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Learning List is a national online library of professional reviews of K-12 instructional materials and online courses, which will launch in August 2013.  For each featured product, we provide an alignment to state standards , an editorial review highlighting the products unique features and key information that educators need to implement the product effectively, and subscriber ratings and reviews . Learning List is a service by and for educators. Our goal is to make the selection of instructional materials more efficient and effective. Why should every district have to review a textbook’s alignment to state standards? It’s far more efficient for Learning List to do it once and do it well. For which students and under what conditions is a particular product most effective? Learning List’s editorial review tells you so that you can find the best resources for your students.

One day I was walking through a prairie in Kenya accompanied by a guide and two friends from the U.S., when we suddenly came across five kids and an adult huddled under a tree.  As we approached, we saw that the adult was teaching the students math.  The teacher threw out a question and the kids feverishly calculated the answer in the dirt using sticks as pencils. A hand shot up and the student answered the question with delight. The teacher confirmed the answer and the other students reveled in their collective victory. It was pure magic- teaching and learning at its essence.  After almost 20 years in education law and policy, that day I re-committed myself to doing whatever I can to make sure that all students have what they need to experience the of learning, as these five kids had under a tree on a prairie in Kenya.

Curriculum Associates’ STAAR Ready Math. About Curriculum Associates* Curriculum Associates is a rapidly growing education company committed to making classrooms better places for teachers and students. We believe that all children have the chance to succeed, and our research-based, award-winning products, including i-Ready®, Ready®, BRIGANCE®, and other programs, provide teachers and administrators with flexible resources that deliver meaningful assessments and data-driven, differentiated instruction for children. Because we are independently owned and operated, we are able to provide the best prices so that every district, school, and educator can afford to bring top quality resources to their students. By maintaining our independence, we are able to channel our investments toward the things that really matter—like product development, research, and unmatched customer service. For the past 40 years, we have consistently developed high-quality products that make a profound difference in the lives of students and educators, and we will continue to bring these proven products—as well as new ones—to you in the future. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Curriculum Associates. Subscribe to Learning List for access to full editorial reviews, alignment reports and spec sheets.

Learning List has reviewed print materials for ­­Curriculum Associates’ Ready Florida English Language Arts program. Ready Florida is a supplemental resource for grades K-8 that supports reading instruction and mastery of the Language Arts Florida Standards (LAFS). Materials are available in print format with additional online components. Instruction addresses grade-level LAFS while developing students’ critical thinking skills and understanding of literary and informational texts. Ready Florida English Language Arts Student Instruction Books present content in units that address LAFS Anchor Standards (e.g., Craft and Structure in Literature). Units are made up of week-long lessons that focus on a particular theme (e.g., adventure) and genre (e.g., realistic fiction). Instruction is structured using the Gradual Release of Responsibility (i.e., GRR) instructional model. The first day of each lesson is an Introduction that provides a student-friendly explanation of what students will learn (i.e., the standard), reading strategies, and the steps to follow to implement strategies. Subsequent days provide Modeled and Guided Instruction , Guided Practice , and Independent Practice. Each day includes a writing activity. At each grade level, “Teacher Resource Books” contain materials to assist teachers in the transition to the LAFS and to use Ready Florida materials. Resource Books provide a crosswalk document that explains how the Ready Florida program addresses the demands of the LAFS, and a table detailing the research supporting Ready Florida language arts strategies (e.g., close reading, scaffolded instruction). A pair of tables (1) identify lesson activities and problems that require higher level thinking as measured by Webb’s Depth of Knowledge index, and (2) present a “Cognitive Rigor Matrix” that combines Webb’s and Bloom’s indicators of higher-level thinking and describes student behaviors that demonstrate higher-level thinking.  About Curriculum Associates* Curriculum Associates is a rapidly growing education company committed to making classrooms better places for teachers and students. We believe that all children have the chance to succeed, and our research-based, award-winning products, including i-Ready®, Ready®, BRIGANCE®, and other programs, provide teachers and administrators with flexible resources that deliver meaningful assessments and data-driven, differentiated instruction for children. Because we are independently owned and operated, we are able to provide the best prices so that every district, school, and educator can afford to bring top quality resources to their students. By maintaining our independence, we are able to channel our investments toward the things that really matter—like product development, research, and unmatched customer service. For the past 40 years, we have consistently developed high-quality products that make a profound difference in the lives of students and educators, and we will continue to bring these proven products—as well as new ones—to you in the future. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Curriculum Associates. Subscribe to Learning List for access to full editorial reviews, alignment reports and spec sheets.

Learning List recently reviewed Curriculum Associates’ STAAR Ready Reading, which is a supplemental resource to support reading instruction and preparation for STAAR testing in grades 1-8. Materials are available in print format and may be used to supplement a year-long core reading program, provide concentrated preparation for STAAR exams, and/or support Response to Intervention (RtI) programs. Instruction at grades 1 and 2 prepares students for the STAAR Reading test at grade 3. At each grade level, content is presented in short, scaffolded lessons that focus on one or more of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  Instruction addresses vocabulary skills (e.g., context clues), literary genres (e.g., poetry), literary elements (e.g., plot, character), and reading comprehension strategies (e.g., make predictions). Each lesson is built around reading passages and contain an introduction to the TEKS, modeled instruction, guided instruction, guided practice, and STAAR practice activities. Reading passages include a variety of genres and topics of interest to students (e.g., Science at the South Pole), and lessons provide opportunities for collaborative learning. Instruction also addresses strategies for taking multiple choice tests. Lesson introductions present the full text of the TEKS addressed by instruction. At grades 3-8, the table of contents in both student and teacher editions identifies the topic of instruction, the relevant TEKS codes for each lesson, and whether each TEKS is a Readiness or Supporting standard. “STAAR Ready Test Practice” books are available separately from the publisher (Learning List did not have access to these resources).  At grades 1-5 , STAAR Ready Reading is available in Spanish. About Curriculum Associates* Curriculum Associates is a rapidly growing education company committed to making classrooms better places for teachers and students. We believe that all children have the chance to succeed, and our research-based, award-winning products, including i-Ready®, Ready®, BRIGANCE®, and other programs, provide teachers and administrators with flexible resources that deliver meaningful assessments and data-driven, differentiated instruction for children. Because we are independently owned and operated, we are able to provide the best prices so that every district, school, and educator can afford to bring top quality resources to their students. By maintaining our independence, we are able to channel our investments toward the things that really matter—like product development, research, and unmatched customer service. For the past 40 years, we have consistently developed high-quality products that make a profound difference in the lives of students and educators, and we will continue to bring these proven products—as well as new ones—to you in the future. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Curriculum Associates. Subscribe to Learning List for access to full editorial reviews, alignment reports and spec sheets.

Learning List has reviewed Curriculum Associates’ Ready Florida MAFS, a supplemental resource for grades K-8 that supports math instruction and mastery of the Mathematics Florida Standards (MAFS). Materials are available in print format with additional online components. Learning List’s review is of print materials only. Across grades, instruction addresses grade-specific MAFS while developing students’ understanding of key concepts and their ability to apply concepts to solve real-world problems. Ready Florida MAFS Student Instruction Books structure instruction at each grade in units organized by the MAFS Domains (e.g., Measurement and Data). Units open with a short feature that describes what students will learn and the real-world applications of content. Instruction is presented in short, scaffolded lessons that focus on one or more MAFS, and the Mathematical Practice Standards (MPS) are integrated throughout instruction Lessons include an Introduction that frames new content in terms of a “big idea” question, Modeled and Guided Instruction, Guided Practice, and MAFS Practice problems. Across lesson sections, illustrated characters, or “Study Buddies,” appear in the margins to pose questions and provide tips to guide students’ thinking. Instruction emphasizes how the skills students are learning build across grade levels. Across grades, the table of contents in both teacher and student editions reference the MAFS, including the Major Emphasis and Supporting and Additional Areas of Emphasis, addressed by each lesson. The table of contents in Teacher Resource Books also references the MPS embedded in instruction. About Curriculum Associates* Curriculum Associates is a rapidly growing education company committed to making classrooms better places for teachers and students. We believe that all children have the chance to succeed, and our research-based, award-winning products, including i-Ready®, Ready®, BRIGANCE®, and other programs, provide teachers and administrators with flexible resources that deliver meaningful assessments and data-driven, differentiated instruction for children. Because we are independently owned and operated, we are able to provide the best prices so that every district, school, and educator can afford to bring top quality resources to their students. By maintaining our independence, we are able to channel our investments toward the things that really matter—like product development, research, and unmatched customer service. For the past 40 years, we have consistently developed high-quality products that make a profound difference in the lives of students and educators, and we will continue to bring these proven products—as well as new ones—to you in the future. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Curriculum Associates. Subscribe to Learning List for access to full editorial reviews, alignment reports and spec sheets.

Teachers’ Curriculum Institute’s ( TCI ) provides comprehensive and supplemental resources to support social studies instruction in  elementary  schools* and high schools . Instruction is discovery-based and includes hands-on activities and frequent opportunities for students to work with peers. Course resources are designed for use with interactive whiteboards and include some print materials. Learning List has recently completed reviews of this social studies series. Primary instruction combines three resources: (1) an editable, interactive whiteboard- compatible presentation (2) the student text, and (3) the “Interactive Student Notebook.” Presentations contain step-by-step guidance for each activity, vivid illustrations, and references to the accompanying resources in the student text and Interactive Student Notebook. Each presentation begins with an essential question followed by a “Preview” activity that introduces new vocabulary, links to what students already know, and frames new content. Subsequent slides structure discovery-based activities. Activities incorporate some direct instruction, but most learning takes place in hands-on experiences. Presentation slides pose questions and students use their texts and Interactive Student Notebooks to discover answers. Some lessons include “Experiential Activities” that relate historical events to students’ experiences in order to deepen their understanding of key concepts. Instructional materials include the “Reading Challenge” game and “Glossary Cards.” The Reading Challenge checks for students’ understanding through multiple choice questions presented in a game format. The game provides multiple opportunities to answer correctly and provides corrective feedback. Glossary Cards are interactive tools to support vocabulary development. Each card provides a term or word on one side and flips to reveal the definition. Other resources include a glossary, biographies of key figures, and access to a variety of maps (e.g., political, physical). For a Free Trial for any of these programs, please click here . <* note there is no 4th grade texas-based (teks) product from tci.>

Agile Mind is a comprehensive, online program to support mathematics instruction in middle school and high school.  Agile Mind resources are designed to support teacher-led instruction and include interactive animations, simulations, and collaborative learning experiences to engage students with mathematics concepts. Agile Mind resources are aligned to the Common Core State Standards and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills . Instruction is organized in three-part lessons: Overview activities spark students’ interest using animations and visualizations to introduce new concepts. Exploring activities provide core instruction in the context of real-world problems. Interactive simulations allow students to manipulate variables, make predictions, and analyze data. Instruction incorporates multiple representations of math concepts (e.g., words, tables, graphs, and equations) and provides opportunities for students to communicate their thinking in written and spoken formats. Summary sections review and reinforce key concepts and vocabulary . Agile Mind resources include Bloom’s and Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) questioning taxonomies and Mathematics Assessment Resource Service (MARS) problem sets that are aligned to national and international standards. An Algebra I teacher from Lyford High School in Texas commented: “Even though I didn’t think I had time to implement another new program at our school, I found out that having students work on Agile Mind to explore a new topic before I taught the lesson actually saved me time in the long run!” Agile Mind provides extensive instructional support for teachers, including topic-specific support for planning and implementing lessons and downloadable student work sheets to support note-taking and lab-based activities. The program’s browser-based learning management system (LMS) is easy to use and includes tools that allow teachers to plan instruction; manage assignments, quizzes, and assessments; and communicate with students. The teacher dashboard is formatted as an interactive calendar that includes an “at-a-glance” feature that allows users to track individual student and class progress on assignments. LMS resources include comprehensive guidance in using online tools and professional development and support for instruction in print and video formats. About Agile Mind: With over 2.3 million students served in 27 states, Agile Mind was founded in 2002 to enhance one thing: the opportunity to learn. The team focuses on equity and high achievement in mathematics and science because of its importance to both the lives of students and to the future of our nation. Agile Mind’s mission—and promise—is to provide the programs, tools, and the instructional improvement systems educators need to transform student achievement through exemplary, sustainable teaching practices. Click here to learn more about Agile Mind courses and programs.

Learning List has reviewed Agile Mind’s resources for single-variable Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB courses.  Materials are comprehensive and available online with some printable content. Instruction addresses communication and reasoning skills and the application of mathematics to real-world situations. Instruction is organized in 36 “Topics” that address AP Calculus AB content. Each Topic structures a three-part lesson that includes (1) Overview , (2) Exploring , (3) Summary sections. Overview sections engage students using animations and visualizations to introduce new concepts and link content to students’ prior learning. Exploring sections provide core instruction in the context of real-world problems. Summary sections review and reinforce key concepts and vocabulary . Topics also include (4) Assessment and (5) Testing sections that support formative and summative assessment. The course incorporates multiple representations of math concepts (e.g., words, tables, graphs, and equations) and develops students’ ability to communicate their thinking in written and spoken formats. Instruction includes animations that engage students using real-world scenarios and problems (e.g., graphing the arc of a snowboarder’s jump). Animations are accompanied by rigorous, open-ended questions that encourage students to think critically and apply their learning. The course also includes two versions of an AP Calculus AB practice exam.  Practice exams are formatted to reflect the rigor, content, and time and technology allocations of the AP exam. Practice exams must be printed for paper and pencil administration and include complete solutions. Agile Mind has created a webinar introduction to Resources for Calculus. Subscribers may view the webinar on the product’s homepage on Learninglist.com . About Agile Mind* Agile Mind was founded to enhance one thing: the opportunity to learn. We focus on equity and high achievement in mathematics and science because of its importance to both the lives of students and to the future of our nation. For students, we have created powerful programs, tools, and strategies that help them excel in the courses that are crucial for admission to America’s leading colleges and universities. We have used the Internet to deliver these tools and services at a fraction of their historical costs. Further leveraging this infrastructure, we deliver high-quality services that schools and districts find increasingly essential to meet the high expectations of our nation, our states, and our communities.. Agile Mind is built on a combination of high-tech and high-touch strategies. In addition to Internet-delivered services, educators and administrators also receive face-to-face seminars, mentoring, and a rich array of  resources to manage their demanding workloads, expand their expertise, and dramatically improve outcomes for their students. But the success of our tools and our services is measured in the faces, in the motivation, and in the achievement of your students—all of your students. Our only success is theirs and yours. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Agile Mind . Subscribe to Learning List for access to full editorial reviews, alignment reports and spec sheets.