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I am forever indebted to my third grade teacher, Mrs. Adams, and principal, Dr. Woodward at Spring Creek Elementary School in Richardson, Texas. The compassion and empathy these women exhibited changed the course of my life. My family moved to the United States when I was eight years old.  Though I spoke English, it felt like a different language than “American” (and particular “Texan”).  I had an accent which my new classmates had difficulty understanding.  I used different words to describe things which my classmates ridiculed.  And, I spelled words differently which lead me repeatedly to fail spelling tests. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> No student wants to be “different.” I was different. No student wants to fail; I was failing. I hated school … so much so that I refused to attend.  One day, my mother met with Mrs. Adams and asked her to consider checking my spelling test using an Oxford Dictionary. Fortunately, Mrs. Adams agreed.  Instead of giving me a big red “X,” she wrote how I needed to adjust my spelling to get the answer correct in America. I slowly grasped the nuanced changes that I needed to make and began getting good grades again. That simple act of kindness restored my confidence. Dr. Woodward helped me feel accepted and valued. She was the most approachable principal I had ever met. She smiled a lot. She asked me how things were going when she saw me in the hall. The interest she showed made me feel that she was happy to see me and cared whether I was at school.  Her simple acts of kindness transformed my attitude towards school. My third grade teacher and my elementary principal truly changed my life. In third grade, I was a shy little girl who did everything in her power not to attend school because I felt so different and unwelcome. In fourth grade I was making good grades again; I had friends, in fact, I was elected to the student council; I loved school again. Who would I be today if Mrs. Adams had not been willing to adapt her instructional strategy to help me learn to spell the American way? Her patience and willingness to work with me transformed me from a child who felt dumb and a failure to a young girl with confidence in her ability to succeed.  Where would I be if Dr. Woodward hadn’t made me feel that my presence at school mattered? Few of us have the power to impact peoples’ lives as profoundly as teachers do.  Thank you Dr. Woodward and Mrs. Adams and all the teachers who impacted my life indelibly! I am forever indebted to each of you. Without your teaching, guidance and caring, I would not have had the knowledge or confidence to start Learning List.  I hope that Learning List pays the gifts you gave me forward by making it a bit easier for teachers to use their materials to teach, reteach, and differentiate instruction most effectively to help all of their students reach their potential.

Learning List has reviewed Mastery Education’s Measuring Up End-of-Course: Algebra I, STAAR Edition. This is a supplemental print product that helps students prepare for the STAAR Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) exam. Content is organized in short lessons that address specific TEKS. Instruction provides ample opportunities for students to practice and apply problem-solving strategies. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Measuring Up organizes instruction in chapters that address key concepts in Algebra I (e.g., polynomial and algebraic expressions, quadratic equations). Each chapter is made up of short lessons that address specific TEKS. Content is scaffolded, building from simple to more complex concepts and connections to the TEKS are clear in both student and teacher resources. Each lesson includes a STAAR practice test and each chapter ends with a STAAR Minitest. Teacher editions also contain two versions of a cumulative STAAR practice test, a table identifying the TEKS addressed by each practice test problem, and a prescriptive answer key to support re-teaching. About Mastery Education* Mastery Education focuses on supplemental instructional and practice materials that are standards-based and customized for specific markets. We work closely with educational partners to analyze mandated standards and assessment criteria in order to create the most useful and relevant teacher support tools. Mastery Education products work within the company priorities of Diagnose, Instruct and Practice, and are delivered both in print as well as digital formats. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Mastery 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.

The Charles A. Dana Center’s Advanced Mathematical Decision Making (AMDM) is a comprehensive product that supports instruction in Advanced Quantitative Reasoning courses in Texas high schools. Content is available in print format. Instruction is discovery based and engages students in authentic problem solving that emphasizes real-world contexts, including statistics and finance. Algebra II is a prerequisite for the course. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> AMDM presents core content in eight teaching guides. Each guide comprises a unit of instruction that focuses on particular concepts and sets of skills (e.g., using functions in models and decision making). Units are broken into “sections” made up of lessons.  Each section in teacher guides begins with learning objectives, pacing information, prerequisite skills, overviews of student resources (e.g., activity sheets), new vocabulary, and the required instructional materials (e.g., graphing calculator). “Additional Background” helps teachers link content to other subject areas and students’ experience and “Things to Watch For” cues teachers to common student misconceptions and opportunities to enrich students’ understanding through class discussions. About the Charles A. Dana Center* The Dana Center team brings a wealth of experience and education—and a deep commitment—to our work to enable all students to achieve postsecondary success. We have multilayered expertise in mathematics and science education, leadership, research and program evaluation, literacy, policy and systemic reform, and services to high-need populations. Many of us have advanced degrees in mathematics, mathematics education, engineering, curriculum and instruction, or education administration or policy. Dana Center staff bring to our work a rich collective expertise in classroom teaching, instructional leadership, education administration, curriculum development, and national leadership in organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Academy of Sciences Mathematical Sciences Education Board, and the Advisory Committee of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices in STEM Education. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from The Dana Center . Subscribe to Learning List for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

L earning List has reviewed online materials for National Geographic’s Reach for Reading, which is a comprehensive product that supports language arts and reading instruction in grades K-6. Instruction addresses Common Core State Standards (CCSS) at each grade level and is organized in thematic units that focus on science and social studies topics and emphasize the importance of caring for the planet. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> At each grade level, Reach for Reading presents content thematic units that address a “Big Idea” (e.g., “Water for Everyone”). Units open with a “Big Question” that frames a theme in science or social studies (e.g., “Where does water come from?”). Unit openers at grades 1-6 also include a “Building Background” video linked to the Big Question. Each week provides instruction in close reading of complex texts, writing, grammar, phonemic awareness (grades K-2), and phonics, as well as the development of academic and content vocabulary. Instruction emphasizes the development of reading and writing skills in the context of their real-world applications. Students read texts such as blogs and emails, and create written products such as travel brochures and speeches. Online resources include the National Geographic digital library, “Comprehension Coach,” and “My Vocabulary Notebook.” The program’s “ eAssessment” tool contains weekly and unit assessment options that include reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, writing, editing and revising tests.  Downloadable benchmark tests with answer keys and grading rubrics are also provided. About National Geographic Learning* National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Learning, is a leading educational publisher of school, higher education, English Language Teaching, library and reference materials. At National Geographic Learning, we believe that an engaged and motivated learner will be a successful one, and we design our materials to motivate. We believe that learning can be exciting, inspiring, and transformational. Through our learning programs, we want learners to experience the excitement and joy of learning that National Geographic explorers, scientists, writers and photographers experience. We share real stories from National Geographic that increase learners' knowledge of the world and everything in it. We illustrate these materials with stunning National Geographic photography, video, and illustrations that bring the world to the classroom and the classroom to life. At National Geographic Learning, we have a responsibility to future generations to provide strong educational skills and an awareness of their role as caretakers of the planet. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from National Geographic Learning .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

ReadWorks is a supplemental open-educational resource that provides a library of literary and informational texts that support English language arts and reading instruction in grades K-12. Content is available at no cost online at two sites ReadWorks.org and ReadWorks Digital . Learning List recently reviewed ReadWorks.org resources for grades K-8. Instruction focuses on the development of reading comprehension skills included in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Although built for the CCSS, content may be searched by specific state standards, including the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> ReadWorks.org provides teaching resources that develop reading comprehension and vocabulary skills across grades K-6 and the understanding of specific genres at grades 5 and 6. Content is presented in units that focus on a specific reading passage or text and: (1) reading skills and strategies, (2) reading comprehension (grades K-5), or literary genres (grades 5 and 6). Readworks.org also includes a set of short “Reading Passages” and the “Article-A-Day” program that provides a daily informational article for grades K-8. In each lesson, learning activities include teacher modeling, checks for understanding, guided and independent practice, and reflective practice. Downloadable worksheets and practice activities are provided. ReadWorks.org provides detailed lesson plans that include learning objectives, pacing information, and step-by-step guidance in implementing activities with students. The “My Binder” tool allows teachers to collect the lesson plans they will use. Lesson plans include user comments, some of which provide additional implementation tips and strategies. About ReadWorks* The nonprofit ReadWorks provides K-12 teachers with what to teach and how to teach it—online, for free, to be shared broadly. ReadWorks provides a high-quality library of curated nonfiction and literary articles, along with reading comprehension and vocabulary lessons, formative assessments, and teacher guidance. Most importantly, everything ReadWorks does is based on proven cognitive science research. ReadWorks delivers content, curriculum, and training on two sites: ReadWorks.org And  ReadWorks Digital . On ReadWorks Digital teachers and students can engage with ReadWorks interactively.   *Content in this section is provided by or adapted from ReadWorks . Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Learning List has reviewed Davis Publication’s Communicating through Graphic Design. This comprehensive product supports instruction in high school graphic design and illustration courses.  Content is available in print and eBook formats and includes additional online components.  Instruction introduces students to concepts in graphic and web design. Topics include design history, publication and advertising concepts. The material also provides connections to history and introduces professionals working in the design field. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Communicating through Graphic Design presents content in two parts. “Part One, The Nuts and Bolts of Graphic Design,” contains two chapters that introduce concepts in graphic design (e.g., What is Graphic Design?).  “Part Two, Graphics Design Challenges,” is comprised of six chapters which address the design process, as well as design types (e.g., Publications Design and Digital Design).  The chapters cover topics such as the history and key principles of design and the arts, as well as practical skills (e.g., simplifying images and organizing print layout). “How to” tutorials and “Case Studies” clarify the real-world applications of what students are learning. Each chapter concludes with a “Chapter Review” which prompts students to recall, understand, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate the chapter’s content.  The text has a “Handbook” with additional resources, such as information on design tools, common terms, career planning and notable people and organizations in the graphic design industry. About Davis Publications* Art educators face increasing demands every year. At Davis, our goal is to create resources that are flexible enough to meet every teacher’s needs. Whether your school is emphasizing theme-based learning, big ideas, essential questions, connections to language arts, STEM, Common Core State Standards, or state and national standards—all Davis programs are designed to provide you with the resources you need to support and supplement your curriculum. We know how art educators teach—with a wide variety of projects, lessons, and resources. All of Davis’s core textbook programs are written by experienced and creative art educators who provide a wealth of ideas, fine art images, and studio experiences to enhance your instruction.   *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Davis Publications .   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.

McGraw Hill’s Thrive™ powered by Time To Know® is a comprehensive, online resource to support English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science instruction in 1:1 computer-based learning environments. Resources support teacher-led, data-driven instruction in classrooms that integrate technology. Learning List recently reviewed Thrive science resources for grades 6-8. Thrive presents science content at each grade level in units that address concepts in life science, physical science, and earth and space science. Units open with a video or animation followed by discussion questions that introduce content. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Units are made up of lessons that include animations, videos, and learning games to engage students and frame content. Lessons begin with a set of essential questions (e.g., “What is the difference between elements and compounds?”) and are made up of a set of sequential activities organized roughly in terms of the 5E instructional model. Students have access to audio readers and interactive tools, such as calculators, stop watches, and graphic organizers. Students may share their work with the class using the program’s “Gallery” feature. Teachers have access to a set of tools to facilitate learning in a 1:1 environment. The “Eyes on the Teacher” tool alerts students that the teacher requires their attention. “Follow Me” and “Stop Line” tools allow teachers to control students’ navigation and progress. When using Follow Me, teachers control students’ navigation through the lesson. Stop Line allows teachers to place a “stop line” that prevents students from progressing past a particular point in a lesson. About Thrive Science* Founded on the most current research on science and science learning, the  Thrive  science program blends advanced technology with systems thinking and modeling in a rich, digital learning experience.  Thrive  science focuses on an inquiry‐based, real‐life approach to science concepts. Thrive  science provides hands‐on, virtual, and query‐based labs; multiple reading sources, including science‐related articles and web‐based resources; and lesson animations and videos as part of this project‐based, educational experience. Students learn to construct explanations, develop and present arguments, and engage in discourse with evidence to prepare them to be critical thinkers and doers.   *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from McGraw Hill Education .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

My son and daughter attend a rural school district where most teachers wear multiple hats.  For example, my son’s math teacher is also a football, basketball, and baseball coach requiring him to stay at school until at least 7:00 pm most nights, and on game day he’s there until the team returns, which is often after 10:30 pm. Then, he’s back at school by 7:00 the next morning. The challenges in this rural school are not unique; in every rural district, teachers juggle many professional responsibilities unrelated to the courses they teach.  When, then, do they have time to ensure that their lessons implement the state standards with fidelity? The materials used in a lesson will either help students learn the knowledge and skills the standards require or distract them, undermining the lesson’s effectiveness. < Read=">Read" More... =">"> As any teacher knows, materials are not always aligned everywhere the publisher claims them to be. Learning List’s independent alignment reports take the guess work out of the equation. Our alignment reports show specific citations (e.g., lessons, pages, videos) that multiple experienced subject matter experts have verified to be fully aligned to each state, CCSS, NGSS or AP standard.  Moreover, the alignment reports are downloadable so that teachers can copy the “aligned” citations from our reports directly into their lesson plans . Learning List’s detailed alignment reports give teachers confidence that they are using their materials effectively to teach the knowledge and skills the standards require their students to learn.

Mentoring Minds’ Total Motivation Reading is a supplemental product that supports targeted remediation and preparation for Texas’ STAAR English language arts (ELA) exams in grades 6-8. Resources are available in print and online formats. Content is organized using a clear structure that focuses on active reading strategies, critical thinking skills, and practice assessments. Instruction supports Response to Intervention programs as well as test preparation. < Read=">Read" more... ="more..."> Total Motivation Reading presents instruction in units based on a text or pair of texts. Reading selections include literary and informational texts that address topics in science, social studies, or technical content areas (e.g., “A Treasure Hunt: Techie Style”). Instruction focuses on strategies to improve comprehension before, during, and after reading.  Students learn that texts may be understood at different levels linked to Bloom’s Taxonomy: (1) literal (e.g., facts, details), (2) interpretive (e.g., analysis, compare, contrast), and (3) applied (e.g., extend, evaluate). Online tools allow teachers and administrators to generate reports at the district, school, and classroom levels. The Standards Mastery report provides visual representations of each student’s mastery of specific standards, including scores on standards-specific assignments. Item analysis reports provide information about students’ performance on formative assessments and allow teachers to group students with similar learning needs. Report data may be exported. About Mentoring Minds* Mentoring Minds is an educational publisher focused on the success of students. Mentoring Minds’ passion is to develop quality educational materials that encourage students to think critically for effective problem solving. Equipped with many years of educational experience, Mentoring Minds’ product development team creates materials that address relevant issues in the classroom such as critical thinking, vocabulary development, the prevention of bullying, classroom management, and accommodations for students with special needs.   *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Mentoring Minds .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

A recent article in the New York Times describes the increased enrollment in computer science courses at the university level, and highlights how primary education has addressed the importance of abstract thinking and computer programming skills for students in grades K-12. The article explains how the College Board reshaped its Advanced Placement (AP) computer science course to more closely reflect trends at the college level. In addition to the popular AP Computer Science A course, which teaches the Java programming language, the College Board has introduced the broader AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) that allows teachers to use any programming language and focuses on transferrable skills, such as data analysis and problem solving. As part of our partnership with the College Board, Learning List has reviewed each of the products on the College Board’s 2017 “Example Textbook List” and several of the “Endorsed Courses” for CSP.  We reviewed each product’s alignment to the College Board’s course framework for AP CSP and conducted a review of each product’s instructional content. A brief overview of each material or course is provided below. Cengage Learning’s Invitation to Computer Science is a survey of the fundamental concepts of computer science, including social and ethical issues. Instruction progresses sequentially through six “Levels.” Concepts build upon one another and increase in complexity.  An accompanying Laboratory Manual provides 20 lab activities that complement instruction and clarify concepts presented across Levels 1-5. Cengage Learning’s New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2016, Comprehensive , begins with an introduction, “The Digital Revolution,” that provides the history of digital technology and its role in social, political, and economic change. Subsequent instruction is presented in 11 units that address digital content, digital devices, networks, the Web, social media, software, digital security, the ICT industry, information systems, databases, and programming. CodeHS’s AP Computer Science Principles covers the fundamentals of computer science and supports instruction in blended learning environments. Students have access to an interactive “JavaScript Library” that explains coding language, including parameters, and provides examples. “Challenge” problems extend students’ learning and the CodeHS “Sandbox” enables students to explore concepts that interest them. CS Matters in Maryland is an open educational resource (OER); resources are available at no cost at www.csmatters.org . Students learn about internet data; processes for managing, analyzing, and interpreting data; and the use of data to solve real world problems. The course uses the Python programming language; Python 3.4 and PyCharm Community Edition IDE software may be installed at no cost. Harvard University’s CS50 AP introduces students to the basics of computer science and computer programming languages. Students use their learning to solve real-world problems that are relevant to them. CS50 AP content is video-based and facilitates student self-study and instruction in flipped learning environments. Most CS50 AP resources are available at no cost at https://ap.cs50.net . Mobile CSP is a project-based online course that teaches the principles of computer science using MIT’s “App Inventor” visual block language for Android devices. Students create “socially useful” apps that address problems they have identified in their schools or communities. Zulama’s AP Computer Science Principles is an online course that develops students’ understanding of computer science and coding skills through the lens of game design. Instruction requires the installation of GameMaker Studio 2 software, which requires a Windows operating system. Instruction asks students to create new games and build a digital portfolio of their creative work. This table shows the range in the degree to which each course or material aligns to the CSP course framework Learning List’s alignment reports show which standards each material is/is not aligned to and specific citations in each material that have been verified to be aligned to each standard. In addition to reviewing computer science courses aligned to the College Board’s CSP course framework, Learning List has also reviewed of each of the state-adopted materials that support career and technical education (CTE) Information Technology courses, including computer programming and digital media products. Visit our blog next week for Computer Thinking: Part Two, in which we discuss CTE computer science products. 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 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Do The Math, which is a supplemental product that supports mathematics intervention and targeted remediation for students in grades 1-5. Some resources may be used to support instruction at grade K (e.g., Number Core). Content is available in print format with additional digital components. Instruction addresses fundamental concepts in arithmetic, including number sense, operations, fractions, and problem solving. Do The Math content is organized in 13 modules that span grade levels. The program’s first module is titled “Number Core” and addresses the fundamentals of numbers and operations (e.g., composing and decomposing quantities). Subsequently, there are three modules each (i.e., Modules A, B, and C) for (1) Addition & Subtraction, (2) Multiplication, (3) Division, and (4) Fractions. For each content area, Module A focuses on basic concepts, and Modules B and C build progressively to address more complex content. Do The Math facilitates Response to Intervention (RtI) at each tier. The program’s flexible resources may be used for daily classroom instruction, RtI pullouts and tutorials, as well as after-school and summer-school programs. Instruction is sequenced, paced, and scaffolded to meet the needs of struggling learners. Visual representations of concepts and visual directions support English language learners (ELLs) and struggling readers. About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt* HMH creates engaging, dynamic and effective educational content and experiences from early childhood to K-12 and beyond the classroom, serving more than 50 million students in more than 150 countries. Available through multiple media, our content meets the needs of students, teachers, parents and lifelong learners, no matter where and how they learn. HMH’s renowned and awarded children's books, novels, nonfiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. Our distinguished author list, from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Philip Roth, and brands from Curious George to The Lord of the Rings, includes 10 Nobel Prize winners, 48 Pulitzer Prize winners, 15 National Book Award winners, and more than 100 Caldecott, Newbery, Printz and Sibert Medal and Honor recipients. Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Learning List has reviewed CodeHS’s AP Computer Science Principles. This is a comprehensive, web-based product that supports instruction in Advance Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles courses. Content is presented online and includes some printable resources (e.g., worksheets). Instruction covers the fundamentals of computer science and the how technology influences society. Resources support instruction in blended learning environments. CodeHS presents content in nine units. The first six units address web development, programming, digital representations of information, internet design and data security, and the computational uses of online data. Unit 7 presents a set of performance tasks that reflect those of the AP exam.  Unit 8 is a one-week review for the AP exam, including an AP practice test with immediate feedback. Unit 9 is a final independent project that allows students to apply what they have learned to creatively solve a problem of interest to them. CodeHS includes a variety of materials to support teachers, including lesson plans, a sample syllabus, and professional development resources. Lesson plans are available online and have clear learning objectives, links to video tutorials and interactive learning experiences, printable handouts and problem-solving guides, planning and teaching notes, answer keys, and references to the elements of the College Board’s course framework addressed by instruction. The sample syllabus for AP Computer Science Principles details the course’s objectives, provides pacing information, and links lessons to the College Board’s course framework. About CodeHS* CodeHS is a comprehensive teaching platform for helping schools teach computer science. The mission of CodeHS is to empower all students to meaningfully impact the future. To achieve this goal, CodeHS provides web-based  curriculum ,  teacher tools and resources , and professional development to help teachers, students, and schools to implement high quality computer science programs. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from CodeHS .   Subscribe to  Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.