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Learning List recently reviewed ExploreLearning’s Gizmos. This supplemental, web-based product supports math and science instruction across grades 3-12. Instruction is inquiry-based. Gizmos are content-specific simulations and virtual manipulatives that provide students with dynamic, hands-on opportunities to explore math and science concepts in fun and meaningful ways. Across grades, Gizmos are housed in searchable libraries for math and science. Libraries are structured by grade band (e.g. 3-5) and topic. The math library is broadly organized in topics that include: numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Each topic includes sub-topics with one or more content-specific simulations (e.g., estimation using a number line). Each sub-topic Gizmo has a short overview of the simulation, learning objectives, a list of new vocabulary, and feedback from the Gizmos’ user community. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Each math Gizmo helps students make sense of concepts through visual representations of content. Interactive tools enable students to gather and analyze data, manipulate key variables, and use mathematical models to solve problems. Gizmos includes game-based activities that require students to reason quantitatively, critique their own reasoning, and that of their classmates. Simulations address many topics and skills that are relevant to both math and science (e.g., measurement, graphing). The overlap between Gizmos for math and science enable students to make connections between subject areas. Gizmos’ focus on solving real-world problems helps students to make connections to the world in which they live. Watch this brief video produced by ExploreLearning to learn more about Gizmos. About ExploreLearning* ExploreLearning® was founded in 1999 with a mission to improve student learning in math and science through best-in-class online solutions. Today, ExploreLearning’s award-winning products —  Gizmos®  and  Reflex®  — are successfully used in every state and province and more than 50 countries around the world. ExploreLearning is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is part of the  Cambium Learning Group®  — a leading educational solutions and services company committed to helping all students reach their full potential. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from ExploreLearning .

Educators and publishers often use the terms “standards,” “curriculum” and/or "instructional materials" interchangeably. Moreover, many educators consider their instructional materials to be their curriculum. However, each of these terms represents a distinct component of an educational program. In the sections that follow, we provide explanations of each of these terms to differentiate their meanings in the context of PreK-12 education. Standards set out what students are expected to know and be able to do at the end of each school year. Standards are generally established at the state level. In fact, ESSA requires that each state create learning standards for public schools in three subjects—English language arts/reading, mathematics, and science—and many states go beyond ESSA’s minimum to set standards in social studies, career and technical education, languages other than English, and other subjects. In contrast, the curriculum is developed at the district level, the product of local policy making. While the standards tell you what is expected, the curriculum provides the road map to get there. Often described in documents such as “scope and sequence” and “units of instruction,” a curriculum includes goals, instructional practices and pedagogical guidance, suggested resources and instructional materials, and methods of measuring student progress. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Instructional materials are publisher-created products designed to support and enhance a district's curriculum and support teaching of the state's standards. It is easy to see why the terms “instructional materials” and “curriculum” are used interchangeably: many instructional materials provide units of study, daily lesson plans, and assessments; and, many teachers rely so heavily on their instructional materials that the materials become the de facto curriculum. However, publishers design instructional materials to support educators across districts, even states. Thus, the units of study or pacing guide contained in an instructional material may not be consistent with the district’s curriculum and may not be well aligned to the applicable state's standards. For these reasons, instructional materials should be used to help teachers implement the district's curriculum and facilitate day-to-day instruction rather than as a curriculum. Working in concert, the district's curriculum and instructional materials help to ensure that students receive the instruction needed to master state standards and progress academically.

Learning List has reviewed GrapeSEED , which is a supplemental product that supports English for language learners as well as English language arts/reading (ELAR) instruction in grades K and 1. Content is in print form and available online including digital (i.e., DVD) resources. GrapeSEED is an oral language program that develops students’ speaking and listening skills while providing a foundation for literacy. Instruction strives to accelerate the development of language skills, reduce achievement gaps, and increase the confidence of emergent readers. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> GrapeSEED’s content is organized in ten sequential units that progressively increase in the complexity of vocabulary and skills taught. Unit 1 addresses concepts in counting and recognizing the alphabet, and the final unit covers shapes, telling time, and the months of the year. Across units, instruction includes a variety of materials for interactive language acquisition such as songs and chants, “Action Activities” (i.e., kinesthetic learning tasks), big books, and poems. Each material has associated resources that may include videos, audio recordings, and visuals suitable for display using interactive whiteboards. Writing instruction begins in Unit 3. Early writing activities focus on tracing letters and numbers and copying simple words, such as rabbit and rock. By Unit 10, students are writing words independently and copying short sentences. GrapeSEED provides “Repeated Exposure and Practice,” or “REP,” materials that students take home in print, CD, and DVD formats. REP materials enable students to practice language skills with their families. About GrapeSEED* The GrapeSEED program for children was born out of more than four decades of language teaching success by American educators at the MeySen Academy in Sendai, Japan. Continuing their track record of educational excellence internationally, GrapeSEED classrooms can currently be found in several states throughout the US. GrapeSEED continues to sponsor longitudinal studies focusing on English Language Learners (ELL) students, English as a Second Language (ESL) students, and other Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. These studies provide an unmistakable evidence that schools are seeing significant improvements in their grade level assessments as a result of successful implementation of the program. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from GrapeSEED . Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and alignment reports for these materials and thousands of other widely used PreK-12 resources.

Learning List has reviewed Blue Pelican Math’s Algebra I course. This comprehensive product supports teacher-led instruction and independent study for students in Algebra I. Content is available in print and online formats. Instruction emphasizes paper-and-pencil problem solving and includes web-based videos in which author Charles Cook explains concepts and demonstrates problem solving strategies.  < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Blue Pelican Algebra I content is presented in two semesters and organized in units and daily lessons. Daily lesson resources for each semester are provided in three versions: (1) teacher version, (2), absent-student version, and (3) regular student version. Each version begins with a detailed syllabus that lists the topic of each unit and lesson. The teacher version includes notes to support instruction and modeling solution strategies as well as answer keys. The absent student version includes the same teaching notes and solutions strategies as in the teacher version but does not include answer keys. The regular student version includes space for taking notes during teacher-led instruction and modeling. Lessons are designed to be completed in a single class period and include direct instruction and guided and independent practice. Each lesson includes a video in which author Charles Cook provides direct instruction and demonstrations of problem solving strategies. Videos may be integrated into daily instruction and/or used to guide teachers in planning their own instruction and modeling. Videos also support absent students, independent study, and review. About Blue Pelican Math* Charles Cook, author of the Blue Pelican Math curriculum, is a high school teacher with a proven track record of success in both the class room and publishing.  A passion for teaching advanced mathematics and a clear vision of both its content and presentation shapes Cook’s curriculum. A quick look at this curriculum reveals that it definitely was not created by a committee: it discards the traditional approach of bloated, politically correct textbooks and opts for day-by-day lessons that are actually ‘doable’ in a single day. Cook has carefully crafted lessons so as to cover all required topics in a single school year. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Blue Pelican Math . Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and alignment reports for these materials and thousands of other widely used PreK-12 resources.

Savvas’s enVisionmath2.0 Common Core is a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for grades K-8 that includes print and eBook resources with additional online content. Students learn through hands-on activities that focus on understanding, fluency, and flexibility with math concepts while developing problem-solving skills. Learning List recently reviewed eBook and online resources for grades K-5. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> enVisionmath2.0 is organized using the Understanding by Design (UbD) model that frames instruction in terms of “Big Ideas,” “Essential Understandings,” and “Essential Questions.” Content is presented in “Topics” (i.e., chapters) made up of sets of lessons that address a particular concept or skill. Each Topic includes at least one “Problem-Solving” lesson that focuses on a particular problem-solving strategy, such as drawing a picture or looking for a pattern. Teacher and student editions have a “Mathematical Practices Handbook” that provides an overview of the MPS and guidance in how to use them. MPS videos provide a student-friendly overview of the standard, questions to support students in using the practices (e.g., “How can I check to make sure my answer makes sense?”), and examples of the standards in use. Videos help teachers make connections between the MPSs and evaluate students’ ability to use them. At each grade level, enVisionmath2.0 provides a “Common Core Standards Practice Workbook” and the a “Math Diagnosis and Intervention System” (MDIS). Workbooks contain practice activities for each standard and end-of-year practice tests and performance tasks. MDIS includes a diagnostic test and intervention resources to support RtI, remediation, and summer school instruction. *About Savvas Savvas is the world’s learning company, with expertise in educational courseware and assessment, and a range of teaching and learning services powered by technology. Savvas’s mission is to help people make progress through access to better learning. We believe that learning opens up opportunities, creating fulfilling careers and better lives. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Savvas . Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and alignment reports for these materials and thousands of other widely used PreK-12 resources.

The effective implementation of a material is as critical to student success as the material's alignment to standards. Learning List’s editorial reviews empower districts with information they need to not only to select materials but also to implement materials more effectively. They provide a qualitative analysis of each material's instructional content and design. They point out the critical components of the product and the value each provides in the instructional process. They highlight the supports available for teachers and point out deficits in the material's offerings. For example, the editorial reviews explain whether teacher resources include background in content and pedagogy, provide pacing information and/or lesson plans, and offer guidance in differentiating instruction. They explain the professional development opportunities in the material and note when a product contains additional supports for novice teachers, such as comprehensive discussions of the required content knowledge and pedagogy, and detailed lesson plans to support instruction. Learning List's  alignment reports  guide educators in their selection and use of standards-aligned materials. Our editorial reviews help educators understand the intended use and instructional components of each product so they can implement the product effectively. Together, these reviews empower educators to choose and use materials to fuel their students' success. A recent example of implementation gone wrong ... and how reading our reviews could have lead to success!  An assistant superintendent of a subscribing district called to let us know that her high school math teachers believed that our reviews of a particular material were too generous to a publisher by failing to mention the material's lack of rigor. They felt the material did not provide practice exercises necessary to allow students to develop mathematical proficiency. Rigor is an attribute we review materials for both in our alignment methodology and in the editorial review. So, after the call, we reviewed our alignment reports and editorial reports for each applicable grade level. Our alignment reports revealed the following information about the material: The material was aligned to a high percentage of the relevant state standards, meaning that we found at least one aligned citation  for the majority of standards in each grade level. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> However, for several standards in each grade level, not all of the citations we reviewed were aligned, primarily because, as the Reviewer's Comments pointed out, the citations did not address the cognitive demand of the standard. Furthermore, other standards were found to be aligned only if several partially aligned citations are "bundled" (i.e., used together), as stated in the Reviewer's Comment. Since our alignment reports revealed that some, but not all, of the citations listed in the publisher's correlation were sufficiently rigorous to meet the cognitive demand of the standards, teachers would need to be circumspect about selecting citations to use in their lessons. Our alignment reports point out the aligned citations that teachers can use to teach each standard. In addition to the information contained in the Alignment Report, our editorial reviews point out that while core instruction was provided in the online student edition online, "practice" was addressed in consumable student workbooks which contain hands-on activities, and practice, application and challenge problems. Our reviewers found the practice opportunities in the workbooks sufficiently rigorous to build conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. In a follow up conversation with the assistent superintendent about the information available in our reviews, we learned that the while teachers had reviewed the online student edition,  they had not reviewed the accompanying workbooks.  We conjectured that perhaps her teachers concluded that the material was not sufficiently rigorous because they had not accessed the workbooks. In order for students to get the most benefit from any instructional material, all available resources must be used as intended for instruction. Learning List’s three professional reviews of each material assist educators in both selecting and implementing materials effectively.

American Reading Company’s (ARC) Core is a comprehensive, project-based reading, writing, and research program for students in grades K-12. Available in print and online formats, resourcesaddress the instructional shifts of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) (e.g., “Building knowledge through content-rich nonfiction”). Instruction is organized in a workshop structure that provides opportunities for whole class, small group, and one-on-one instruction. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grades K-5. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> ARC Core presents instruction in four units. Unit 1 is a Literacy Lab and Units 3-4 are thematic Research Labs. At the center of instruction is the “Independent Reading Level Assessment (IRLA)” and “Evaluación del nivel independiente de lectura (ENIL).” These formative assessments identify each student's current reading level in either English or Spanish and prescribe an individualized sequence of instruction to help each student master the standards. The ENIL is not simply a translation of the IRLA. Instead, it assesses students’ progress in the developmental sequence for reading acquisition in Spanish. ARC Core uses individual student IRLA/ENIL data to project each student’s reading growth at the end of the school year, as well as a summary of growth across each classroom. Administrators can use SchoolPace to assess growth across classrooms, grade levels, and campuses. A “Data Wall” report provides an easy-to-read comprehensive view of data at the grade and classroom levels. About American Reading Company* ARC’s mission is to ensure every student is reading on or above grade level. Built and run by education activists, American Reading Company is a trusted partner of 5,320 schools and 1,070 districts in 50 states. ARC’s team helps strengthen district and school capacity at every level by placing literacy and agency at the heart of school transformation, through: Expertly Curated Classroom Libraries Thematic Inquiry Core Curriculum K-12 Reading Instruction & Assessment Teacher and Leader Learning As a result, all students read, write, discuss, think, investigate, and solve problems at ever-increasing levels of proficiency. Their academic performance is accelerated and their life prospects are fundamentally improved. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from American Reading Company . Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and alignment reports for these materials and thousands of other widely used PreK-12 resources.

A recent report from Curriculum Associates discusses the Every Student Succeeds Act’s (ESSA) requirement that federal education funds be used for evidence-based programs, interventions, and products. “ESSA and Evidence Claims: A Practical Guide to Understanding What ‘Evidence-Based’ Really Means” provides a primer for educators in understanding the four levels of evidence recognized by ESSA (e.g., moderate evidence), the type of study that exemplifies each level (e.g., quasi-experimental), and the five questions educators should ask when evaluating research-based evidence (e.g., “When was the study conducted?”). One of five questions for evaluating evidence, in particular, caught Learning List’s attention: “Was the study based on current content and standards?” ESSA assumes that the evidence base for a product, program, or service is based on the state’s current standards, but it is possible that the research is grounded in prior state standards or another state’s standards, altogether. It is the district’s responsibility to vet information to ensure products purchased with federal funds and the evidence supporting the products’ effectiveness are based on the appropriate standards. A tall order but Learning List can help. Learning List’s alignment reports clarify which set of standards a product addresses, such as the Common Core State Standards or the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Our alignment reports evaluate the product’s alignment, determining whether the material fully addresses the content, context, and cognitive demand of each of the relevant standards. Thus, Learning List’s alignment reports provide strong evidence about whether a product is grounded in the relevant standards. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> In terms of establishing a product’s research base, Learning List invites publishers to submit a “Publisher Questionnaire” which contains a set of questions that commonly appear in district RFPs, including “Provide information about the research base supporting the product’s methods and effectiveness.” While not all publishers complete the Questionnaire, those who do generally provide an overview of the evidence supporting their product’s ability to improve student outcomes and provide links to the original research studies. Learning List does not verify the publisher’s research claims, but the Questionnaire helps educators find and evaluate the publisher's research base for themselves.

Solid instruction begins with an analysis of student data followed by the development of targeted learning objectives/goals and instructional practices aimed at achieving them. District curriculum documents identify high-level learning objectives. Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes (SLOs) are growth targets set by teachers to help them plan instruction and drive learning throughout the year. SLOs are guided by the district curriculum and based on student data. SLOs also provide schools and districts with a way to make best instructional practice a common expectation for all teachers. Here are four ways teachers can use their materials to achieve SLOs: (1) After the focus of an SLO has been identified, check for causal connections between students’ learning deficits and deficits in the alignment of the district/campus’ instructional materials you have been using. Verify the alignment of any citations (lessons, activities, quizzes) you are planning to use to the standards students are struggling with. Learning List's alignment report for each material identifies which citations listed in the publisher's correlation are aligned to each standard and which citations are not aligned. (2) Use your existing materials to scaffold instruction from prior grade levels to address learning gaps that have persisted over multiple grade levels. Learning List’s alignment comparison tool and alignment report for each grade level make it easy for teachers to identify citations in their existing materials that are aligned to the standards students are struggling with at any grade level.  < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> (3) If you have already used the content in your existing materials that is aligned to the standards students are struggling with, reusing the same content to reteach those standards is usually not an effective strategy. You will need to look for new materials or resources aligned to those standards. The Learning List will help you identify other materials available for the course you are teaching. Additionally, Learning List’s Fill-in–the-Gap(TM) tool and search-by-standard search filter make it easy to identify new materials, including free open educational resources that are aligned to specific standards. (4) Investigate whether your existing materials have the supports students need to learn the content and/or skills they are lacking. Consider also  whether the materials you intend to use are engaging and sufficiently rigorous to help your students achieve their learning objectives and whether the materials will help you measure their progress. Learning List’s editorial reviews identify the material’s instructional model, supports for special populations, resources for differentiating instruction, and progress monitoring tools.

Glynlyon’s Odysseyware provides comprehensive online products that support instruction across a range of content areas for students in grades 3-12. Odysseyware resources support instruction in self-paced and credit-recovery programs and blended learning environments. Content incorporates instructional videos, grade-appropriate texts, games, and interactive learning activities. Learning List recently reviewed Odysseyware middle school science and high school science courses for Texas. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Reviews include high school Biology , Physics , Chemistry , Integrated Physics and Chemistry , and middle school courses for grades 6-8. For each course, direct instruction is provided in short video lectures and an accompanying online text. In video lectures, teachers clarify new terminology and introduce new concepts and skills. The narrative is broken into manageable sections and contains graphics, illustrations, and images to support understanding. Embedded examples with solutions are provided. Margin notes provide hints and tips and connect content to students’ real-world experiences. Most units include experiments that may be completed either as online or as a hands-on activity with teacher supervision. Online experiments generally are presented using a video that asks students to record their observations and respond to written prompts. Guidance in conducting hands-on experiments is provided for teachers. Some units include projects that require students research and topics in biology (e.g., research the reasons muscles become sore after exercise). About Odysseyware* Odysseyware takes the question of where students can learn out of the equation. With its fully HTML5 course library, students can learn anywhere, anytime, on any device, via a powerful Learning Management System delivering hundreds of multimedia-based courses. Students have access to CTE, Advanced Placement®, core and elective options, all aligned to national and state standards. They also have access to powerful supports including translations in 23 languages, vocabulary and reference libraries, text-to-speech, and immediate coaching for writing skills via the Writer Tool. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Odysseyware . Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and alignment reports for these materials and thousands of other widely used PreK-12 resources.

Rally! Education’s STAAR Math Rehearsal PLUS and STAAR Reading Rehearsal PLUS are supplemental products that support preparation for Texas’ STAAR mathematics and reading testing in grades 3-8 (i.e., Levels C-H), respectively. Content is available in print and online formats. Learning List recently reviewed online resources in each content area. Resources at each grade level include two practice exams that reflect the grade’s STAAR mathematics and reading tests and tools to help teachers evaluate students’ mastery of the relevant Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> “STAAR Online Quick Start” shows students how to navigate Rally! Education’s content and use its tools. The Quick Start introduces each of the program’s navigation features (e.g., previous and next buttons) and accommodation tools (e.g., audio reader, adjustable font size). Online tools allow students to highlight information, flag questions, eliminate answer choices they think are incorrect, take notes, save and/or pause their work, change font size, and access Help features. For math tests, students have access to get useful information, such as formulas and conversion charts. Student have access to an automated audio reader. For each content area and grade level, STAAR Rehearsal Plus provides two forms of a multiple-choice practice test formatted to reflect the grade’s and content area’s STAAR assessments. Teachers can use the program’s “Build Reports” feature to create Excel formatted documents that display test results for a class or group of students. Reports are color coded to indicate which students have demonstrated mastery of specific TEKS and their overall mastery of TEKS Reporting Categories and which students continue to struggle. About Rally! Education* RALLY! Education is a national educational publishing company that has been in business for 15 years. RALLY! focuses on developing standards-based instructional print and online materials written specifically for each state. We are passionate about education and want to produce high quality materials for schools and school districts. Our team of educators and professionals work diligently to understand the needs of every state and develop instructional print and online materials that easily fit within any classroom setting. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Rally! Education. Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and alignment reports for these materials and thousands of other widely used PreK-12 resources.

Edmentum’s Study Island is a supplemental online product that helps students in grades K-12 master English language arts/reading (ELAR) standards and prepare for standardized exams. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grades 3-6. Content supports teacher-guided instruction and independent study. Teachers may create their own lessons and assessments using online tools. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Study Island begins instruction at each grade level with a diagnostic test that assesses students’ vocabulary skills and ability to read and understand literary and informational texts. Instruction is presented in short text-based lessons for each topic (e.g., setting) followed by a set of “Sessions” with practice activities. Lessons emphasize preparation for standardized tests; questions are presented in a variety of formats, including multiple choice, short answer, and drop down menu selections Study Island has comprehensive monitoring resources that allow teachers to track student and class progress in multiple, easy-to-use and -understand formats. Reports track student usage and performance data, and enable comparisons between classes and state averages of other Study Island users. Teachers may monitor student performance by topic and standard and track performance trends, such as student time spent using resources. About Edmentum* At Edmentum, a single mission guides and inspires us as it defines our core purpose and the contribution we make to society: Founded in innovation, we are committed to being educators' most trusted partner in creating successful student outcomes everywhere learning occurs. To help us work toward that mission while operating business, our key values guide our priorities and are evident in everything we do. Edmentum’s powerful learning solutions blend technology with individual teaching approaches. We are committed to making it easier for educators to individualize learning for every student through simple technology, actionable data, quality content, and a passion for customer success. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Edmentum . Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and alignment reports for these materials and thousands of other widely used PreK-12 resources.