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Are your Pre-K teachers looking for an inquiry-based program? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Robert-Leslie’s The InvestiGator Club Prekindergarten Learning System. Robert-Leslie’s The InvestiGator Club Prekindergarten Learning System is a comprehensive program for Prekindergarten. The program focuses on purposeful inquiry to help children learn about the world. The curriculum emphasizes literacy, math, and science. Inquiry-based experiences enable the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and real-world connections. The material also provides numerous resources to support emergent literacy. Units are based around investigations. Investigations are designed to enable students to explore a topic through questions and hand-on experimentation. Learning experiences are developmentally appropriate. Further, the design of each investigation is flexible, enabling teachers to make decisions to meet the needs of students. Adaptions to support the learning needs of all students are included at point of use throughout the material, and the material is available in English and Spanish. The English and Spanish versions mirror each other, enabling equivalent instruction in both languages. Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about how the material supports critical thinking and curiosity through inquiry and investigation.  In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About Robert-Leslie* Robert-Leslie’s mission is to “create and produce remarkable early childhood and family engagement products to ignite curiosity-based exploration and joyful learning for all young children.” They hope for children to achieve “their own kind of happiness, success, and contributions to the world.” The products build on the natural curiosity that children possess. They encourage purposeful inquiry and encourage children to explore the world in which they live. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Robert-Leslie.

Are your teachers excited about purchasing a new prekindergarten system?  Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Children’s Literacy Initiative’s Blueprint for Early Learning. Children’s Literacy Initiative’s Blueprint for Early Learning is a comprehensive program for prekindergarten that helps teacher plan engaging, intentional, responsive instruction. The product is comprised of digital teacher and classroom materials, most of which are printable in PDF format.   The program supports connections to the real-world through theme-based unit projects and provides a “spotlight” on social and emotional learning in each unit. Adaptions for special populations are limited and primarily consist of general instructional suggestions. Materials are provided in English only. Resources for teachers include detailed daily lesson plans with a heavily scripted instructional narrative and numerous additional supports in the form of instructional suggestions and detailed explanations of activities. Student resources include digital and printable materials, but the program does not include manipulatives, center materials, or consumable supplies. Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about how the material addresses and assesses students’ learning needs. In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About Children’s Literacy Initiative* Children’s Literacy Initiative is a non-profit “working with pre-k through 5 th grade teachers to improve early literacy instruction so that children become powerful readers, writers, and thinkers.” CLI’s goal is to “close the literacy achievement gap between disadvantaged children and their more affluent peers.” *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Children’s Literacy Initiative .

Is your district looking for a prekindergarten curriculum that provides flexibility for teachers? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Children’s Learning Institute’s CIRCLE Pre-K Curriculum. Children’s Learning Institute’s CIRCLE Pre-K Curriculum is a comprehensive program for Prekindergarten. The program uses a balance of play and purposeful learning experiences to support cognitive and social and emotional development. CIRCLE balances teacher-and student-directed learning to address the ten domains of the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines.   The thematically designed curriculum includes a comprehensive, scripted instructional narrative along with a flexibly designed scope and sequence. This combination affords teachers support and guidance, while enabling them to meet students’ learning needs by making choices about the sequence of concepts. The material includes suggested lists of selections of children’s literature within each theme, but lessons are not dependent on specific texts. The material also includes multiple, related teacher resources that may require teachers to have additional preparation and planning time. Instructional materials such as big books, trade books, charts, posters, and manipulatives are not included. Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about the structure and components of the program, as well as how the program addresses the individual learning needs of students. In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About Children’s Learning Institute* Children’s Learning Institute develops learning solutions that are based on data and studies from psychology, neurodevelopment, education and child development. Their mission is to “advance learning and health outcomes for all children through public and private partnerships in research, resource development, clinical programs, and service delivery.” *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Children’s Learning Institute .

Is your district preparing for selection of PreK materials for Proclamation 2021? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Learning Without Tears’ Get Set for School. Learning Without Tears’ Get Set for School is a comprehensive program for Prekindergarten. The program provides a scaffolded approach to instruction through purposeful play, engagement, and the use of specific, program-designed materials. The materials are a combination of print and digital resources. Digital resources are available through the Pre-K Interactive Teaching Tool™. The material emphasizes the development of foundational skills. Therefore, even though the material is organized by theme, foundational skills, rather than themes, drive the instructional narrative. The program includes student activity books to support foundational skill development and self-knowledge. Suggestions for supporting differentiated instruction are included with each lesson. These suggestions are specific to the lesson and instructional need. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. The resources are sufficient to support bilingualism. Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about the rigor and complexity of the material, as well as the degree to which the material supports English Learners. In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About Learning Without Tears* Learning Without Tears’ mission is “to make learning and teaching easy and fun by providing superior educational product, professional development, and materials to educators and families.” The company values passion, innovation, simplicity, excellence, collaboration, and evolution. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Learning Without Tears .

Learning List recently completed reviews of all materials submitted for state adoption under  Proclamation 2021  for Prekindergarten. We reviewed materials from fourteen publishers, ten of which provided both an English and a Spanish version for consideration. As you prepare to start reviewing these programs, below are six trends Learning List's reviewers noted across the Pre-K materials: Most of the materials have designed the core instruction using a  thematic approach.  The strongest materials reflect an intentional integration of themes across the majority of lessons. To varying degrees, the materials are  developmentally appropriate.  The strongest materials support developmentally appropriate practices, as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Educators should note that some materials include developmentally appropriate components or are designed based on developmental progressions for specific skills, but may not be fully developmentally appropriate. Of the ten products offered in Spanish, most, but not all, provide sufficient resources to  support bilingualism, dual language programs,  and/or  use of the home language as a foundation for English acquisition,  as required by the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines (TPGs). Some of the publishers have distinguished their materials by  capturing the TPGs' emphasis on educating the whole child  and  focusing on social and emotional learning (SEL).  The strongest of these materials consistently provide lessons focused on SEL. A few provide entire programs for this purpose. The majority of materials provide  a level of rigor appropriate for most students  by including questions and activities at all levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy or DOK; by providing a variety of opportunities for students to make connections to their lives and to the world; and, by empowering students to ask questions, solve problems, and take ownership of their learning. Most of the materials  provide assessments  in the form of observational checklists. Only a few provide formal, normed, standardized assessments, such as screeners or diagnostic assessments. Educators can expect to see these features in varying degrees in the materials submitted for state adoption. Learning List’s editorial reviews provide a qualitative analysis of each program’s strengths, instructional model, instructional content, rigor, ease of use, adaptions for student populations, and teacher resources. A technology review accompanies the editorial review to show with which devices and operating systems each material is compatible and provide other critical interoperability information. All of  Learning List’s reviews of the PreK materials submitted for state adoption will be published by the end of October. At their next meeting (November 17-20, 2020), the State Board of Education will take action regarding the adoption of materials submitted under Proclamation 2021. The  List of Instructional Materials adopted Under Proclamation 2021  will be posted on the TEA website by early December.

Is your district looking for a fully integrated prekindergarten system?  Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Kaplan’s Connect4Learning .  Kaplan’s Connect4Learning is a comprehensive program for Prekindergarten. The program provides an interdisciplinary approach, integrating literacy, mathematics, science, and social and emotional development. The curriculum is designed to support development of the whole child. Units integrate literacy, math, science, and social and emotional development around a theme.  This design enables students to make connections and develop critical thinking skills. Rigor is further increased through the inclusion of project-based learning activities in each unit. The material includes a comprehensive classroom library comprised of high-quality children’s literature, as well as in-depth teacher guidance about content, pedagogy, and child development. Materials are available in Spanish and English and provide equivalent instruction in both languages. Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about how the degree to which the material supports bilingualism. In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About Kaplan* Kaplan “strives to improve outcomes for all children.” The company values include the customer, accountability, teamwork, integrity, initiative, and advocacy. Kaplan focuses on providing quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood resources.  *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Kaplan .

Are your teachers looking for pre-k materials that address unique topics and investigations? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Teaching Strategies LLC’s The Creative Curriculum® for Texas. Teaching Strategies LLC’s The Creative Curriculum® for Texas is a comprehensive program for prekindergarten. The program provides learning experiences centered on topic-based investigations and focus questions. The curriculum is designed to support development of the whole child. The material is designed using investigations with topics, such as boxes and wheels. Designing instruction around investigations supports critical and creative thinking. The investigations help students form connections across content areas and key concepts. They also encourage students to ask and answer questions. Those connections and “Wow” experiences, such as field trips and community connections, contribute to the program’s rigor and relevance. Lessons and activities are developmentally appropriate. They support academic and language development the development of thinking and process skills, as well as social and emotional development. The program includes adaptions to support specific learning needs. The material is available in English and Spanish, which enables teachers to provide equivalent instruction in both languages. Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about the degree to which the assessments provided by the material match the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About Teaching Strategies, LLC* “For 40 years, Teaching Strategies has provided early childhood educators with innovative, research-proven, effective resources to help build a strong foundation.” Teaching Strategies has five core values: innovative, responsive, collaborative, respectful, and ethical. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Teaching Strategies .

Are your Prekindergarten teachers ready to adopt new materials during Texas Proclamation 2021? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Frog Street’s Pre-K 2020 Curriculum. Frog Street’s Pre-K 2020 is a comprehensive, dual language program for Prekindergarten. The program focuses on developing kindergarten readiness through positive learning environments, best-practice instruction, and supporting the needs of all students. Frog Street is designed to support instruction in the ten domains of the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. Frog Street consistently provides developmentally appropriate learning experiences. The materials include an abundance of student materials including a print and digital library, manipulatives, and instructional posters and cards.   Flexibility in unit design, numerous adaptions for special populations, and mirrored English and Spanish versions enable teachers to use the material to meet the needs of all students. Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about the ways in which the material supports social and emotional development as part of a comprehensive prekindergarten program. In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About Frog Street* Frog Street is a company built by early childhood educators. Their mission is to “help teachers and caregivers make the journey both joyful and purposeful.” The company is dedicated exclusively to the develop of materials for early childhood and the “development of early childhood minds.” Information in the section is provided by or adapted from Frog Street.

Are your prekindergarten teachers looking for materials that emphasize social and emotional development? Take a look at Learning List’s review of Scholastic’s PreK On My Way. Scholastic’s PreK On My Way is a comprehensive program for Prekindergarten. The program supports instruction in the ten domains of the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines with an emphasis on development of literacy, language, and math skills. The goal of the program is for students to “flourish as readers, writers, and explorers of the world.”   The program is designed with a focus on social and emotional development using Mind Builder activities. Mind Builder activities are grouped under the categories of emotional and social development, motivation and creativity, and executive function. The program’s thematic design supports critical thinking and the development of math, literacy, and language skills. The program provides a lightly scripted instruction narrative that affords teachers flexibility and provides support for teachers at all levels of experience. The material includes all required non-consumable materials, such as books and manipulatives. Numerous print and digital resources support family engagement. Adaptions for students with specific learning needs are provided throughout the material and include scaffolded instruction and materials in English and Spanish. Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about how the materials supports the learning needs of all students. In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About Scholastic* Since 1945 Scholastic has supported a love of reading. Scholastic “strives to present the clearest explanation of current events and encourage literary appreciation—enriching the lives of all children with the joy and power of reading.” Scholastic is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, connecting educators and families through accessibility, engagement, and expertise.  *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Scholastic Education .

Are your Prekindergarten teachers ready to adopt new materials during Texas Proclamation 2021? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of QuaverEd’s Pre-K Curriculum. QuaverEd’s Pre-K Curriculum is a comprehensive program for Prekindergarten. It intends to support instruction in the ten domains of the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines.  The product is comprised of digital teacher materials and the “All-in-One Classroom Set,” which is a set of tangible materials.  The theme-based material focuses on the integration of academic, social, and emotional learning. It is designed based on a consistent instructional routine and a full-day prekindergarten schedule. The program provides  developmentally appropriate learning experiences and includes projects that help students make real-world connections to learning. Supports for teachers include detailed daily lesson plans with instructional narrative, as well as comprehensive instructional guides for specific topics, such as Developing Math Skills and Classroom Learning Centers .  Read Learning List’s full editorial review to learn more about the student resources the materials provides, including supports the material provides for English Learners and students with specific learning needs. In addition to the editorial review, Learning List has completed a  review of the material’s technology compatibility.  To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information. About QuaverEd* QuaverEd’s mission is to “equip educators to engage today’s students in academic, social, and emotional learning.” QuaverEd believes “music is the key to unlocking student emotion and inspiring a lifelong love of learning.” The publisher provides materials to schools in all 50 states and 31 countries. Information in the section is provided by or adapted from QuaverEd.

In a recent article titled, “ Four Ways State Leaders Can Help Teachers Implement High Quality Curriculum ,” the author discusses how state policymakers can support the reopening of schools for a successful school year. She encourages policymakers to “Provide clear and simple guidance to ensure all content is standards-aligned and offer examples of what that may look like for in-person and virtual settings.”  As districts searched for new online materials to support at-home learning, technology compatibility may have driven their purchasing decisions. Now that they are having to use the materials, alignment should be an important consideration. Here are three reasons why understanding the standards alignment of materials being used for at-home learning is critical to students’ academic success. (1) Teachers will likely rely on their materials more heavily than they may have in the past to ensure that remote learners keep pace with students who are attending class in-person. If the materials are not well aligned to all of the grade level standards, remote students will develop learning gaps. (2) Few materials are aligned to a 100% of the grade level standards, and even fewer products align to each standard everywhere the publisher claims them to. In order to ensure that students are learning all of the knowledge and skills each standard requires, teachers should be aware of where the material covers each standard completely (i.e., is aligned to the standard) and where the material has gaps. (3) Whether to fill a material’s alignment gaps or to help them differentiate instruction for particular students, teachers will likely want to incorporate activities and quizzes from multiple materials in their lessons. To ensure that they are helping students learn all grade level standards, teachers need to know which standards each material is aligned to and whether, in the aggregate, the materials they are using align to all grade level standards.  Students cannot learn what they are not taught. As referenced in the recent article cited above, educators need to ensure that their materials are aligned to their state’s standards and they need to know what standards-aligned materials look like. Learning List ’s alignment reports list citations (i.e., lessons, activities, assessments, and other resources) in each material that multiple certified educators have verified to be aligned to the content, context, and cognitive demand of each standard. These verified citations not only guide teachers to the parts of each material to use to help students learn the standards, they also provide exemplars for what standards aligned instruction looks like. Contact us to learn more.

This article discusses “ Four Ways State Leaders Can Help Teachers Implement High-Quality Curriculum .” One of the author’s suggestions is that leaders provide time and space for educators to plan . One of the reasons educators need more planning time is that online preK-12 materials have become increasingly complex to use. Here’s why. Planning time to learn the product's organization and how to navigate to various types of content Learning List reviewers have reviewed thousands of PreK-12 instructional materials. Our team is adept at learning how to navigate through online materials. These days, reviewing online materials is taking longer because materials often consist of different components to remediate, enrich and extend students’ learning.  Sometimes, each component uses a different online platform; more commonly, the assessments component uses a different platform from the material’s instructional components.  Thus, merely learning how to navigate through online materials takes longer than it used to. Moreover, identifying and accessing content contained in different product components is time-consuming. We often find that each product component has its own table of contents, but products often lack a central, overarching table of contents. Consequently, educators have to open each component to find and access content relevant to the topic, theme, or standards addressed in the lesson they are planning. The lack of a digital table of contents makes planning with an online material time-consuming.  Planning time to accommodate slow product load times One of the biggest challenges we face when reviewing materials is slow load times. The online components contain so much information that the content is slow to load, especially if the user does not have optimal internet connectivity or does not use the devices, browsers, and operating systems for which the product was optimized. Moreover, products’ interfaces often appear differently on each device, browser, and operating system, magnifying the challenges of navigating through online materials. Planning time to customize the product's content Finally, educators are attracted to materials that allow them to reorganize or customize content. This feature helps them add content that their students will find engaging, developmentally appropriate, and/or culturally relevant. While the ability to “customize” content is a selling point with teachers, customization takes forethought and planning time. Over the last several years, philanthropy, research, and policy have focused on helping educators become better-informed consumers of instructional materials. Helping teachers select high-quality materials is just step one; helping them use the materials effectively is just as important.  Providing ongoing planning time for teachers is essential if our goal is to ensure that students benefit from the high-quality materials their districts purchase.