1. Establishment of Need: The textbook being considered is titled To See a
World by Beverly J. Armento, J. Jorge Klor de Alva, Gary B. Nash,
Christopher L. Salter, Louis E. Wilson, and Karen K. Wixson. The textbook was published by the Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, in
1999. This is the third edition of the textbook. The need was based on the fact that the district has just adopted a new curriculum, and the sixth grade social studies emphasis is on world cultures and geography. There is a consensus within the Social Studies Department that the sixth grade students need to broaden their horizons with a better understanding of the world around them.
2. Procedures for Evaluation: The Social Studies Department formed a committee to review five different textbooks, including the textbook that has been recommended. The committee consisted of four sixth grade teachers, one special education teacher, two curriculum supervisors, and two school board members. The committee reviewed each textbook carefully, and reviewed selected materials that had been sent with each respective publisher. After the choice was narrowed down to the textbook that is being recommended, the committee interviewed sixth grade teachers from other area districts that are currently using this textbook.
3. Committee Recommendations: The committee recommends that the school system purchase the textbook To See a World because it is the consensus of the committee members that this textbook will best serve the needs of the sixth grade students.
4. Rationale for Recommendations: The committee recommends that the textbook To See a World be purchased for use in the sixth grade for several reasons. First, the text is bold and relatively easy to understand.
Next, the series offers wonderful supplemental instructional materials for use by the teacher. Thirdly, the textbook offers beautiful real life photographs that coincide beautifully with the test. Next, the textbook offers a numbers of activities that cross into other curriculum areas.
Finally, the textbook fully covers each of the areas contained in the social studies curriculum recently adopted by the district.
5. Basic Information and Projected Costs: This textbook takes an in depth approach to the study of the world. Students are able to take an up close look at the world from the comfort of their classroom. The textbook is available at a cost of $39.95. The supplemental teacher resource pack is available for a cost of $13.97

OTHER TEXTBOOKS CONSIDERED:
Anderson, Douglas. The World and Its People, Silver Burdett Publishing
Company, 1997.
Contains studies of different communities and cultures around the world. I
In addition, contains some basic geography information.
Hogue, Pricilla. World Adventures in Time and Place, Prentice Hall Publishers,
1998.
An overview of the world including cultures, important facts, and geography.
Johnson, Virginia. Geography: The World and Its People, Glencoe Publishers,
1998.
A look at many people and places around the world. Takes a look at world religions, customs, and ideas.
Mathis, Kenneth. World Geography, Silver Burdett Publishers, 1997.
Examines world geography and world cultures, continent by continent.