Is your district looking for a reading product that supports balanced literacy with more traditional resources for teachers and students?  Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Reading.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Reading is a comprehensive literacy program that supports English language arts and reading instruction in kindergarten through 6^th grade. Content is available in print and digital formats. Instruction develops students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills using authentic texts from a variety of genres.

Is your district looking for a new comprehensive math program to support blended learning? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of McGraw Hill’s Reveal Math for middle school mathematics, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra 2

McGraw Hill’s Reveal Math is a set of comprehensive materials for middle school mathematics, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra 2 available in print and online. The material is designed with a focus on rigor, productive struggle and facilitating discussions about math. Lessons focus on exploration, conversation and reflection.

Reveal Math distinct tools and design support learning in blended environments. Interactive presentations, point of use videos, animations, and a varied set of online math modeling tools partner with the interactive student edition to provide a unique classroom environment and personalize learning. Videos support teachers’ development of content knowledge and pedagogy, and digital teacher tools facilitate lesson and grade management, monitoring student progress, and assessment. [Read more...]

Edmentum’s Study Island is a supplemental online resource that prepares students in grades K-12 for standardized tests. Across courses and grades, Study Island supports teacher-guided instruction and independent study. Instruction emphasizes preparation for standardized tests, including Texas’ STAAR exams and CCSS exams (e.g., PARCC).

Learning List recently reviewed mathematics materials for grades 7 and 8 and the high school Algebra I. Learning List’s reviews address the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS-M) for and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Learning List also reviewed a TEKS course for high school U.S. History.

Study Island begins instruction for each grade and course with a diagnostic test and/or pre-test that assesses students’ existing knowledge. Subsequent content is presented in a set of online lessons and practice activities formatted to reflect standardized tests. Some lessons include printable worksheets, interactive flashcards, and/or video-based content. Instruction ends with a post-test to be completed when students have finished all lessons. [Read more…]

Learning List has reviewed Matific Math Learning Platform, which is a supplemental online product that supports mathematics instruction in grades K-6. Content addresses a variety of standards, including the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the Common Core State Standards. Instruction is presented in adaptive “episodes” (i.e., learning games) that help students discover mathematics concepts independently.

At each grade level, Matific presents instruction in interactive games and simulations. Each activity is linked to a grade and concept (e.g., grade 3, division), as well as a variety of learning standards. Teachers may select the relevant standards (e.g., TEKS) using a drop-down menu. Most activities include guidance for students in how to complete learning tasks. When guidance is text-based, an audio reader is provided. [Read more…]

Educators and publishers often use the terms “standards,” “curriculum” and/or “instructional materials” interchangeably. Moreover, many educators consider their instructional materials to be their curriculum. However, each of these terms represents a distinct component of an educational program. In the sections that follow, we provide explanations of each of these terms to differentiate their meanings in the context of PreK-12 education.

Standards set out what students are expected to know and be able to do at the end of each school year. Standards are generally established at the state level. In fact, ESSA requires that each state create learning standards for public schools in three subjects—English language arts/reading, mathematics, and science—and many states go beyond ESSA’s minimum to set standards in social studies, career and technical education, languages other than English, and other subjects.

In contrast, the curriculum is developed at the district level, the product of local policy making. While the standards tell you what is expected, the curriculum provides the road map to get there. Often described in documents such as “scope and sequence” and “units of instruction,” a curriculum includes goals, instructional practices and pedagogical guidance, suggested resources and instructional materials, and methods of measuring student progress. [Read more…]