Posts by Gare Thompson
Reading aloud instills kids’ love of books
Reading aloud at home is a great learning activity that will help keep your child learning and be a critical thinker! When I first taught kindergarten, I read aloud The Very Hungry Caterpillar every day for two weeks: It was my first time teaching. . The kids in my class loved it and we spent hours discussing…
Read MoreRead MorePersonalized Learning, Critical Thinking, and Formative Assessment: What to Do?
The Trends of Personalized Learning and Critical Thinking Two key curriculum trends are affecting educational publishing: the movement toward personalized learning and the need for critical thinking lessons. Personalized learning is influencing how curriculum is being developed and also how students’ work and learning is being assessed. Since 2012, 15 states have incorporated personalized learning into…
Read MoreRead MoreUpdate on Instructional Materials Adoptions
The adoption market segment remains in flux. A number of trends affect instructional materials development and the adoption of those materials: personalized and competency-based learning the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) implementation of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) continual disruption of digital learning the need for critical thinking and civics lessons the movement of states…
Read MoreRead MoreUpdate on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) continue to impact the science curriculum and how science is taught. The adoption and implementation of NGSS by states provide opportunities to learning companies in content development. Adoption of Next Generation State Standards (NGSS) The map shows the states that have adopted NGSS or have revised their science standards…
Read MoreRead MoreThe Adoption Market
The current adoption market segment remains in flux and is continually adapting and changing. The 19 states that still adopt textbooks in a variety of curriculum areas are loosening their requirements. Some states, such as Florida, have passed laws that allow districts to purchase “off-list” materials. There are many factors disrupting the adoption market. The…
Read MoreRead MoreThe Buzz on Personalized Learning and English Language Arts
According to a report by the nonprofit KnowledgeWorks, personalized learning is a critical component of most states’ accountability plans submitted under ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act). Personalized learning was mentioned in 39 states’ plans. The questions being addressed were “How do we build learning-centered or student-centered systems?” and “How do we advance policies focused on what…
Read MoreRead MoreTomorrow’s Classroom
It’s a new year and it’s time to see what the future may hold. So let’s look at the top educational trends in 2019 and their affects on teachers and students. Two dominant curriculum trends are impacting educational publishing: the movement toward personalized learning and the need for critical thinking lessons. The Personalized Learning Movement…
Read MoreRead MoreThe Shifting Textbook Adoption Market
A recent White House report states that the textbook market is valued at about $7-8 billion, with California, Florida, and Texas being the key adoption states. However, the textbook adoption market is changing. The Old-School Textbook Adoption Buying Pattern In the past, publishers focused most of their textbook development efforts on two states: Texas and…
Read MoreRead MoreELL Students and the Digital Experience
Schools continue to move toward digital lessons and digital experiences for students. Most students are digital natives and are comfortable in this world. However, not all students have equal access. How does the digital revolution affect ELL students? Some ELL students are very comfortable with technology and how it works, while others are using it…
Read MoreRead MoreTo Customize or Not to Customize, That’s the Question
According to a 2016 White House report, the U.S. spends over $1.3 trillion on education expenditures. And the instructional materials market for K-12, which includes state adoptions, is over $19 billion. In large states, such as Texas, it makes sense to customize a national program. With smaller states, a calculation needs to be made: does…
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