DIOCESE OF ORLANDO OFFICE OF SCHOOLS

Instructional Materials Summary

Name of Publisher: McGraw Hill (Fla. Edition)

Subject Area: Science

Title of Textbook or Series: McGraw Hill Science

Grade Levels: K – 5 Copyright: 2000 Edition:

RATING KEY: 4-Superior 3-Good 2-Fair 1-Poor 0-Feature Not Present

NA- Not Applicable

OVERVIEW:

A listing of program resources is available by visiting the publisher’s website: www.mhschool.com/science.

CONTENT

A. ALIGNMENT WITH CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS RATING: 3.3

Content must align with the diocesan standards.

Comments: Curriculum aligns with Diocesan standards.

B. LEVEL OF TREATMENT RATING: 3.7

The level of complexity or difficulty of content must be appropriate for the standards, grade level, and student abilities.

Comments: Age appropriate at all levels.

C. EXPERTISE FOR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT RATING: 3.7

Expertise in the content area and in education of the intended students must be reflected in the authors, reviewers, and sources.

Comments: National Geographic co-authored the program.

D. ACCURACY OF CONTENT RATING: 3.8

Content must be accurate in historical context and contemporary facts and concepts.

Comments: Accuracy is excellent.

E. CURRENTNESS OF CONTENT RATING: 3.9

Content must be up-to-date for the academic discipline and the context in which the content is presented.

Comments: Florida topics covered well.

F. AUTHENTICITY OF CONTENT RATING: 3.8

Content should include problem-centered connections to life in a context that is meaningful to the ` students.

Comments:

G. MULTICULTURAL REPRESENTATION RATING: 3.0

Portrayal of gender, ethnicity, age, work situations, and social groups must include multicultural fairness and advocacy.

Comments: “Cultural perspective” sections incorporated.

H. HUMANITY AND COMPASSION RATING: 3.0

Portrayal of the appropriate care and treatment of people and animals must include compassion, sympathy, and consideration of their needs.

Comments: Correlates to Christian values.

TOTAL CONTENT RATING: 3.4

PRESENTATION

A. COMPREHENSIVENESS OF STUDENT AND TEACHER RESOURCES RATING: 3.7

Resources must be complete enough to address the targeted learning outcomes without requiring the teacher to prepare additional teaching materials for the course.

STUDENT RESOURCES Individual Rating: 3.7

Comments: Kindergarten – 6 Big Books, 6 activity notebooks; Grades 1 & 2 – Big Book or individual books, activity cards, picture cards; Grades 3-5 - Mind jogger videos, science newsroom (great); brain power, transparencies in student text and much more.

TEACHER RESOURCES Individual Rating: 3.7

Comments: Test generator, some investigations on videotape, laminated Big Books, K-2

B. ALIGNMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL COMPONENTS RATING: 3.8

All components of the instructional package must align with each other, as well as with the curriculum.

Comments: Correlates with McGraw Hill Reading; cross curricular projects outlined.

C. ORGANIZATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS RATING: 3.7

The structure and format of the materials must have enough order and clarity to allow students and teachers to access content and explicitly identify ideas and sequences.

Comments: Easily accessible materials.

D. READABILITY OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS RATING: 3.0

Narrative and visuals should engage students in reading or listening.

Comments: On grade level; vocabulary in context printed in blue.

E. PACING OF CONTENT RATING: 4.0

The amount of content presented at one time or the pace at which it is presented must be of a size or rate that allows students to perceive and understand it

Comments: Good; inquiry learning activities extend daily pacing.

F. EASE OF USE OF MATERIALS RATING: 3.5

Both print and other media formats of instructional materials must be easy to use and replace and be durable enough for multiple uses over time.

Comments: Great – easy to use; excellent handbook

TOTAL PRESENTATION RATING: 3.7

LEARNING

A. MOTIVATIONAL STRATEGIES RATING: 3.7

Instructional materials must include features to maintain learner motivation.

Comments: Various ability level suggestions throughout chapters.

B. TEACHING A FEW “BIG IDEAS” RATING: 4.0

Instructional materials should thoroughly teach a few important ideas, concepts, or themes.

Comments: Material is thoroughly presented.

C. EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION RATING: 3.7 Instructional materials must contain clear statements of information and outcomes.

Comments: Information is clearly presented.

D. GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT RATING: 3.6

Instructional materials must include guidance and support to help students safely and successfully become more independent learners and thinkers.

Comments: Pupil addition on audiotape; formatting features for struggling readers; “Words to Know” cards for every chapter.

E. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION RATING: 3.9

Instructional materials must engage the physical and mental activity of students during the learning process.

Comments: “Extend Activity” cards and “Science Builder” cards

F. TARGETED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES RATING: 3.5

Instructional materials should include the strategies known to be successful for teaching the learning outcomes targeted in the curriculum requirements.

Comments:

G. TARGETED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES RATING: 3.5

Instructional materials should include assessment strategies known to be successful in determining how well students have achieved the learning outcomes targeted in the curriculum requirements.

Comments: Chapter Review at end of chapter; assessment manual.

TOTAL LEARNING RATING: 3.5

3.5

OVERALL TOTAL RATING:

STRENGTHS:

· Lab activities are relevant and age-appropriate

· Excellent student handbook at back of text

· FCAT practice/Florida masters

· Modules available

· Mind jogger video

CONCERNS:

· Assessment program is somewhat weak.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

Adequate program, but could be more comprehensive. Lab activities in abundance.