Evaluating Social Studies Textbooks (Page one, Continued on page two)
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2
3
4
Standards
100% aligned to
the national
standards, with
some state
standards included
for the entire book
100% Aligned to
both National and
State at the content
standard level for
each chapters
#2 plus does so for
each lesson.
100% Aligned to
the performance
indicator levels of
the MLR and to
the National
standards
#4 plus involves
the students with
the specific
language of
performance
indicators within
the content.
Engaging
Students with
Relevant Content
The school’s grade
level social studies
curriculum
subjects are
emphasized.. The
movement of the
text is clearly
guided by logic as
appropriate themes
and patterns
emerge.
One plus
encourages
students to think
about what they
have learned Each
unit possesses a
systematic
development of
ideas. Topics are
treated in depth.
Two plus guides
students
interpretations and
reasoning The
narrative is lively
in style and rich
with experiences
of people.
Three plus There
is supportive
correspondence
between the
narrative and the
illustrations,
sidebars, and
supporting
biographies, or
primary source
references.
#4 plus Literature
included and
referenced. There
are different genre
of primary sources
included, either as
a complete
reference or in a
meaningful
excerpted passage.
Developing and
Using Social
Studies ideas
Provides a variety
of experiences and
knowledge
The instructional
activities provide
opportunities for
students to be
actively engaged
in the learning
process. They are
varied and include
opportunities to
write.
One plus
introduces terms
meaningfully
using vocabulary
Students of
differing abilities
find opportunities
for success in
learning the
content.
Two plus
represents ideas
effectively
Students have
opportunity to
discuss or debate
ideas presented in
the textbook
Three plus
provides practice
which allows
students to
demonstrate use of
knowledge in a
new context The
questions provided
for students help
them to analyze
the information
and to think
critically; that is,
to reflect,
hypothesize,
analyze, verify,
synthesize.
#4 plus provided a
variety of new
contexts and
incorporates
discovery, inquiry
based,
constructionist
approaches. The
activities provide
for curriculum
integration and
correlation.
Activities become
more challenging
as the year
progresses
Teacher's Edition
The TE
comprehensive,
organized and
useable, it includes
the student edition
(e.g. wraparound)?
Manipulatives,
(and substitute
sugestions)
blackline masters,
overheads,
cumulative review.
practice and extra
practice
oportunities are
available and
organized in a
useful way.
One plus
additional
resources
organized and
useable including
assessment tools
or ideas
One plus reteaching materials
and activities are
available for the
students who
struggle with the
basic skills. and
concepts
Two plus teaching
objectives are
clearly stated.
Answers are
included and the
book is durable.
Three plus
resources and
ideas for adapting
the material to
different ability
groups are
included
#3 plus includes
children’s
literature
suggestion for
reading that is
connected directly
to the social
studies concepts.
#4 plus includes
technology
suggestions (CDROMs, videos,
websites,
computer
programs etc.
#4 plus includes
technology options
(CD-ROMs,
videos, websites,
computer
programs that will
operate on in the
Microsoft
Windows xp
environment.)
Supplementary
materials
Two plus chapter
extenders are
abundantly
available to
horizontally
broaden the
concepts for
students who
master the basic
skills and
concepts quickly.
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Page Two
Continued from
page 1
Assessment
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2
3
4
5
Pre and post unit
bundle
assessments are
available as well
as a followup one
in a standardized
format. Both
formal and
informal
assessment
strategies are
suggested.
One plus format
includes short as
well as extended
responses, the use
of graphic
organizers and
answers requiring
writing reflection
Three plus
alternate forms of
assessment types
are given which
include bundles,
observations, open
ended questions
and performance
assessments
complete with
grading rubrics
#4 plus
Assessment
strategies enable
students to
hypothesize,
analyze, and draw
conclusions about
the subject matter
they are studying.
Engaging
Developmental
Program
Too easy
#3 plus is dynamic
and fun for this
age
#4 plus allows
choice ranges of
either texts or
activities or both
Depth of
Program
Mostly surface
coverage it is more
like exposure that
instructional in
content or process
Concepts and
processes are both
presented at an
appropriate
instructional level
and pace.
#3 plus content
and skills are
sequenced to allow
for implications to
be explored.
#4 plus extends to
doable open ended
challenges
Gut Feeling of the
Reviewer
It rots. I won’t be
able to use much
beyond the scope
and sequence.
Text above grade
level reading
ability or concepts
too complex (for
example content
demanding
conservation of
mass before it is
developmentally
appropriate)
It generally offers
a summary of
concepts with little
explanation or
exploration, the
concepts are
densely packed.
Partly poor, lots of
things that are not
addressed that will
need some major
tweaking to work
for me.
Two plus
assessments are
balanced and give
students the
chance to show
both the concepts
of social studies
and skills (inquiry,
problem solving,
reasoning and
communication)
Formative
assessments are
included.
Text, where
applicable, is
readable at this
grade level. The
concepts are
suitable and the
skills appropriate.
Workable, I could
live with it. It will
take some labor to
adapt to it, but it
would be ok.
I strongly like this
one, I already have
enough material to
adapt smoothly to
it..
I’ll fight for this
one, It is a
wonderful
program
Publisher__________________________________________________________________ grade level______ Score____
Adapted from http://iteslj.org/Articles/Ansary-Textbooks/ & http://www.project2061.org/publications/textbooks ; http://www.historytextbooks.org/review.htm ,and St. Thomas School Staff
Review