PUBLISHER:
SUBJECT:
SPECIFIC GRADE:
COURSE:
TITLE:
COPYRIGHT DATE:
SE ISBN:
TE ISBN:
20010-2015
Life Connections
Grades 11-12
Yes
R-E-S-P-O-N-S-E
No N/A CRITERIA
I. INTER-ETHNIC
The instructional material meets the requirements of inter-ethnic: concepts, content and illustrations, as set by West
Virginia Board of Education Policy (Adopted
December 1970).
II. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The instructional material meets the requirements of equal opportunity: concept, content, illustration, heritage, roles contributions, experiences and achievements of males and females in American and other cultures, as set by West Virginia Board of
Education Policy (Adopted May 1975).
NOTES

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ADOPTION: 21 st CENTURY LEARNING EVALUATION CRITERIA
20010-2015
Life Connections
(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF
CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT
I=In-depth
Grades 11-12
A=Adequate
(IMR Committee) Responses
M=Minimal N=Nonexistent
I A M
In addition to alignment of Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs), materials must also clearly connect to
N
Learning for the 21 st Century which includes opportunities for students to develop
A.
B.
Learning Skills

Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills.

Information and Communication Skills.

Interpersonal and Self-Direction Skills and use these 21 Century Tools
21 st Century Tools

Problem-solving tools (such as spreadsheets, decision support, design tools)

Communication, information processing and research tools (such as word processing, e-mail, groupware, presentation, Web development, Internet search tools)

Personal development and productivity tools (such as e-learning, time management/calendar, collaboration tools)

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ADOPTION: 21 st Century Learning EVALUATION CRITERIA
The general evaluation criteria apply to each grade level and are to be evaluated for each grade level unless otherwise specified. These criteria consist of information critical to the development of all grade levels. In reading the general evaluation criteria and subsequent specific grade level criteria, e.g. means
“examples of” and i.e. means that “each of” those items must be addressed. Eighty percent of the general criteria and eighty percent of the specific criteria must be met with I (In-depth) or A (Adequate) in order to be recommended.
20010-2015
Life Connections
Grades 11-12
(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF
CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT
I=In-depth A=Adequate
(IMR Committee) Responses
M=Minimal N=Nonexistent
I A M
For student mastery of content standards and objectives, the instructional materials will provide students with the opportunity to
A. Multimedia
1. offer appropriate multimedia (e.g., software, audio, visual, internet access) materials.
2. provide a website which provides links to relevant sites as well as lesson plans, student activities and parent resources.
3. integrate technology into the curriculum.
N

B. Scientifically-Based Research Strategies
1. provide explicit instructional strategies to present varied teaching models including but not limited to webbing, mapping, Venn diagrams and inverted pyramids.
2. promote writing skills and study techniques .
3. present varied teaching models with emphasis on differentiated instruction in content, process, and product.
C. Critical Thinking
1. emphasize questioning models to promote higher order thinking skills based on Bloom’s Taxonomy.
2. promote student-generated responses.
D. Life Skills
1. address life skills (e.g., health related concepts, goal setting, application to career oriented goals, reference tools, and researching).
2. address habits of mind activities (e.g., literacy skills, interpersonal communications, problem solving, and self-directional skills).

E. Classroom Management
1. include opportunities for large group, small group, and independent learning.
2. provide classroom management suggestions.
3. provide suggestions for differentiated instruction (e.g., practice activities, learning stations, assessment, lesson plans).
F. Instructional Materials
1. address varied learning styles and multiple intelligences of students by including models.
2. provide extensive and varied opportunities to practice skills.
3. provide intervention, practice, and enrichment materials.
4. continue skill or strategy instruction across several instructional sessions to expand the applicability and utility of the skill or strategy.
5. connect previously taught skills and strategies with new content and text.
6. cumulatively build a repertoire of multiple strategies that are introduced, applied, and integrated throughout the course of study.

G. Assessment
1. provide opportunities for assessment based on performance-based measures, open-ended questioning, portfolio evaluation, rubrics, and multimedia simulations.
2. provide on-going progress monitoring.
3. provide rubric-based differentiated assessment.
Life Connections
Grades 11-12
Life Connections will enable students to develop skills for assuming their role in society as productive, successful individuals. Through integrated, project-based learning founded on real-life situations and issues, by utilizing basic skills and higher order thinking skills, the student will learn management problem techniques, resource management, communication skills, and skills in relationships. The course helps students develop competence in setting and achieving personal goals, in examining career options, in handling their current and future jobs and careers, in meeting basic needs, and in managing finances. They will learn to use skills in critical and creative thinking, management, communication, and leadership to solve problems and make decisions. Students will utilize problem solving techniques, and teachers should provide each student with real world learning opportunities and instruction. Students will participate in a local student organization. The West Virginia Standards for 21 st Century Learning include the following components: 21 st
Century Content Standards and 21 st Century Learning Skills and Technology Tools. All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools, and content standards and objectives.

Standard: 1 Leadership, Citizenship, and Teamwork Skills
Students will demonstrate leadership, citizenship, and teamwork skills required for success in the family, workplace, and global community.
Standard : 2 Effective Communication Skills
Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
Standard: 3 Management of Financial Resources
Students will demonstrate management of financial resources to meet goals.
Standard: 4 Responsibility for Personal Wellness
Students will examine responsibility for personal wellness.
Standard: 5 Strategies for Life and Career Success
Students will integrate strategies for life and career success.
Standard: 6 Integrating Multiple Life Roles
Students will integrate multiple life roles and responsibilities in family, career, and community settings.
Standard: 7 Resource Management Skills
Students will develop resource management skills.
Standard: 8 Employability Skills
Students will develop employability skills.
Standard: 9 Participating in the student organization
Students will participate in a student organization.
Standard: 10 Literacy and Numeracy
Students will demonstrate the literacy and numeracy skills required to solve complex, real-world problems associated with their career/technical content area and improve their thinking and reasoning skills.

Standard: 11 21st Century Learning Skills
The student will

access and manipulate information for use in oral, written, or multimedia format using appropriate technology skills.

apply sound reasoning processes to solve complex real-world problems and develop new ideas.

exhibit leadership and ethical behavior in planning and executing tasks, as an individual or a group member.
Standard: 12 Entrepreneurship Skills
Students will access the opportunities, concepts, processes, and personal traits/behaviors associated with successful entrepreneurial performance.

(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF
CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT
I=In-depth A=Adequate
(IMR Committee) Responses
M=Minimal N=Nonexistent
I A M N
A. Leadership, Citizenship, and Teamwork Skills
1. assess factors involved in successful leadership skills, citizenship traits, and teamwork traits.
2. apply leadership, citizenship, and teamwork skills as an integral part of classroom activities.
B. Effective Communication Skills
1. summarize barriers to effective communication.
2. practice skills used to communicate with clients and coworkers.
3. implement guidelines for effective written communication
(letters, reports, email).
4. apply effective communication skills to family, work, and community situations.
5. evaluate components of healthy relationships.

6. examine strategies for initiating, maintaining, and ending personal and work related relationships.
B. Management of Financial Resources
1. demonstrate financial planning strategies that reflect needs, wants, standards, goals, and economic resources.
2. determine financial practices that foster economic selfsufficiency for individuals and families.
3. apply decision making processes to financial planning, budgeting, banking, and record keeping.
4. analyze costs and benefits of required and optional payroll deductions.
5. demonstrate strategies for preparing tax reports.
6. assess types and sources of credit and their impacts on the financial well-being of individuals and families.
7.
determine the effects of various risk management strategies on long-term financial well-being, including savings, investments, and insurance.
D. Responsibility for Personal Wellness
1. compare sources of stress and stress management techniques.
2. develop skills for dealing with crisis.
3. analyze risk-taking behaviors.

4. analyze factors contributing to a safe and healthy environment.
5. develop a plan for personal fitness.
E. Strategies for Life and Career Success
1. implement decision making and goal setting processes.
2. demonstrate problem solving skills.
3. practice appropriate etiquette and social skills.
4. practice personal grooming and hygiene.
5. assess professional dress.
6.
demonstrate successful study skills.
F. Integrating Multiple Life Roles
1. assess impacts of multiple life roles and responsibilities on various types of relationships.
2. analyze responsible ways of behaving and relating to others in family, career, and community settings.
3. analyze interrelationships among family, career, and community roles and responsibilities.
4. investigate career paths in relation to personal aptitudes, interests, standards, and desired lifestyle.
5. examine civic responsibilities, such as volunteerism and exercising personal rights.

G. Resource Management Skills
1. summarize resources available to individuals.
2. apply the decision making process to resource management.
3. examine changing financial needs of individuals and families.
4. examine consumer issues.
5. prepare a financial plan.
6. examine emotional reactions to the use of money.
7. demonstrate strategies for time management.
8. analyze the influence of resource availability on human behavior, human learning, and human health.
H. Employability Skills
1. develop a plan to achieve employment goals.
2. assess factors that contribute to successful performance at work.
3. discuss how social skills are helpful in obtaining and maintaining a job.
4. practice the use of technology as related to occupations.
5. practice continuous improvement procedures for the workplace.

6. discuss work ethics.
7. examine legal issues in the workplace.
8. develop strategies to address harassment issues.
9. discuss elements of professionalism.
10. examine skills needed for changing workforce demands.
I. Participating in the student organization
1. identify the purposes and goals of the student/professional organization.
2. explain the benefits and responsibilities of participation in student/professional/civic organization.
3. demonstrate leadership skills through participation in student/professional/civic organization activities such as meetings, programs, and projects.
J. Literacy and Numeracy
1. utilize a variety of technical sources (e.g., Internet, manuals, journals, directions, reports, etc.) to complete career/technical assignments and projects.
2. demonstrate writing skills required to complete career/technical assignments and projects.
3. demonstrate accuracy in calculating and measuring graphical work required to complete career/technical assignments and projects.

4. analyze tables, charts, graphs and multiple data sources to complete career/technical assignments and projects.
K. 21 st Century Learning Skills
1. search online using a range of technology tools and media to access relevant information needed for problem solving.
2. create information for oral, written, and multimedia communications, adhering to copyright laws.
3. engage in problem solving and critical thinking processes to create and evaluate complex strategies in order to independently solve problems.
4. adapt to new situations by considering multiple perspectives and a commitment to continued learning.
5. exhibit ethical behavior and positive leadership while working collaboratively in the school and/or community.
6. model legal and ethical behaviors in the use of technology.