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We are happy to launch Learning List’s blog. Not surprisingly, our blog will focus on selecting and purchasing instructional materials and online courses. More specifically, we hope our posts will help educators review and select the instructional materials best suited to meet their students’ unique needs. Our blog posts will address such topics as: Understanding the standards; aligning to standards; policy trends and changes; and, factors to consider when selecting and purchasing instructional materials. We hope this blog will be a useful information resource for educators and publishers, alike. Please feel free to submit ideas for topics you’d like to see us address.

Illustrative Mathematics (IM) is a supplemental, open educational resource (OER) that supports the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM) in grades K-12. The program is available online and includes sample problems, curriculum modules, and professional development resources. Materials are available at no cost at www.illustrativemathematics.org . Learning List recently reviewed IM content for middle school (i.e., grades 6-8). IM content is organized by CCSSM domain (e.g., Geometry), cluster (e.g., “Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.”), and standard (e.g., “Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by…”). For each standard, the program provides a set of printable “learning tasks,” or multi-step problems. Each learning task is accompanied by a “Commentary,” a detailed narrative description of the solution, and a comments section. The Commentary explains the problem, its purpose, and different strategies students may use to solve it.  The solutions narrative provides step-by-step guidance in reaching the problem’s solution. The comments section allows users to add their feedback and suggestions. “Course Blueprints” for grades 6-8 were “Under construction!” at the time of our review (July 2016); Course Blueprints available at the high school level are curriculum modules organized in units with diagnostic pre-tests and summative assessments. Additional instructional materials and professional development modules are available for purchase on the IM website. About Illustrative Mathematics* IM is a discerning community of educators dedicated to the coherent learning of mathematics. Founded in 2011 at the University of Arizona, IM has operated since 2013 as an independent 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. IM shares carefully vetted resources for teachers and teacher leaders to give our children an understanding of mathematics and skill in using it. IM provides expert guidance to states, districts, curriculum writers, and assessment writers working to improve mathematics education. * The content in this section is provided by or adapted from  Illustrative Mathematics Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

Did you know… 13 states + Washington DC supplement federal aid to cover the cost of AP exams for economically disadvantaged students AP participation rates have grown dramatically over the last decade: Class of 2015: 37.3% of students took > 1 AP test Class of 2005: 21.2% of students took > 1 AP test Students scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam increased, too: Class of 2015: 22.4% of students scored > 3 on at least 1 AP exam Class of 2005: 13% of students scored > 3 on at least 1 AP exam The College Board is engaged in several related initiatives to help AP teachers prepare a larger and more diverse student population to achieve success in AP courses.  First, AP course frameworks in several disciplines have been redesigned to focus on striking a balance between depth of understanding and breadth of content coverage.  A subsequent blog post will elaborate on the methodology and principles underlying the redesign process. A critical next step in supporting AP teachers is ensuring that the instructional materials for AP courses address the knowledge and skills articulated in the new course frameworks. To that end, the College Board has partnered with Learning List to ensure that the materials included on the College Board’s Example Textbook Lists for the redesigned courses are well aligned to the new course frameworks and to provide teachers with ongoing support in using those materials effectively. As explained in this press release , the new partnership was announced today during the annual APAC conference in Anaheim California.  As a result of the partnership: The College Board is requiring publishers of AP materials for revised courses to submit their materials to Learning List for review in order to be eligible for inclusion on the College Board’s Example Textbook Lists for those courses; For each AP instructional material, Learning List provides three professional reviews: Spec Sheet : two-page overview of product’s key academic attributes and technology requirements Alignment Reports: detailed verification of the material’s alignment to the content standards and to the skills/practices contained in the relevant AP course framework; and Editorial Review : a deep dive into the product’s instructional content and design to help teachers identify which products contain the supports they and their students need. The College Board uses Learning List’s reviews to determine which materials to include on the Example Textbook List for each revised course. Learning List’s in-depth alignment reports serve as an instructional road map (or GPS) through each AP instructional material.  The alignment reports: Help teachers see and understand the inter-relationships of the key components of the revised course frameworks; and Identify the specific citations (i.e., page numbers, lessons, videos, etc.) in each material that are aligned to each Learning Objective, Essential Knowledge Statement and Skill/Practice for the course so that teachers know exactly which parts of the materials to assign to ensure that students learn all the knowledge and skills the course framework requires. Furthermore, tools on LearningList.com help teachers identify additional resources if their primary materials are not aligned to 100% of EKs, LOs and Skills/Practices or if students need additional practice. As explained by John Williamson, College Board’s vice president of Advanced Placement instruction, “The independent reviews authored by experienced AP teachers provide the information AP teachers need to select materials but also use those materials most effectively in making sure their students are exposed to all of the knowledge and skills articulated in the frameworks.” Educators may access Learning List’s reviews of AP materials and comparison tools through an annual district-wide, campus-wide or campus AP-only subscription. Contact Info@LearningList.com to schedule a brief webinar to see the reviews of AP materials and tools that help you choose and use AP materials most effectively.

Math Teachers Press’s Moving with Math: Connections is a comprehensive resource to support mathematics instruction for students in grades PK-2. Resources are available in print with additional manipulative components. Instruction is manipulative-based and ensures students are able to understand and apply fundamental math concepts. Learning List recently reviewed materials for grades PK and K. Based on the work of Jean Piaget, Moving with Math organizes instruction in three progressive stages: Concrete, Pictorial, and Abstract/Symbolic. In the Concrete stage, students work with manipulatives (e.g., base ten blocks) and other objects to model concepts (e.g., three blocks). In the Pictorial stage, students draw representational pictures (e.g., three circles), which creates a foundation for the transition to the Abstract, or Symbolic, stage where they learn to associate concepts with symbolic, or algebraic, representations (e.g., 3). Instruction addresses visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles and emphasizes in the precise use of mathematics vocabulary. Students discover new concepts through hands-on activities that incorporate manipulatives (e.g., base ten blocks), models, and role play. Each lesson includes “Story Time,” a list of recommended children’s literature that supports the concepts taught (e.g., “The Three Little Pigs”). “Skill Builder” activities extend learning and may be used to support instruction at home. About Math Teachers Press* Since 1980, Math Teachers Press has continually refined its learning objectives to address the instructional needs of school districts nationwide. Moving to the Common Core State Standards and CCSS-aligned assessment represented a continuation of this process of refinement. Despite all of the changes across the landscape of math education, the mission of Math Teachers Press has remained unchanged: to help all students succeed in math––especially those who struggle most––while making the job of the teacher easier with handy organizational tools, user-friendly lesson plans, and web-based assessment and reporting to monitor student progress and provide accountability. * The content in this section is provided by or adapted from  Math Teachers Press . Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

Really Great Reading’s Blast Foundations G1A (Grade 1 Aligned) is a supplemental resource to support early reading development in grades K and 1 and intervention in grades 2 and 3.  Resources are available in print format with additional online components. Instruction develops the foundational skills students need in order to become proficient readers, including letter-sound relationships, phonemic and phonological awareness, high frequency word recognition, and phonics and spelling skills. Blast Foundations supplements core reading instruction by providing structured lessons that support emerging readers in grades K and 1, early intervention in grade 1, and ongoing intervention in grades 2 and 3. Instruction develops students’ decoding skills, reading fluency, and ability to understand what they read. Instruction is presented in 25 weekly units made up of five daily lessons designed to last 15-20 minutes. Lessons are structured by the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) instructional model and incorporate recognizable routines, such as “Look, Think, Say.” Hands-on activities and the use of manipulatives, such as magnetic letter tiles and SyllaBoards (i.e., single-sided dry erase boards), are integrated throughout instruction. About Really Great Reading* Really Great Reading believes that every student has the right to appropriate, high-quality, foundational-skills reading instruction. Unfortunately, millions of students struggle to read because they have deficits in their basic reading skills. These gaps often lead to poor decoding skills. The research is clear; automaticity in decoding is a critical skill for fluent reading and proficient comprehension. Really Great Reading is focused on preventing and remediating decoding weaknesses in students in all grades (and even adults). We provide educators the tools and knowledge to teach all students (not just those who learn easily) to read. We make assessment and grouping practical, efficient and accurate. Our approach to reading instruction is research-based, interactive, explicit, structured, and multisensory. In our lessons, students not only learn to read, but enjoy the intelligent learning process. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Really Great Reading . Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

Learning List recently reviewed Apex Learning’s comprehensive online courses for Texas English I-IV. Each course provides a full year’s content organized in two semesters. Resources support instruction in self-paced, remediation, and credit recovery programs. English I and II focus on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through the study of a variety of literary and informational texts. The first semester of English I covers the short story, fiction, poetry, and the novella, and the second semester addresses drama, rhetoric, and science fiction. English II covers prose, elements of fiction (i.e., setting), literary criticism, the research paper, practical documents (e.g., formal letters), persuasive writing, speech, and argumentation. English III addresses American literature and is organized chronologically, spanning the American Revolution to contemporary writing and the media. Similarly, English IV presents chronological coverage of British and world literature from Homer’s Odyssey through contemporary writing (e.g., Beckett) and the media. Across courses, students learn to write for different purposes, including explanatory, argumentative, analysis, and research-based essays. Each course provides tools to help struggling readers, such as embedded prompts ask students to respond to what they have read. Prompts provide example responses and a field for students to write their comments. The first semester covers the American Revolution through the rise of Modernism after World War I. The second semester covers the Great Depression to contemporary writing and the media.  Across both semesters, students learn to write for different purposes, including explanatory, argumentative, analysis, and research-based essays. About Apex Learning* Founded in 1997, Apex Learning is the leading provider of blended and virtual learning solutions to the nation's schools. The company's standards-based digital curriculum — in math, science, English, social studies, world languages, and Advanced Placement® — is widely used for original credit, credit recovery, remediation, intervention, acceleration, and exam preparation. Schools across the country are successfully using Apex Learning digital curriculum to meet the needs of students, from building foundational skills to creating opportunities for advanced coursework. *The content provided here was provided by or adapted from Apex Learning. Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

Learning List has reviewed Apex Learning’s Texas Biology— a comprehensive online course for Texas high school students. Resources support instruction in self-paced, remediation, and credit recovery programs. Instruction focuses on building students’ understanding of biology concepts and developing scientific process and communication skills. Texas Biology presents content in two semesters made up of seven units each. First semester instruction provides a unit that introduces students to biology, including science process skills. Other units cover chemistry, cells, the transfer of energy and matter, and earth’s resources. The second semester covers DNA and heredity, DNA to protein, ecosystems and natural selection, evolution and classification, and human biology.  The sixth unit for each semester is a review and preparation for the semester exam and the seventh unit is an introduction to the STAAR end-of-course (EOC) exam and a diagnostic practice test. Each unit contains a “Doing Science” lesson that develops students’ scientific processes skills through a hands-on Lab investigation in which students collect and analyze data and draw conclusions. Instruction addresses careers in STEM fields and writing activities are integrated throughout the course. Assessment resources for each semester include a diagnostic practice test for the STAAR EOC exam. About Apex Learning* Founded in 1997, Apex Learning is the leading provider of blended and virtual learning solutions to the nation's schools. The company's standards-based digital curriculum — in math, science, English, social studies, world languages, and Advanced Placement® — is widely used for original credit, credit recovery, remediation, intervention, acceleration, and exam preparation. Schools across the country are successfully using Apex Learning digital curriculum to meet the needs of students, from building foundational skills to creating opportunities for advanced coursework. *The content provided here was provided by or adapted from Apex Learning. Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

Learning List has reviewed Apex Learning’s online Texas Algebra I and Texas Algebra II courses. Both courses develop students’ conceptual understanding, computational skills, and proficiency in solving problems. Resources support instruction in self-paced, remediation, and credit recovery programs. Texas Algebra I s organized in two semesters. The first semester addresses linear equations, systems of linear equations, functions, exponents, and exponential functions. The second semester addresses polynomials, including factoring; quadratic equations and functions; the transformation of functions; and bivariate data.  Across semesters, students learn to reason mathematically and to use mathematical models and tools to solve real-world problems. Texas Algebra II’s first semester addresses systems of linear equations; functions, relations, and their graphs; transforming functions; and polynomial functions. The second semester addresses rational expressions and functions; exponents, logarithms, and their graphs; and bivariate data. Across both courses, students learn to reason mathematically and to use mathematical models and tools to solve real-world problems. In each course, units begins with a short video introduction that frames the real-world applications of what students will learn. Instruction is provided through a set of activities titled “Study,” “Check Up,” “Practice,” “Journal” and “Quiz.” Content includes embedded audio and video files that that engage students and support the instruction in the Mathematical Process Standards.  Journal activities allow students to express their reasoning and critique the reasoning of others, and resources to support struggling readers are provided (e.g., strategies to improve reading comprehension). About Apex Learning* Founded in 1997, Apex Learning is the leading provider of blended and virtual learning solutions to the nation's schools. The company's standards-based digital curriculum — in math, science, English, social studies, world languages, and Advanced Placement® — is widely used for original credit, credit recovery, remediation, intervention, acceleration, and exam preparation. Schools across the country are successfully using Apex Learning digital curriculum to meet the needs of students, from building foundational skills to creating opportunities for advanced coursework. *The content provided here was provided by or adapted from Apex Learning. Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

Learning List has reviewed Apex Learning’s comprehensive resources to support instruction in Texas U.S. History courses. Content focuses on building students’ reading, writing, and historical thinking skills and supports instruction in self-paced, remediation, and credit recovery programs. Texas U.S. History presents content chronologically. Instruction is divided in two semesters made up of five units. The first semester covers the historical periods from Civil War Reconstruction (i.e., 1877) to the “World War 1 and Its Aftermath” and begins with a unit that introduces students to concepts in history (e.g., evaluating sources) and historical thinking skills used throughout instruction. The second semester covers the Great Depression through contemporary events.  The final unit for each semester is a review and preparation for the semester exam. Writing activities are integrated throughout instruction and content includes Interactive timelines, maps, and activities. New vocabulary is highlighted and linked to the glossary. When students scroll over new or unfamiliar historical terms (e.g., nativism, Scopes trial), a pop up window with a description or explanation of the term appears. Online pages have worksheets with questions that help students take notes and prepare for quizzes and exams. About Apex Learning* Founded in 1997, Apex Learning is the leading provider of blended and virtual learning solutions to the nation's schools. The company's standards-based digital curriculum — in math, science, English, social studies, world languages, and Advanced Placement® — is widely used for original credit, credit recovery, remediation, intervention, acceleration, and exam preparation. Schools across the country are successfully using Apex Learning digital curriculum to meet the needs of students, from building foundational skills to creating opportunities for advanced coursework. *The content provided here was provided by or adapted from Apex Learning. Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

CPM Educational Program’s Core Connections Courses 1-3 are a series of comprehensive resources that support mathematics instruction in grades 6-8 and Core Connections Integrated I-III is a set of comprehensive materials that support instruction for each of the Integrated Pathways high school courses identified in Appendix A of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Learning List recently reviewed resources for each set of courses. Core Connections Courses 1-3 provide a three-year sequence of math instruction to prepare middle school students for college-preparatory algebra courses. Core Connections Integrated I-III provide a rigorous three-year sequence of math instruction to prepare high school students for advanced college-preparatory mathematics courses (e.g., calculus). Instruction in both sets of courses focuses on developing students’ understanding of mathematical concepts through problem-based learning activities. Students work collaboratively to identify solutions strategies, the connections between concepts, and to develop critical thinking skills. Core Connections courses emphasize the use of “Study Teams that work together to answer questions, justify reasoning, and identify multiple solution strategies. Through ongoing discussion, teams support one another and ensure all members understand problems and solutions. Teachers encourage students’ teamwork, facilitate discussions, and provide support when teams encounter questions they are unable to answer. Core Connections courses address the CCSS and are available in print and eBook formats. About CPM* CPM began as a grant-funded mathematics project in 1989 to write textbooks to help students understand mathematics and support teachers who use these materials. CPM Educational Program is now a nonprofit educational consortium of middle and high school teachers and university professors that offers a complete mathematics program for grades 6 through 12 (Calculus) designed to engage all students in learning mathematics through problem solving, reasoning, and communication. CPM’s Mission: CPM’s mission is to empower mathematics students and teachers through exemplary curriculum, professional development, and leadership. We recognize and foster teacher expertise and leadership in mathematics education. We engage all students in learning mathematics through problem solving, reasoning, and communication. CPM’s Vision: CPM envisions a world where mathematics is viewed as intriguing and useful, and is appreciated by all; where powerful mathematical thinking is an essential, universal, and desirable trait; and where people are empowered by mathematical problem-solving and reasoning to solve the world’s problems. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from CPM. Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

DreamBox supplemental online resources support mathematics instruction for students in grades K-8.  The adaptive program provides individualized instruction using learning games that incorporate engaging animated characters. Resources support instruction in blended learning environments. Learning List recently reviewed materials for grade K. At grade K, DreamBox focuses on number sense and the skills needed for addition and subtraction. Instruction is presented in the form of interactive games, such as a matching game in which students match numbers that sum to 10 (e.g., 4 and 6). The adaptive program analyzes students’ answers and scaffolds instruction, providing corrective feedback, hints, and new questions based on individual student’s responses. Lessons use virtual manipulatives such as a “TenFrame” (i.e., “an array of squares used to teach counting, number relationships and computation”) and a “MathRack” (i.e., an interactive abacus). Reporting tools allow administrators and teachers to track student growth at the individual student, class, and grade level. Reports let users monitor students’ progress on assignments, mastery of standards, and time spent using resources, including time at home.  About DreamBox* At DreamBox, we believe all children can excel at learning, no matter where they start, where they live, or who they are. Along with district administrators, teachers, principals, and parents, we are dedicated to helping children realize their potential. Yet every child must be challenged, encouraged, and engaged in an individual way. That’s why we developed our revolutionary Intelligent Adaptive Learning™ technology, and combined it with a rigorous curriculum and an engaging game-like environment, to change the learning paradigm. Our innovative technology captures every interaction a student makes while working within and between lessons. As it dynamically adapts and individualizes instruction in real time, it provides millions of learning paths tailored to each student’s unique needs. It is a ground-breaking, student-driven learning environment that leverages gaming fundamentals to inspire and empower students to build 21st century thinking and problem solving skills, master key concepts, increase achievement, and boost long-lasting confidence in learning. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from DreamBox. Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.

Learning List recently reviewed Amazon’s TenMarks Math Teach and TenMarks Math —a set of comprehensive online resources to support mathematics instruction in grades K-12. Both resources address the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). TenMarks Math Teach includes “grab-and-go” interactive whiteboard (IWB) lessons, short video lessons on specific concepts, and interactive tutorials. TenMarks Math complements teacher-led instruction by providing independent practice assignments with embedded supports, including audio readers, hints, and video tutorials. TenMarks Math Teach resources include “Lessons,” “Videos” and “Amplifiers.” Lessons are teacher-led IWB lessons made up of interactive slides and accompanying teaching notes. Videos are supplementary resources that provide direct instruction in concepts (e.g., Understanding Division of Integers). Amplifiers are interactive tutorials in a slideshow format. TenMarks Math independent practice resources are made up of individual “Assignments” and “Jam Session” practice activities. Instruction is customizable and supports personalized learning, data-driven instruction, and intervention for struggling students. Assignments include supports to help students work independently. Supports include audio readers, hints, and video tutorials in concepts. Jam Sessions allow students to practice skills and build fluency, improving speed and accuracy with concepts. Jam Session problems focus on a specific standard and include audio readers. Teachers have access to video tutorials, live and archived webinars, articles, and FAQ documents to support the use of TenMarks tools and resources.  TenMarks Math Teach also provides a downloadable “Field Guide” to help teachers use resources.  About TenMarks* Our team of educators and technologists is committed to building solutions that improve learning outcomes. Our goal is to provide every stakeholder in the K–12 learning lifecycle with quality curricula, instructional resources, and technology that continually raise the bar of educational excellence. We leverage innovation across various business areas including next generation devices, advanced personalization and recommendations, and gaming and entertainment. This enables us to deliver unparalleled value to our customers–educators, schools, districts, and parents–as we all work toward creating a better generation of lifelong learners. *The content in this section is provided by or adapted from TenMarks. Subscribe to Learning List  for access to the spec sheet, full editorial review and detailed alignment report for this material.