Does your district need instructional materials to support implementation of the NGSS? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Science Dimensions.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Science Dimensions is a comprehensive science program for grades K-12. Learning List has reviewed the materials for middle school Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science. Science Dimensions provides relevant, real-world opportunities for students to work and think like scientists and engineers. The material supports the intention of the Next Generation Science Standards by consistently providing students with three-dimensional learning experiences, integrating the Cross-Cutting Concepts and Science and Engineering Practices with the Disciplinary Core Ideas.

Are you looking for a fully digital product for high school science? Take a look at Learning List’s reviews of Edmentum’s high school science courses.

Edmentum’s High School Science is a comprehensive high school science program. Learning List recently reviewed the material for high school biology, chemistry, and physics. The goal of the courses is to provide rigorous, relevant instruction  through interactive, media-rich content. 

Edmentum provides a comprehensive digital experience with a learning management system (LMS) that is easy to navigate and encourages students to monitor their own progress through progress reports, portfolios, and self-evaluation.

Glencoe’s iScience is a set of comprehensive materials for middle school science. Materials are available in print and online. Each discipline of science (life, earth and space, physical) is a separate set of materials designed to encourage students to learn scientific concepts and apply those concepts to the real world.

iScience supports the intent of the Next Generation Science Standards with numerous opportunities for students to be scientists and do science. Materials encourage students to make connections between scientific concepts and real-world scientific phenomena. Units include a variety of labs that increase in complexity throughout the unit.  Consistent application of the 5E model as well as labs, questions, and lesson activities provide numerous opportunities for student to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Learning List recently reviewed Edgenuity’s Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Physics courses. These video-based courses address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and are appropriate for blended learning and/or self-paced instruction. However, teacher involvement improves rigor and increases the likelihood of student success.

A guiding question, such as “What is the relationship between hypotheses, theories, and laws?” forms the basis of each lesson. A variety of teachers provide instruction in short video lectures, supported by notes, demonstrations, guided practice, and brief checks for understanding. Some lessons include activities such as using Gizmos to explore Mystery Powder Analysis. Each lesson concludes with a teacher-led review, practice activities, and a short quiz. Each unit ends with a multiple-choice test. [Read more. . . ]

Learning Farm is a supplemental online program that provides instruction and adaptive practice activities that address specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in mathematics, English language arts/reading, and science for students in grades K-8. Instruction is presented in interactive learning activities that support independent practice, review, and preparation for standardized tests. Learning List recently reviewed mathematics resources for grades 3-5.

Learning Farm’s content is organized in “Topics” (e.g., place value, area) that address specific TEKS (e.g., 3.2.A, 3.6.C) and are grouped in terms of TEKS reporting categories (e.g., Numbers and Operations, Geometry and Measurement). Each topic has an optional short lesson that explains concepts using text, mathematical tools (e.g., number lines), and visual models. Lessons include a set of practice questions that students complete independently. [Read more…]