learners across CTE products. And, when we did see supports, they were minimal such as a Spanish language glossary. For each state-adopted material in the courses listed above, Learning List has developed a Spec Sheet and Editorial Review to accompany the state’s alignment report. Here is a comparative summary of our reviews of the Money Matters  and  Anatomy and Physiology  materials.  Subscribers may also request reviews of off-list materials for those courses.   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.