Learning List has reviewed each of the five Spanish language arts and reading (SLAR) materials submitted to the Texas Education Agency in response to the Proclamation 2019. Below are brief discussions of each of the SLAR products. Learning List has reviewed each of the corresponding English language arts and reading (ELAR) products referenced in descriptions.
Learning List recently reviewed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Reading Texas, which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Into Reading is a comprehensive product that supports ELAR instruction in grades K-6. Content is available in print and digital formats. Learning List reviewed online resources for grades K-5. Instruction develops students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills using authentic texts from a variety of genres.
Across grades, Into Reading is organized in multi-week modules that provide access to a variety of authentic texts at varying levels of complexity. Modules are thematic and include cross-curricular topics, such as a “Global Guardians” module at grade 4 that integrates content from conservation science. Modules are organized around an essential question (e.g., “What does it take to meet a challenge?”). Reading selections include a variety of authentic, age-appropriate literary and informational texts related to the essential question. Selections include a variety of genres (e.g., historical fiction, narrative non-fiction) and representations of diverse cultures and characters. Each text has vivid illustrations that support comprehension and engage student interest. [Read more…]
Learning List recently reviewed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Literature Texas, which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Into Literature is a comprehensive product that supports ELAR instruction in grades 6-8. Content is available in print and digital formats. Learning List reviewed online resources. Instruction develops students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills using authentic texts from a variety of genres.
At each grade level, Into Literature is presented in six units that center on an Essential Question that links reading selections, frames the unit’s theme, and connects to students’ experiences. For example, a grade 7 unit titled “Change Agents” considers the question: “What inspires you to make a difference?” Units address cross-curricular topics such as the Civil War in an eighth-grade unit titled “The Fight for Freedom” and space science in a sixth-grade unit titled “The Terror and Wonder of Space.” Units include literary and informational texts and a set of “Studios” (e.g., “Reading Studio”) that integrate activities in the domains of literacy (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking) as well as vocabulary and grammar. [Read more…]
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Saxon Phonics & Spelling is a supplemental product that supports the development of foundational skills in grades K-3. Content is available in print format and is designed to supplement a reading program. Instruction develops phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling and fluency skills and includes lessons addressing handwriting. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grades K and 1.
Saxon Phonics & Spelling materials at each grade level are contained in a classroom kit that include student, teacher, and classroom resources to support instruction. Student resources include worksheets, alphabet handwriting strips, decodable readers, and a spelling dictionary (grade 1 only). Classroom resources include posters, card decks, a CD pronunciation guide, fluency readers. [Read more…]
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s California GO Math!™ is a comprehensive, mathematics product for students in grades K-8. Content is available in print and digital formats. Learning List recently reviewed resources for grades K-5. California GO Math! focuses on building students’ understanding of math in conjunction with their developing reading and writing skills. At each grade level, the program provides extensive resources for Response to Intervention (RtI) students and English language learners (ELLs). [Read more…]