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New Review: Heinemann’s Units of Study in Reading Middle School Grades

June 28, 2022April 25, 2019

Which instructional materials is your district considering for reading instruction in middle school? Particularly if you are implementing the reading workshop model, consider Learning List’s review of Heinemann’s Units of Study in Reading Middle School Grades (Units of Study Reading).

Units of Study Reading is a supplemental reading product for students in grades 6 through 8. The program is primarily an instructional narrative for teachers and includes print and online teaching resources. Lucy Calkins’ workshop model underpins the framework for reading instruction focusing on developing avid readers who choose and understand increasingly complex texts. Units are not specific to a grade level which means district or campus staff sequence the units based on the district’s curriculum, availability of resources, and student needs or reading levels. Teachers without prior experience in teaching writing workshop will require significant professional development and time to study materials and resources to ensure successful implementation. [Read more. . . ]

New Product: Heinemann’s Units of Study in Writing

June 28, 2022April 1, 2019

Which instructional materials is your district considering for writing instruction? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Heinemann’s Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing^TM (Grades K-5) and Heinemann’s Units of Study in Argument, Information, and Narrative Writing^TM (Grades 6-8) (Units of Study Writing).

Units of Study Writing is a supplemental writing product for students in grades K-8. The program is primarily an instructional narrative for teachers and includes print and online teaching resources. Lucy Calkins’ workshop model underpins the framework for writing instruction in this series. Teachers without prior experience in teaching writing workshop will require significant professional development and time to study materials and resources to ensure successful implementation.

Units of Study Writing dovetails with Heinemann’s Units for Reading^TM, which Learning List has reviewed. Both products use similar structures, instructional strategies, and vocabulary across grade levels and content areas. This provides seamless transitions for students from grade to grade. Learning List’s alignment reports show how the material’s vertical alignment of skills guide teachers in supporting students at all proficiency levels. [Read more. . . ]

New Product Review: Heinemann’s Units of Study in Phonics

September 6, 2022March 20, 2019

Is your district trying to connect the dots for the adoption of new ELAR materials? Take a look at this new review to see if Heinemann’s Units of Study in Phonics^TM is what you are looking for.

Heinemann’s Units of Study in Phonics is a supplemental reading product for students in grades K-1. The program is primarily an instructional narrative for teachers; few online student resources are provided. A condensed workshop model underpins the framework for phonics instruction focusing on instruction that transfers to support students’ reading and writing. Units of Study in Phonics dovetails with Heinemann’s Units of Study for Reading and Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing for grades K-1. Learning List has reviewed Units of Study for Reading and Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing. [Read more. . . ]

New Product: Heinemann’s Fountas and Pinnell Classroom™

September 6, 2022February 25, 2019

Learning List recently reviewed Heinemann’s Fountas and Pinnell Classroom™, which is a comprehensive reading product that supports literacy instruction in grades K-6. Instruction supports students’ ability to think within, beyond, and about text to make meaning. Six principles form the foundation of the system: coherence, responsive teaching, student inquiry, multi-text approach, language-based, and teacher expertise. The product includes print and online components. This review is of materials for Kindergarten through 3^rd grade.

Fountas & Pinnell Classroom ™ supports balanced literacy and reader’s workshop frameworks. Learning and assessment is designed for whole group (interactive read-aloud, shared reading, reading minilesson, and phonics), small group (guided reading and book clubs), and individual (independent reading and phonics) settings. The product is designed around the principle of responsive teaching, and therefore is student centered. The system includes collections of leveled readers and trade books, as well as text sets for book clubs. [Read more. . . ]

New Product Review: Heinemann Units of Study Grades 6-8

September 6, 2022October 11, 2017

Learning List has reviewed Heinemann’s Units of Study in Argument, Information, and Narrative Writing for grades 6-8. We have previously reviewed Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing for grades K-5. Both products are supplemental writing programs made up of a set of print resources for teachers with additional materials available on CD-ROM. Based on the work of Lucy Calkins and the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College, Columbia University, Units of Study incorporates a workshop approach to teaching writing skills that focuses on Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for writing. [Read more…]

Helping Kids Learn to Write

August 12, 2022August 27, 2017

A recent New York Times article titled Why Kids Can’t Write explores the reasons behind U.S. students’ poor writing skills. The article asserts that the root of writing problems lies with teachers, most of whom have not been trained in how to teach writing, and who are not confident writers themselves. The article goes on to cite specific efforts, such as the National Writing Project and The Writing Revolution, that are focused on training educators how to teach writing skills, as well as the research on effective writing instruction, which suggests a few concrete strategies. For example, students should learn to transcribe by hand and using a computer. Instruction should teach students to write strong sentences before introducing paragraphs. Students benefit when writing instruction integrates grammar, includes models of good writing, and provides frequent feedback about the students’ own writing.

At Learning List, we believe that high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials, including writing materials, are critical to teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom. In our work this summer, we have reviewed several supplemental products that focus on teaching writing skills and preparing Texas students for the grade 4 STAAR Writing test. These products use different approaches, but each strives to improve students’ writing skills: [Read more…]

New Review: Heinemann’s Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Study

August 18, 2022April 18, 2016

Learning List has reviewed Heinemann’s Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Study for grades K-5. This supplemental writing program is made up of a set of print resources for teachers with additional materials available on CD-ROM. Based on the work of Lucy Calkins and the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College, Columbia University, Units of Study incorporates a workshop approach to teaching writing skills that focuses on Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for writing. …[read more]

Review: Heinemann’s Comprehension Toolkit

August 19, 2022October 15, 2015

Heinemann’s Comprehension Toolkit is a supplemental resource to support active reading of informational texts in grades K-6. The Toolkit strives to develop active learners and responsive teachers. Instruction focuses on the use of strategies to help students understand and retain what they read. Learning List has reviewed Heinemann’s Comprehension Toolkit with alignment to both CCSS and LAFS.