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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.

The College Board recently announced the 2017 AP® Example Textbook Lists.  Only materials that Learning List reviewed were eligible for inclusion on the Example Textbook Lists for the courses listed here. The College Board used our reviews to select the materials included on those Lists. To date, we have reviewed almost 100 publisher-produced and OER AP materials. To ensure that the reviews are of the highest caliber, we collaborated with The College Board to design the review methodology, and we hired as our reviewers many of the AP teachers who helped the College Board design the AP course frameworks. Here are  three important ways  our reviews help teachers  choose  and  use  AP materials most effectively.  (1)  Alignment to the course frameworks   A material's inclusion on an Example Textbook list, does  not  mean that a material is aligned to 100% of the Learning Objectives (LO) or Practices/Skills contained in the course framework. As this table shows, materials on the Example Textbook lists range  significantly  in their alignment to the course frameworks. Our alignment reports not only show the standards to which each material is/is not aligned, but more importantly, specific citations that are/are not aligned to each standard. (2)  Enhanced correlations : Our alignment reports provide more guidance than the publisher's correlation.   We review AP materials for alignment to each LO, Essential Knowledge (EK) and Skill/Practice contained in the relevant course framework.   (3)  Instructional design and supports : Beyond alignment, our editorial reviews help teachers determine which materials will provide the best instructional resources and support to help prepare their students for success in the course. The editorial reviews describe how closely each material follows the design of the course framework. They highlight the number and type of instructional supports provided for teachers and students. And, they explain how well the material fulfills the pedagogical shift in the redesigned course frameworks (e.g., whether assessment questions are structured similarly to the AP exam questions, whether the material offers hand-on learning experiences, etc...).    This 3-minute  video  explains the types of reviews and tools available on Learning List.com. We offer campus-wide, district-wide or AP-only subscriptions to make our reviews accessible to all AP teachers.  Contact us  for more information.

Learning List has reviewed Harvard University’s CS50 AP.  This comprehensive product supports instruction in Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles courses. Content is available online and includes printable resources. Instruction 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. Most CS50 AP resources are available at no cost at https://ap.cs50.net . CS50 AP content is video-based and facilitates student self-study and instruction in flipped learning environments. Direct instruction is presented in videos of (1) Harvard professor David Malan’s, the course’s creator, lectures; (2) section instruction presented by teaching fellows; (3) and “shorts” presented by a variety of students. Videos are available in YouTube and MP4 download formats. Instruction is rigorous, but contains supports for students. Video content is accompanied by downloadable, text-based resources, including lecture notes, reference sheets, and PowerPoint slides of presentations. Reference sheets are one-page summaries of content that clarify new vocabulary and terms, provide contextual definitions, and illustrations of concepts, where appropriate. A set of CS50 alumni who are currently full-time Microsoft employees are available via Skype to support AP teachers and students, alike. About CS50 AP* CS50 is Harvard University’s introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming for students with a diversity of technological background and experience. CS50 for AP Computer Science Principles is an adaptation of CS50 specifically tailored to align with the AP Computer Science Principles curriculum framework. The course’s assignments, materials, and resources are all identical to the version of the course taught at the college-level, albeit adapted to suit a secondary school audience.   *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from CS50 .   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.

Mentoring Minds’ Total Motivation Math is a supplemental product that supports targeted remediation and preparation for Texas’ STAAR mathematics exams in grades 6-8. Content is available in print and online formats. Content is organized using a clear structure that focuses on direct instruction, practice, and assessment. Instruction supports Response to Intervention programs as well as test preparation. Total Motivation Math presents instruction in units organized using the 5E instructional model. Each unit contains an introductory, open-ended problem set; guided and independent practice activities; a short, multiple-choice formative assessment; critical thinking extension problems; journal and vocabulary exercises, a “Motivation Station” extension activity; and homework. At each grade level, Total Motivation Math includes two performance-based assessments. Assessments provide a narrative “Stimulus” that frames the context for problem solving, a “Task Overview” that clarifies the problems to be solved, and a series of open-ended problems in which students apply what they have learned to the problem. 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.

Learning List has reviewed each of CompuScholar’s submissions for Texas’ Proclamation 2017 call for CTE products that support instruction in information technology courses. Each product is discussed briefly below: Java Programming (Abridged) is a web-based, computer science course for high school students. It is a two-semester course that addresses the Java programming language, a primary programming language used by today’s software industry.  This course requires no previous programming experience and supports instruction for Computer Science I. TeenCoder: Windows Programming  is a web-based, computer science course for high school students. Instruction addresses one of the primary programming languages, C#, used by today’s software industry.  Similar to Java Programming (Abridged), this course requires no previous programming experience and support instruction for Computer Science I. Digital Savvy is comprehensive, year-long, online course that introduces students to concepts in information technology. Content meets the requirements for Principles of Information Technology courses. Instruction addresses a broad range of topics, including basics of computer hardware, operating systems, networks, social media, commonly used software programs (e.g., spreadsheets), and the role of technology in the workplace. KidCoder: Web Design is a year-long, online course that covers all topics generally included in introductory web-design programs at the middle school and high school levels. Content addresses the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills needed to create websites. Instruction meets the requirements for Texas Web Technologies courses. About CompuScholar* Using a love of computers and programming to inspire a new generation, and frustrated by a lack of proper teaching materials for young students, CompuScholar founders Chris and Andrea Yust set out to make a difference. They worked together to create courses that would teach professional programming languages in a fun way that students could understand and that non-technical teachers and parents could teach. Chris and Andrea have co-written more than eight introductory computer programming textbooks for kids and teens. The entire CompuScholar team continues to work to make Computer Science education approachable and available to all. *Information in this section is provided by or adapted from CompuScholar .   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 online resources for Savvas’s ReadyGEN .  This comprehensive product supports literacy instruction in grades K-6. Content is available in print and online formats and supports instruction in blended learning environments. Instruction is inquiry-based and focuses on developing independent readers and writers with strong reading and listening comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills. Across grade levels, ReadyGEN content is organized in thematic units (e.g., “Finding Courage”), modules, and lessons. Each module is built around an anchor text, a set of “Text Collection” supporting texts, and “Sleuth” close reading selections. Instruction uses theme-related literary and informational texts that present diverse characters and themes that support tolerance and understanding of differences. “Sleuth” is a structured approach to developing close reading skills. Each module includes writing workshops focused on a particular type of writing (e.g., opinion, narrative). Workshops provide direct instruction in the writing process, opportunities for independent writing, and a “Shared Writing” activity in which students share their work with the class. Daily lessons also include “Reader’s and Writer’s Journal” activities in which students practice new vocabulary, close reading, and writing skills. 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. Bringing digital learning to school children worldwide, Savvas is helping to transform education with full-time online and blended schools, online courses, technology, and host of support services. With a focus on successful student outcomes, these programs deliver high-quality, highly personalized, and flexible learning experiences -- students are able to complete schoolwork when and where they learn best, 24/7. 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 detailed alignment report for this material, and thousands of other widely used Pk-12 resources.

Learning List has reviewed CS Matters in Maryland. This comprehensive open educational resource (OER) supports instruction in Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles courses. Content is available online and includes printable teacher resources. Instruction is inquiry based and focuses on the theme of data. Students learn about internet data; processes for managing, analyzing, and interpreting data; and the use of data to solve real world problems. Resources are available at no cost at: www.csmatters.org . CS Matters begins with an optional introductory unit (i.e., Unit 0) that provides a preview of the course’s content, how technology is evolving, and introduces the concept of computer intelligence and the role of algorithms. Core content is organized in six units: (1) Your Virtual World, (2) Developing Programming Tools, (3) Information and the Internet, (4) Data Acquisition, (5) Data Manipulation, and (6) Data Visualization. The course uses the Python programming language; Python 3.4 and PyCharm Community Edition IDE software may be installed at no cost. A student text is not provided. CS Matters student materials are curated from a variety of free online resources (e.g., How to Think Like a Computer Scientist ). Annual summer workshops for supporting the use of CS Matters in AP classrooms are held at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County About CS Matters* CS Matters in Maryland is part of the  CS for All Consortium , a network of nonprofit leaders, government supporters, expert practitioners, companies, and advocates who regularly contribute their guidance, resources and tools to promote the success of the Computer Science (CS) education movement. Additionally, CS Matters is a member of the  Expanding Computing Education Pathways  (ECEP) Alliance, which seeks to increase the number and diversity of students in the pipeline to computing and computing-intensive degrees by supporting state-level computing education reforms. CS Matters is committed to providing equitable access to computer science education for all students in Maryland. *Information in this section is provided  by or adapted from CS Matters .   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.