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Learning List recently reviewed Istation , which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response to the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) and Spanish language arts (SLAR) products aligned to the new ELAR and SLAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Istation is a supplemental reading and writing program for grades PK-8. Content is available in English and Spanish. Instruction is presented digitally and includes printable resources. The adaptive program identifies and addresses gaps in student learning and supports intervention at each Response to Intervention (RtI) tier. Across grades, the program develops vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and word analysis skills. Istation provides personalized, adaptive instruction in specific reading skills. Students complete the “Istation Indicator of Progress” (ISIP) at the beginning of the year and each month thereafter. Animated characters provide directions for ISIP tasks and examples of how to enter responses. ISIP is available in English and Spanish.  Based on ISIP results, the program prescribes specific learning activities and the usage time needed to address individual student learning gaps. As students move along individualized learning paths, instruction adapts, providing more or less challenging content based on student progress. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Most instruction is presented by animated characters in an engaging, game-like format that includes direct instruction and guided and independent practice.  Animated teachers review prior learning and connect content to students’ lives. Instruction is organized in sections addressing Reading Comprehension, Word Skills, Comprehension Practice, Sentence Building, and Writing Skills. Reading instruction integrates content from the physical, life, and earth and space sciences and emphasizes strategies, such as CAPS: C larify, Connect; A sk Questions; P redict, Picture It; S ummarize. About Istation* Founded in 1998 and based in Dallas, Texas, Istation (Imagination Station) has become one of the nation’s leading providers of richly animated, game-like educational technology. The winner of several national educational technology awards, the Istation program puts more instructional time in the classroom through small-group and collaborative instruction. Istation’s innovative reading, math, and Spanish programs immerse students in an engaging and interactive environment and inspire them to learn. Additionally, administrators and educators can use Istation to easily track the progress of their students, schools, and classrooms. Istation now serves over 4 million students throughout the United States and several countries. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Istation .

Learning List recently reviewed StrongMind , which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response to the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). StrongMind provides online “courseware” that supports instruction in the core subject areas and some electives (e.g., art history, career and technology courses) in middle school and high school grades. Instruction is designed for self-paced and credit-recovery programs and blended learning environments. Learning List reviewed English language arts resources for Texas middle school students. At each grade level, StrongMind’s Texas middle school content is organized in two semester-long courses.  Each semester is made up of six units that are loosely organized around a theme. For example, a grade 7 unit titled “Putting It In Order” includes lessons addressing informational texts, such as chapters from Helen Keller’s “The Story of My Life,” and writing an informational essay. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Instruction includes a variety of authentic texts that address a range of genres and vary in length. Generally speaking, StrongMind’s texts are not selected to address cross-curricular themes or themes that incorporate diverse individuals and cultures. Instead, reading selections are representative of age-appropriate classic works, such as Robert Frost’s poems and Jack London’s autobiographical work “On the Road.” Some units include a digital literacy component that addresses topics such as online safety. About StrongMind* StrongMind’s mission is to empower educators and schools across America to democratize education, enabling students to learn through relevant and engaging digital experiences that unlock the magic of learning and drive improved academic outcomes. StrongMind believes every child deserves a great education. StrongMind continually pushes the boundaries in curriculum and technology to enable schools around the country to provide a top-quality education for as many students as possible. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from StrongMind .

Learning List recently reviewed ThinkCERCA , which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response to the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). ThinkCERCA is an online learning platform that helps students in grades 3-12 develop literacy and critical thinking skills across the core subject areas. Instruction focuses on developing close reading and academic writing skills. ThinkCERCA’s Texas Edition addresses the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English language arts/reading (ELAR) and supports instruction in blended learning environments. Learning List reviewed materials for grades 6-8. ThinkCERCA focuses on developing students’ ability to read texts and produce written responses using the CERCA framework: (1) make C laims, (2) support claims with textual E vidence, (3) explain their R easoning, (4) recognize C ounterarguments, and (5) use language that appeals to a particular A udience. Core instruction is presented in modular “CERCA Sets” that cover content from across the core subject areas (i.e., English/language arts, science, mathematics, and social studies). Many CERCA Sets are not grade specific. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Instruction addresses specific topics (e.g., Genetics) and related essential questions (e.g., “How do your genes contribute to who you are?”). CERCA Sets are organized in a consistent structure that includes Direct Instruction , Applied Lessons , and Additional Reading Practice lessons. Reading selections are drawn from a variety of engaging informational and literary texts and include visual elements, such as photographs and illustrations, to support understanding. About ThinkCERCA* ThinkCERCA's personalized literacy platform helps educators teach critical thinking skills through argumentative writing. With students and teachers using its platform in all 50 states and 130 countries, the company has partnered with prominent leaders in education, including Follett Corporation, and has been featured by The Atlantic and EdSurge. In a recent controlled study of 26 ed-tech tools by LEAP Innovations, ThinkCERCA was proven to help students achieve two years of academic growth per year on average. A 2016 SIAA CODiE Awards finalist in the Best Learning Capacity-Building Solution and Best Reading/English/Language Arts Instructional Solution categories, ThinkCERCA has also been named one of the best tools in ed tech by Common Sense's Graphite. In July 2013, ThinkCERCA was the recipient of a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Literacy Courseware Challenge grant, and in December 2012, graduated from the inaugural class of Impact Engine's social impact accelerator. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from ThinkCERCA .

Learning List recently reviewed The Center for the Collaborative Classroom ’s Collaborative Literacy , which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response to the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Collaborative Literacy is a comprehensive reading/language arts product for grades K-5. Resources are available in print and online formats. Instruction emphasizes the social development of upper-elementary students while building reading, writing, and spelling skills. At each grade level, Collaborative Literacy is made up of three separate resources that, when used together, support 30 weeks of comprehensive instruction in reading and language arts. Each resource is discussed separately below. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Being a Reader (grades K-2) develops students’ early literacy skills and ability to work independently. Lessons support build reading comprehension, phonics, and decoding skills, as well as students’ ability to recognize high frequency words. Making Meaning (grades K-5) develops students’ reading comprehension and vocabulary skills through read-alouds, discussions, and collaborative learning experiences. Read-alouds include a balance of literary and informational texts and provide students with opportunities to listen to, read, and discuss a variety of genres, such as poems, plays, stories, articles, and narrative non-fiction. Being a Writer (grades K-5) strives to develop skillful and creative writers using the “6+1 Trait Writing Model” that emphasizes seven traits of quality writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Across grades, students learn to communicate their ideas logically and with creativity and expression. Guided Spelling (grades 3-5) develops “thoughtful spellers” who recognize patterns, can spell by segment and sound, and understand and can apply spelling rules. About The Center for the Collaborative Classroom* The Center for the Collaborative Classroom, a nonprofit organization, improves the school experience of children across the globe by providing teachers with engaging curricula and ongoing professional learning that support the academic as well as the social and emotional development of the students we all serve.   Its mission is to provide a sustainable, scalable, and affordable way for schools and districts to grow research-supported teaching practices that support teachers with helping students grow as readers, writers, and thinkers as they develop the social and emotional skills necessary to thrive.   Founded in 1980 as the Developmental Studies Center by the prominent researcher Eric Schaps, the organization has contributed foundational research on social and emotional learning and pioneered the integration of social and academic development into curricula.   *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from The Center for the Collaborative Classroom .

Learning List recently reviewed McGraw Hill’s Texas StudySync, which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). StudySync is a comprehensive product that supports English language arts/reading (ELAR) instruction in grades 6-12. Content is available in print and digital formats and is intended for blended learning environments. Learning List reviewed online resources for grades 6-8. Instruction centers on the close reading of a set of thematically-related texts with integrated lessons in reading comprehension, writing, and speaking and listening skills. StudySync’s content is organized in six, 30-day thematic units at each grade level. Each unit focuses on an essential question and a genre. Most units address personal topics (e.g., “No Risk, No Reward”) and include content that relates to other subject areas, particularly social studies. Units integrate authentic literary and informational texts and culminate in an overarching project that requires students to respond to what they have read in either written or spoken format. Across middle school grades, texts vary in length and genre and address diverse individuals and cultures. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Videos are integral to StudySync’s instruction. Each unit opens with a video preview of reading selections and their relationship to the unit’s essential question. Lesson-specific video segments, known as “StudySyncTV” are integrated throughout content. Close reading instruction is carefully scaffolded, often beginning with “Skills” lessons that introduce the close reading strategies students will use for each text. Subsequent to the Skills lesson, students complete a “First Read” using the reading strategy to build comprehension. Second readings, or “Close Reads,” focus on analysis of elements of the text and on developing a formal written response. Skills lessons between the first and second readings, address the close reading, analysis, and writing skills students will need for the Close Read and the related written response (e.g., using figurative language, analyzing and using graphic features). About McGraw Hill* 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 .

Learning List recently reviewed Learning A-Z’s Raz-Plus ELL Edition , which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response to the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Raz-Plus ELL Edition is a supplemental program that supports reading instruction in grades K-5 with instructional materials designed specifically for English language learners (ELLs). Resources are available online and may be downloaded and printed and/or displayed using classroom projection devices. Instruction focuses on developing proficient readers using cross-curricular texts that match students’ individual reading levels. Raz-Plus content is organized in 29 reading levels (i.e., aa to Z 2 ) that gradually increase in difficulty. Levels are identified using Learning A- Z’s proprietary “Text Leveling System.” This system considers qualitative indicators (e.g., author’s purpose), quantitative measures (e.g., word count), and reader and task considerations (e.g., student interest and skill) to provide a rounded measure of text complexity. Learning A-Z provides a “Level Correlation Chart” aligning its complexity levels with other widely used measures (e.g., Lexiles, Fountas & Pinnell). Learning A-Z’s text complexity levels are not grade specific, levels; however, they may be matched to grade levels. For example, in terms of Lexiles, texts Q-Z 2 range from 651L to 1,140L and support instruction across grades 3-5.  < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Raz-Plus has a variety of tools to assess reading skills. Resources include running record forms, Benchmark Quick Checks, and materials to evaluate foundational skills, such as the ability to identify upper- and lower-case letters, recognize letter sounds and symbols, and read high frequency words. The program includes timed reading assessments of fluency and rubrics to evaluate comprehension. About Learning A-Z* Learning A-Z is a literacy-focused PreK-6 educational provider of technology-enabled learning resources. Our products blend traditional teacher-led instruction with robust online resources to make teaching more effective and efficient, practice more accessible and personalized, assessment more strategic and automated, and learning more informed and proactive. Our suite of products includes: Raz-Plus, Reading A-Z, Raz-Kids, Headsprout, Science A-Z, Writing A-Z, Vocabulary A-Z, and ReadyTest A-Z. Learning A-Z’s resources are used by more than 7 million students in more than 170 countries. Learning A-Z is a business unit of Cambium Learning Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABCD). *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Learning A-Z .

Learning List recently reviewed Perfection Learning’s Connections, which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Connections is a comprehensive product that supports ELAR instruction in grades 6-12. Content is available in print and digital formats. Learning List’s review is of resources for grades 6-8. At each middle school grade level, Connections is organized in four units that address cross-curricular themes and center on an Essential Question. For example, the fourth unit at grade 7 considers the following Essential Question: “What does history teach us about ourselves?” Units include literary and informational texts related to the theme. Lexile levels for each selection are provided in teacher editions.  < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Instruction focuses on a close reading model in which students read each text three times for different purposes. Students have opportunities to write in response to reading selections as well as to develop speaking and listening skills. Margin notes prompt students to make connections across subject areas and unit texts and to reflect on what they have read. Instruction emphasizes annotating skills and reading selections in the student work text and include space for notes. eBooks contain a “My Thoughts” feature that allows students to enter notes in the margins of their text and interactive tools, such as graphic organizers, to help students organize their thinking. About Perfection Learning* For over 90 years, Perfection Learning® has been a leader in literature and language arts programs for grades 6-12. These programs cover the complete range of language arts skills and course areas with both textbooks and supplemental programs. Innovative literature programs provide cost-effective solutions for teaching critical thinking skills and incorporating the demands of Common Core and state standards. K-8 reading/language arts solutions include hybrid print/digital handwriting and spelling programs, nonfiction reading, and intervention programs in reading and math. The company provides cutting-edge digital physics programs for high school and higher education. Designed for 21st century learners, Kinetic Physics incorporates video and electronic whiteboard lessons; interactive problems, activities, and digital tools; and a robust online assessment and course management system. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Perfection Learning .

Learning List recently reviewed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Reading Texas, which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Into Reading is a comprehensive product that supports ELAR instruction in grades K-6. Content is available in print and digital formats. Learning List reviewed online resources for grades K-5. Instruction develops students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills using authentic texts from a variety of genres. Across grades, Into Reading is organized in multi-week modules that provide access to a variety of authentic texts at varying levels of complexity. Modules are thematic and include cross-curricular topics, such as a “Global Guardians” module at grade 4 that integrates content from conservation science. Modules are organized around an essential question (e.g., “What does it take to meet a challenge?”). Reading selections include a variety of authentic, age-appropriate literary and informational texts related to the essential question. Selections include a variety of genres (e.g., historical fiction, narrative non-fiction) and representations of diverse cultures and characters. Each text has vivid illustrations that support comprehension and engage student interest. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Reading and writing instruction is presented in a workshop format that includes direct instruction, guided and independent practice, and application tasks. Activities include whole group and small group instruction, opportunities for collaborative student work, and periodic spiraled reviews that revisit previously learned concepts and their connection to current learning. Each week’s instruction includes a mindset (e.g., seeking challenges) that addresses social and emotional learning. 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.

Learning List recently reviewed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Literature Texas, which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Into Literature is a comprehensive product that supports ELAR instruction in grades 6-8. Content is available in print and digital formats. Learning List reviewed online resources. Instruction develops students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills using authentic texts from a variety of genres. At each grade level, Into Literature is presented in six units that center on an Essential Question that links reading selections, frames the unit’s theme, and connects to students’ experiences. For example, a grade 7 unit titled “Change Agents” considers the question: “What inspires you to make a difference?” Units address cross-curricular topics such as the Civil War in an eighth-grade unit titled “The Fight for Freedom” and space science in a sixth-grade unit titled “The Terror and Wonder of Space.” Units include literary and informational texts and a set of “Studios” (e.g., “Reading Studio”) that integrate activities in the domains of literacy (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking) as well as vocabulary and grammar.  < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Lessons are organized around age-appropriate authentic texts that support reading instruction and serve as mentor texts for student writing. Reading selections include a variety of genres (e.g., historical fiction, narrative non-fiction) and representations of diverse cultures and characters. Critical vocabulary is highlighted in the text and hyperlinked to definitions in eBooks. Texts include vivid visual elements, numbered paragraphs and stanzas, and embedded prompts that help students analyze and understand what they are reading, such as an “Analyze Point of View” prompt that asks students to consider whether a story’s narrator is reliable and to explain their reasoning. eBooks have note taking, bookmarking, and highlighting tools and a word processing feature that allow students to respond to prompts in their texts. Teachers may activate audio readers. 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.

W. W. Norton’s American Politics Today, 5 th AP Edition, is a comprehensive product that supports instruction in Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government and Politics courses. Content is available in print and digital formats. Instruction explores concepts and issues in government and politics through the lens of contemporary American events (e.g., the 2016 presidential campaign election). The discussion emphasizes the critical roles of conflict and compromise in American political life, and how individuals and choices shape political behavior and outcomes. Learning List recently reviewed digital resources. American Politics Today is organized in four parts: (1) Foundations, (2) Politics, (3) Institutions, and (4) Policy. Across parts, three “key ideas” anchor the text’s discussions: politics is conflictual, political processes matter, and politics is everywhere. Chapters include a set of features designed to engage student interest, connect content to their lives, and facilitate understanding of sometimes complex concepts. Some features include: < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> “How It Works: In Theory” presents a graphic that illustrates and explains a political concept, such as the system of checks and balances. A corresponding “How It Works: In Practice” describes and illustrates a real-world application of the theory. “What Do the Numbers Say?” presents real-world quantitative data for students to read, analyze, and interpret (e.g., longitudinal data on government spending and the federal debt). “Why Should I Care?” provides short explanations of events and decisions that clarify how politics influences students’ own lives and experiences. “Take a Stand” explores both sides of a political issue or policy question, such as whether the Constitution has a fixed meaning or whether it is a flexible document that should be interpreted in the context of the current time (i.e., the originalism vs. living document debate). Chapters end with a conclusion and a “Study Guide” feature. Study Guides restate the chapter’s learning goals, present a summary of key content, a list of highlighted vocabulary and terms, a set of multiple-choice check for understanding questions, and free-response questions. About W. W. Norton* Now, in its 90th year and with an annual list of 400 titles, W. W. Norton is a global company, its familiar seagull logo appearing on books in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Latin America. Though the Norton of today is international in scope, there is much about the company that would remain recognizable to its founders: the editorial quality of the books, the rigorously anti-corporate style, and above all the shared sense of purpose that flourishes when all employees have a stake in the success of their firm. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from W.W. Norton .

Learning List recently reviewed the College Board’s SpringBoard English Language Arts and Language Workshop middle school resources (i.e., grades 6-8) , which were submitted for state adoption in Texas in response the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Both resources focus on developing English language arts skills through active learning. At each grade level, instruction emphasizes the development of the knowledge and skills needed for rigorous coursework, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Core content is presented in SpringBoard’s English Language Arts resource. Content at each grade is organized in four thematic units. For example, at grade 6, reading selections address the theme of change. Students explore the concepts of change and growth in their own lives and in the lives of real and imagined characters. Each unit includes a balance of literary and informational texts and opportunities for students to respond to non-print texts, such as photographs and clips from audio recordings and films. For the most part, units incorporate reading selections that present the experiences of diverse individuals and cultures. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> SpringBoard includes a “Language Workshop” resource at each grade level. Language Workshops address reading and writing for specific purposes (e.g., reading and writing a myth, reading and writing an argumentative essay) as well as foundational skills (e.g., common prefixes and suffixes). At each grade level, two Workshops are provided for each English Language Arts unit, and Workshops reflect the related unit’s thematic emphasis. For example, the first unit in English Language Arts at grade 8 explores the challenges of heroism. Correspondingly, the Language Workshop’s first workshop is titled “Reading and Writing a Hero’s Journey Narrative.” About the College Board* The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from the College Board .

Texas A&M University Press’s Texas Aquatic Science is a comprehensive aquatic science product that supports science instruction in grades 6-8 and high school Aquatic Science and Environmental Science courses. The student text is available in print and online formats; teacher resources are in print format only. Instruction examines water from the molecular level to the level of aquatic ecosystems. Learning List reviewed materials for high school Aquatic Science courses. Texas Aquatic Science is a joint project involving the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, and The Hart Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. The course includes an online and print-based student text, and a Teacher Guide that is integral to instruction. The online student text and course-specific videos are available at no cost (http://texasaquaticscience.org/). < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Texas Aquatic Science’s core instructional activities are contained in its Teacher Guide, which provides chapter and lesson level resources, including assessments. For each lesson, the Guide provides the essential concept (e.g., “Water is important, is diversely distributed, and useable water is scarce.”), specific learning objective(s), and TEKS addressed by instruction. Lessons plans provide pacing information, the needed materials, vocabulary, and questions to support formative assessment of student learning. Lessons include engaging investigation(s), journaling assignments, research tasks, and collaborative learning experiences. For each activity, teachers have access to detailed descriptions of learning tasks; prompts for discussions, journal entries, and formal writing assignments; and suggestions for related readings and extension activities. About Texas A&M University Press* Founded in 1974, Texas A&M University Press is the principal publishing arm of one of this nation’s leading research institutions. The Press's primary mission is to select, produce, market, and disseminate scholarly publications of outstanding quality and originality and thereby help the University achieve its paramount purposes of teaching, research, public service, and dissemination of the results of scholarly inquiry. In conjunction with the long-term development of its editorial program, the Press draws on and supports the intellectual activities of the University and reflects the standards and stature of scholarship that are fostered by this institution. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Texas A&M University Press .