Truth in Texas Textbooks Review
Publisher/Publication/Year: Centage-National Geographic/World Cultures and Geography/2015
Editor/Consultant: Dr. Sandra Alfonsi
Problem: Bias (B), Omission of Fact (OF), Half-Truth (HT), Factual Error (FE)
Page #/Line #
1.
2.
3.
Quote
Connect to NG
ePals
eMentors for
Common Core
User Agreement
Common Core is illegal in the State of Texas. This
Text is written for the Common Core Curriculum.
Program Consultants
v.
Reviewers of
Religious Content.
Shabbir Mansuri, Institute on Religion and Civic
Values, Fountain Valley, California.
Problem
Fact & Source

This book should not be accepted on this entry alone.

Omitted is that Mansuri founded the Council on
Islamic Education before changing its name to Institute
on Religious and Civic Values.(IRCV)
http://www.ircv.org/who-we-are/history/
Omitted is that the IRCV proselytizes for Islam in the
public schools and excludes Islam’s violent jihadist
characteristics
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.
asp?grpid=7617
Omitted is that Mansuri is endorsed by Hamassupporting Muslim Brotherhood organization Council
on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.
asp?grpid=7617
Teacher must sign (accept) a legal agreement
before he/she is allowed to access this textbook.
OF/B





4.
Connect to NG
NG Current Events
News
Getting Rich off
Global Warming
It’s easy to get depressed about Climate Change.
B


6th grade students should not be exposed to
“depression” about Climate Change.
Climate Change is a theory and is promoted as fact
throughout this textbook
1
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Teachers Resources
Select Unit 1
Ch. 1.1-1.2
NG Photo Gallery
Student
Miami, Fla
Teachers Resources
Select Unit 1
Ch. 1.1-1.2
NG Photo Gallery
Student
Rescue from Katrina
Teachers Resources
Select Unit 1 Ch 2
1.2-1.3
Student
Teachers Resources
Select unit 1 Ch 2
2.5-2.6
Student
Barataria Bay, LA
Teachers Resources
Select Unit 1 Ch 2
3.1-3.2
NG Photo Galary
Student
Inuit hunter, Canada
Teachers Resources
Select Unit 1 Ch. 2
2.1-3.2
NG Photo Galary
Student
The Blue Mosque
Turkey
Picture of Miami, FL coastline. Caption under
picture: More than two-thirds of the city’s
population is Hispanic, and half of that group is of
Cuban descent.
OF

No facts explaining why this is so.
Picture of Man knee deep in water. Caption reads:
About 1,800 people died in the hurricane or in its
aftermath. Many people were critical of the U.S.
Governments response to the disaster.
OF


No facts to explain “Many people”
No facts to explain why people were critical of the
U.S. Governments response.
Picture of Mosque and farming villages, great Rift
Valley, Eritrea
B

Eritrea has both Islam and Christianity as primary
religions. Therefore there could also be a picture of a
Christian church.
Picture of an oil spill. Caption reads: killed or
injured thousands of marine animals, and cost the
gulf coast billions of dollars in damages and
losses.
OF

No facts or statistics to verify these statements
Picture of a beautifully dressed hunter. Caption
says: Most Inuit no longer follow their traditional
ways.
OF

No facts to back up this statement
Photo of Blue Mosque
B, OF

The lack of photos of churches eliminates the history
of Christianity in Turkey.
“Although Turkey is now 98-99% Muslim, there are
still major historical Christian churches in Istanbul.
Among them are: The Saint Antony Church, The Saint
Antony Church, The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate,
Surp Kirkor Lusarovic Armenian Orthodox Church
and Virgin Mary Suryani Church. Any one of these
would provide the student with examples of Turkish
architecture as well as some of the history of
Christianity in Turkey.”
http://www.greatistanbul.com/church.htm

2




11.
12.
Teachers
Resources Select
Unit 1 Ch. 2
3.3-3.4
Student
NG Photo Galary
House of
Representatives
Connect to NG
Videos
For Kids
Our Ocean
conference with
secretary of state
John Kerry
Picture of Session meeting. Caption reads: The
President gives the state of the union address each
year before a joint session of Congress. This ritual
is more of a tradition than a requirement,
Must allow the website to store information on my
personal computer in order to view this video.
OF



No pictures of synagogues. This totally eliminates the
history of the Jews in Turkey which predates the
history of both Christianity and Islam in Asia Minor.
There are a number of notable synagogues in Istanbul
whose pictures could have been included. Among them
are: Neve Shalom Synagogue, Ahrida Synagogue,
Yanbol Synagogue.
There has been a Jewish community in Turkey (Asia
Minor) since the 4th century B.C. such as in Sardis.
According to the Old Testament, the prophet Abraham
was born in Ur in Chaldea. Near the Euphrates (Firat)
river, there is a historic and ancient city called
Sanliurfa whose initial name was Ur. Jewish
communities in Asia Minor continued to prosper
throughout the Turkish conquest under Seljuks and
Ottomans. Today Turkey's total Jewish population is
around 26,000 (the second largest Jewish community
in a Muslim country, being the first is Iran), with a
great majority living in Istanbul.
http://www.allaboutturkey.com/jews.htm
http://www.wittistanbul.com/magazine/the-jewishcommunity-and-notable-synagogues-in-istanbul/
No explanation as to why this has become a ritual
President Washington started this ritual and every
president since then has taken up the tradition out of
respect.
Should not have to allow the website to store
information on my personal computer in order to view
a video.
3
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Connect to NG
Click on Any country
Top Line
Videos
How to Survive the
end of the World
Connect to NG
Click Any Country
Top Line
Animals
Videos
Connect to NG
Click Any Country
Top Line
Environment
Global Warming
Connect to NG
Click Any Country
Top Line
Environment
Global Warming
(Causes) Par 1 Line 3
Connect to NG
Click Any Country
Top Line
Environment
Global Warming
(Effects)
Connect to NG
Click Any Country
Top Line
Environment
Global Warming
(Science)
Titles of videos inside “How to Survive the end of
the World”:
 Conventional Weapons vs Nano Robots
 It will Rain for the next 300 years
 Is there anything we can do?
 Everything will Fall down.
 Ashes to ashes
 A very dark universe
Titles of videos inside the “Animals” heading:
 Are Mites having sex on my face?
 World’s Deadliest Grizzly bear
 World’s Deadliest: Gelada vs Gelada
 World’s Deadliest: Kangaroo Kickboxing
The Current cycle of Global Warming is changing
the rhythms of climate that all living things have
come to rely upon.
B


Negative propaganda bombarding the minds of 6th
grade American children
Before EVERY video the student must watch a 30-60
second advertisement.
Website touts 1000’s of videos
B

Same as previous
FE

Global Warming is still a theory and this textbook
promotes it as fact
“But the amount and pattern of warming that’s
been measured can’t be explained by these factors
alone”
OF

No facts given regarding the amounts and patterns of
warming measured.
13 bullets listing current effects of Global
Warming. Examples below
 Ice is melting worldwide
 Bill Fraser has tracked the decline of the
Adelie Penguine
 Sea level rise became faster over the last
century
 Precipitation (rain and snow) has increased
across the globe, on average
What is Global Warming? “While we struggle to
figure it out, the face of the earth as we know it –
coasts, forests, farms and snow-capped mountains
– hangs in the balance.”
OF

No facts with any of these bullets. Only statements
OF

Establishing fear in our children without any facts to
allow the student to make his/her own decision.
“hangs in the balance”??


4
Par 3 Line 2
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.


What evidence? No “strong” evidence given.
This remains controversial because there are no facts
to back this up.
Why are economics, sociology and politics important
factors in planning for the future?
Connect to NG
Click Any Country
Top Line
Environment
Global Warming
(Solutions)
Par 1 All
Connect to NG
Click Any Country
Top Line
Environment
Global Warming
(Solutions)
Par 7 Line 3
Connect to NG
Click North America
United States
Fast Facts
Religion
Student
Unit 1 Chapter 1
Pages 12-13
What Can We do? The evidence that humans are
causing global warming is strong, but the question
of what to do about it remains controversial.
Economics, sociology and politics are all
important factors in planning for the future.
OF
Increasing forest lands and making changes to the
way we farm, could increase the amount carbon
we are storing
OF


“could” does not represent facts.
Changes from what to what?
Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish
OF

This part of the website has chosen to identify two
different Christian Religions without using the word
Christian.
Geography is more than names of places on a
map. It involves “Spatial Thinking”, or thinking
about the space on earth’s surface.
HT


“space” is equated with air and atmosphere.
Better word would be “land”
Student
Unit 1 Ch1
Pg 14 Column 2
#3-HumanEnvironmental
Interaction
Student
Unit 1 Ch1
Page 15 Column 1
#5, Environment and
Society
Human-Environmental Interaction explains how
people affect the environment and the
environment affects people.
OF

Just a statement made with no facts to explain the
meanings
How do people affect the environment and how does
the environment affect people?
Geographers explore how humans change the
environment and use resources
OF




Here Geographers explore how humans change the
environment but there is still no explanation or facts
given to explain.
All humans use resources and so far the textbook has
not identified to the student what a resource is.
5
25.
26.
27.
Student
Unit 1 Ch 2
Page 34
Revolution and
Rotation
Par 2 Line 1
Student
Unit 1 Ch2
Section 2
Page 48
Tornados
Par 1 Lines 1-5
Student
Unit 1 Ch2 Section 2
Page 49
Scientific Solutions
Par 1 Line 6
The Solar system is formed by sun, Earth and
seven other planets. Earth is three planets from the
sun
OF

Why not name all the planets here.
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina raced
toward New Orleans, LA. The water level in the
gulf of Mexico rose 34 feet and flooded 80% of
the city. Thousands of people lost their homes and
many businesses were destroyed.
OF

No mention of homes which were built below sea
level.
Many residents of New Orleans believe that better
levees might have limited damage caused by
flooding after Hurricane Katrina
OF


Many does not represent facts
Is the author guessing when they say “better levees
might have limited damage”?
Only one example is given as to what might have
limited damage. The student only has one choice to
choose from.
There are many interviews with victims of Hurricane
Katrina which would substantiate the quoted material.
No facts to explain why such poverty exists.
Oil is the first resource discussed in this chapter of
natural resources


28.
29.
30.
31.
Student
Unit 1 Ch2 Section 2
Page 50
Natural resources
Par 1 Line 1
Student
Unit 1 Ch2 Section 2
Page 52
Natural Habitats
Par 2 Line 4
Student
Unit 1 Ch2 Section 2
Page 53
Habitat Loss and
Restoration
Par 1 Line 7
Student
Unit 1 Ch2 Section 2
Page 54
Worlds Oceans
Natural resources are an important part of
everyday life, get countries with a large supply are
not always wealthy. Nigeria, for example, is a
major supplier of oil, but 7 out of 10 Nigerians
live in poverty.
African elephants’ habitats are grasslands and
forests. Unfortunately, much of this land is being
turned into farms and villages to feed and house
Africa’s growing human population.
OF


B

The destruction of one ecosystem affects all the
others. For example, many scientists believe the
destruction of rain forests habitats has led to
changes in earth climate.
Earle has witnessed a huge drop in the number of
fish in the ocean.

Text is implying with the use of the word
“unfortunately” that the elephant is more important
than the human beings.
Eliminate the word “Unfortunately”
FE


No substantial facts to make this claim
Climate change is a Theory
OF

Very vague statement with no facts to substantiate this.
6
Par 2 Line 4
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
Student
Unit 1 Ch2
Page 55
Mission Blue
Par 1 Line 1
Student
Unit 1 Ch2 Section 2
Page 55
Reading tab
Question #2
Student
Unit 1 Ch2
Page 61
Religions and Belief
systems
Student
Unit 1 Ch2
Page 64
Political Geography
Par 1 Line 1
Student
Unit 1 Ch2
Page 65
Political Geography
Types of
Governments
First Bullet
Line 8
Student
Unit 2 Ch3
Page 76-77
Click of Camera
Picture of Denver,
CO
Many people believe human activity has no effect
on the vast oceans. They also do not understand
the impact oceans have on all forms of life.
OF


Who are many people?
Dr. Earle the only person who understands this?
Analyze cause and effect: How has human activity
affected the world’s oceans? Use a chart like the
one below to list some of the causes and effects of
these activities.
OF

Not enough facts given in this section to allow the
student to adequately answer this question
Religions have also spread due to work of
missionaries, people who convert others to follow
their religion.
OF


Poor choice of the word “convert”
Religions spread because people accept the teachings
unlike Islam which converts by conquest.
How is trash collection related to the protection of
Free speech? Both are responsibilities of
Government. A Government is an organization
that keeps order, sets rules, and provides services
for a society.
The United States was the first modern country to
establish a representative democracy.
OF


What countries governments are being discussed here?
Comparing Trash collection to Free speech?
FE

The United States formed a “Constitutional Republic”
Caption reads: Denver is the home of the state’s
government, various sports teams….
HT

Denver is the Capitol of Colorado.

7
38.
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. p80. Para 3.
Lines 5-7
Plowing of native prairie grasses that helped hold
the soil contributed to soil erosion, and the plains
became known as the “Dust Bowl”.
FE and
OF


39.
Student
Unit 2 Ch 3
Page 81 Section 1.2
Para 1
Map and comments
40.
Student
Unit 2 Ch 3
Page 81 Section 1.2
Questions #2
Student
Unit 2 Ch 3
Page 82
Section 1.2
Landforms and
Climate Par 3 Line 5
Student
Unit 2 Ch 3
Page 82 Section 1.2
Resources and
Conservation
Par 1 All
Student
Unit 2 Ch 3
Page 82 Section 1.2
Resources and
Conservation
Par 2
Student
Unit 2 Ch 3
Page 82 Section 1.2
Resources and
Conservation
41.
42.
43.
44.
Plowing of just native prairie grasses was not the cause
of the erosion and Dust Bowl. It was also caused by
plowing of crops. It was created by a combination of
factors including drought, rising temperatures and lack
of dryland farming techniques
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green
-science/dust-bowl-cause.htm
“risky” does not represent facts
Blank statement with No facts to explain how human
error was involved.
Commercial drilling in the Gulf of Mexico is
risky. Oil deposits lie beneath layers of salt that
can shift and cause an underwater earthquake. In
2010 human error caused an explosion of a large
deepwater drilling structure, resulting in a major
oil spill.
2. Human environment interaction: Identify two
commercial activities that have modified the
environment in the Great Plains
OF


OF

The best known canyon is the Grand Canyon in
the southwestern United States. Formed over
hundreds of millions of years, it is 277 miles in
length and up to 18 miles wide.
OF


Varying climates contribute to a varied supply of
resources. The Great Basin and the mountain
ranges that surround it contain important mineral
deposits.
OF

Water for human use is in short supply in the
southwestern United States. The population there
has grown rapidly in recent years, and the demand
for water has increased in this already dry area.
OF


Omission of the name of the states being referred to.
Omission of why the population “there” has grown
rapidly when there is a shortage of water.
Make inferences: What does the shortage of
certain resources mean for the people who live in
the West?
OF

Not enough facts or information in this text to form a
conclusion



The only commercial activity discussed in this section
is farming.
Leading student to say Farming modifies the
environment.
Omitting that the Grand Canyon is in Nevada
Subject is the Grand Canyon and author omits the
depth of the Canyon.
This one paragraph is the entire discussion of
Resources and conservation.
No mention of what kinds of resources
No mention of what kinds of important mineral
deposits.
8
Before you Move On
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. p 83. Para 2,
Lines 8-9
Student
Unit 2 Ch 3
Page 88
2.1 Exploration and
Colonization
Europe meets native
America
Para2 Line 3
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. p. 90, Para 2
[ignore the last
phrase]
However, dams can also cause problems such as
excess soil erosion.
OF

Settlers carried diseases such as smallpox, which
the native people could not fight. Disease killed a
large percentage of certain Native American
populations.
OF




OF


Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. p. 92, Para 2,
Lines 8-13
OF
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. p. 92, Para 4,
Lines 5-8,
OF




Omitted is that soil erosion caused by dams can be
very much limited by using modern dam construction
technology.
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/czara/ch6-3a.cfm
Who are these Native Americans? Are they Indians?
No mention that the Indians also had diseases that
spread among the settlers.
“large percentage” does not represent facts
“certain Native American populations” does not
represent facts.
Omitted is that France never had a colonial settlement
policy in N. America. French colonies were based on
trade with the Mother country and proselytizing
Christianity.
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/do
cs/French_colonization_of_the_Americas.html
Omitted is that they dressed like Indians to let the
British know they were Americans, not British.
http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/the-secret-plan
Omitted is mention of Paul Revere’s ride and
Longfellow’s famous poem.
Facts will stand out better in young student’s minds if
accompanied by colorful episodes, or drama, or
anecdotes.
9
50.
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. p. 92-3, Para 59
51.
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp 92-3
Para 7. Last sentence.
The American Revolution had created the United
States of America.
OF


Omitted are equality, Creator and pursuit of happiness.
The content of the Declaration is not discussed until
p.274!
FE

The Treaty of Paris did not create the United States of
America. It recognized colonies represented by a
Continental Congress. The United States of America
was created by the Constitutional Convention
http://www.history.com/topics/americanrevolution/treaty-of-paris
The only factor mentioned is French help. Omitted are
all others.

52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp 92-3
Last Para
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp 94-5, Para 2,
Lines 1-2
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp 95,
In 1789 American leaders me to begin writing a
new constitution,

FE


Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp.98-9, Para 2.
Beginning
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp.100-101.
Para. 6
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
OF
OF

OF


The convention was called to improve the Articles of
Confederation, not to write a new Constitution.
http://www.answers.com/Q/Why_was_the_Constitutio
nal_Convention_of_1787_called
Omitted is that our form of government is a Republic
with elected representatives.
Lincoln did not cause the war. His election was a
proximate cause.
Even a simplified history for 6th Grade can list other
causes.
[Reviewer’s comment: This Para is about the Cold
War, Soviet Union and US. No leader is
mentioned.]
OF

Omitted are names of significant leaders, e.g. Reagan,
Gorbachev.
[This Para is about 9/11 and the war in
Afghanistan.]
B, OF

Terrorism is not identified as Islamic. The word
“Islam” is not used at all.
10
Hist. pp.100-101.
Para. 7
58.
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp.100-101. pp
106-7. First Header
OF


59.
60.
61.
62.
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp.108-9,
Para 3.
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp.108-9,
Picture superimposed
on Timeline
Chap 3. No.
American Geog &
Hist. pp.110-11
[This paragraph discusses the Alamo, Santa Anna
and San Jacinto and omits mention of Bowie,
Crockett and Houston.]
[These 2 pages are about the Mexican Revolution
and include a large picture of Pancho Villa. There
is no mention of Emilio Zapata]
Chap 4. No. America
Today. pp. 122-3
OF

OF

OF


OF


63.
Chap 4. No. America
Today. pp 124-5
64.
Chap 4. No. America
Today. pp 128-9.
Para 2, Lines 3-5
All income from a nationalized industry goes to
the government.
Omitted is that Mexicans resented increasingly high
taxes imposed by Mexican rulers and opposed the new
Bonaparte-controlled Spain’s anticipated influence
over Mexico.
http://www.historynet.com/mexican-war-ofindependence-father-miguel-hidalgos-revolt.htm
The paragraph is too bare-bones without inclusion of
American del Norte heroes, particularly for Texas
students. Crockett and Houston are mentioned in
pictures in the Digital Library
There are only these words referencing the Treaty,
with no definition of what it was.
Zapata contributed to the Revolution as much as Villa
and needs to be included.
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/themexicanre
volution/p/08zapatabio.htm
Other experts say the US has enough oil to last for
several hundred years.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/28/d
eliberately-making-americans-poorer/
FE

It is an error to say that only Canada, not the US, has
the citizen right to be protected against race or gender
discrimination. Our Civil Rights Act of 1964 and
subsequent laws give these protections in the US.
FE

Failure to distinguish income from profit, or net
income from gross income. Gross income is used to
pay costs, including wages.
11
65.
Chap 4. No. America
Today. pp 128-9.
Para 4. Last sentence.
OF

Omitted is what NAFTA’s supporters say.
66.
Chap 4. No. America
Today. pp 134-5.
Para 4
OF


There are certain exemptions for disability and age.
http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenshipthrough-naturalization/exceptions-accommodations
67.
Chap 4. No. America
Today. pp 134-5.
Para 6. Lines 1-2
To become naturalized an applicant must give up
loyalty to other nations,
OF

Student
Unit 3 Chapter 5
Pg 142
Central America
Par 1 Line 10
Student
Unit 3 Ch5
Pg 144
Earthquakes and
Volcanoes
Par 5 Line 6
Tropical Rain Forests - Heavily wooded forests
that may receive more than 100 inches of rain per
year – provide resources that boost the economy.
OF

Omitted is that the US also allows dual citizenship in a
limited number of circumstances
http://www.legallanguage.com/legal-articles/dualcitizenship-united-states/
No mention of what resources that boost the economy.
Donations poured in from around the world in an
international effort to help Haiti to recover and
rebuild.
OF

68.
69.



70.
Student
Unit 3 Ch5
Pg 146
Rainforests of
Central America
Par 2 Line 4
A rain forest is an individual ecosystem, a place
where plants and animals rely on the environment
to survive.
HT

UN claims 1.6 billion was donated from around the
world but 1.4 billion of that was from the U.S.
After the Jan. 12 disaster, donations from the United
States alone numbered $1.4 billion in just a year. Yet
today problems still exist — greatly because the
money never got to enough people in need.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/1-4-billionaiding-haiti-article-1.1239004
Plants and animals rely on the environment to survive
in ANY given ecosystem, not just rainforests.
12
71.
Student
Unit 3 Ch5
Pg 152
Trade across
Continents
Par 3 Line 6
As large numbers of native people died from
disease, Spanish settlers had to search elsewhere
for the workers they needed to farm their cash
crops. So after minerals and raw materials arrived
in Spain, manufactured goods went to Africa to
pay for slaves, beginning more than 300 years of
slavery.
OF




72.
73.
74.
75.
Student
Unit 3 Ch6
Pg 164
Impact of Tourism
Par 4 All
Student
Unit 3 Ch6
Pg 164
Impact of Tourism
Par 7 Before you
Move On
Student
Unit 3 Ch6
Pg 174
Feeding Central
America
Impact on Food
Supply
Par 4 Line 1
Student
Unit 3 Ch6
Pg 177
Migration and the
Caribbean
Par 1 Line 7
Native people not identified as Indians.
Who sent the manufactured goods to Africa?
The Spanish took the first African captives to the
Americas from Europe as early as 1503, and by 1518
the first captives were shipped directly from Africa to
America. The majority of African captives were
exported from the coast of West Africa, some 3,000
miles between what is now Senegal and Angola, and
mostly from the modern Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/abolition/africa_a
rticle_01.shtml
Overnight tourists use a great deal of electricity
OF
and consume vast amounts of food and water. This
causes shortages for the local people. Large resorts
and cruise ships release pollution into the air and
water, which threatens marine life.
Monitor Comprehension: In what ways does
OF
tourism affect the regions income and resources?


Student has only been given the negative aspects of
tourism to this region. No comparisons given.
Today, climate change adds a new threat to the
food supply. Climate scientists predict that Global
Warming will cause more extreme weather
patterns
B/OF

Author is telling the student to fear because of climate
change.
Author is forcing the theory of global warming onto
the student.
Jamaica receives more than $79 million in official
aid, or money from other governments or
organizations.
OF




No explanation as to HOW “overnight tourists” cause
these things.
“great deal”, “vast amounts”, “causes shortages” do
not represent facts.
No mention of what governments are supplying aid.
Great place to identify what countries are supplying
financial aid and how much
13
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
Student
Unit 3 Ch6
Pg 179
Conserving the Rain
Forest
Par 4 Line 7
Student
Unit 3 Ch6
Pg 181
Interpret Charts
Student
Unit 4 Ch 7
Pg 198-199
Rain Forests and
Climate Change
Main Idea
Student
Unit 4 Ch 7
Pg 207
The Spanish in South
America
Student
Unit 4 Ch 8
Pg 235
Impact of the
Olympics
Picture on page
Student
Unit 4 Ch 8
Pg 238
Sports and Olympics
Home Advantage Par
1 Line 8
Student
Unit 4 Ch 8
Pg 241
TEKS Project
Predict
Par1 Line 5
However, even ecotourists can have a negative
impact. If too many ecotourists visit a single
location, they can interfere with habitat there.
International conservation organizations have
become involved in ecotouristism.
OF
Percent living below poverty line.


No mention as to how ecotourists would interfere with
habitat.
What International conservation organizations have
become involved?
OF


No explanation as to what Poverty means.
Who are these countries being compared to and why?
The health of the Amazon Rain forest can
influence climate change across the globe.
FE

Climate Change is still a theory and has no business
being discussed in a textbook for 6th grade American
Children.
Missionaries who arrived after the 1550s viewed
South America as an opportunity to spread
Christianity. The goal was to convert, or persuade
native populations to change their religious
beliefs. Some conversions were forced.
The Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado
Mountain overlooks Rio de Janeiro.
B

Christianity is not a religion that is known for forcing
people to convert.
Author needs to explain the statement “Some
conversions were forced.”
Awesom
e Picture

Wonderful picture and commentary as to where the
next Olympics in 2016 are to be held.
Four years earlier at the summer games in Athens,
Greece, China had won only 63 medals.
OF


Delete the word “only”.
Author implies 63 medals is not many!
Predict how a future discovery or innovation could
have a positive impact on:
 A social problem such as poverty or
inequality.
OF

Inequality has not been discussed in this Unit or this
chapter.
The sentence wants the positive impact yet asks the
negative.


14
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
Student
Unit 5 Chapter 9
Pg 245
Map – click on
cameras
Student
Unit 5 Ch 9
Pg 252
Protecting the
Mediterranean
Under the Sea
Par 2 Line 9
Student
Unit 5 Ch 9
Pg 261
The Republic of
Rome
Par 6 Line 9
Student
Unit 5 Ch 9
Pg 268
Exploration and
Colonolization
European
Exploration
Par 1 Line 5
Student
Unit 5 Ch 9
Pg 278
World War II and the
Cold War
Main Idea
Student
Unit 5 Ch 9
Pg 278
World War II and the
Cold War
The Cold War
Par 3 Line 4
Camera over Spain: Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Caption reads: …a palace used by the Muslim
rulers of Granada, Spain, in the 13th and 14th
centuries.
B

The third is overdevelopment, which has occurred
as coastal populations have grown. Growing
populations have added to the Mediterranean’s
pollution, and the erosion, or wearing away, of its
coast line.
OF



…tensions began to grow between patricians and
plebeians. These tensions triggered a war between
the two groups. The war set the stage for the end
of the Roman Republic-
OF
They also wanted people in other lands to convert,
or change their religion, to Christianity.
OF

The Cold War developed between the democratic
United States and the communist Soviet Union.
FE

The United States is a Constitutional Republic and nowhere in our Constitution will you find reference to a
“democracy”
In 1991 the Soviet Union itself collapsed. The
Cold War ended and democracy replaced
communism throughout Eastern Europe.
OF

No explanation as to what caused the Soviet Union to
collapse.
No comparison of democracy and communism for the
student to understand why communism collapsed.




This is the 1st picture you click on of 11 different
pictures; all pictures except this one depict a beautiful
scene or a common recognizable building.
Example: Spain – The Arc de Triomf
Recommend a “Bull Fight”
No explanation as to how, when a population grows, it
leads to erosion and wearing away of its coast line?
Populations are going to grow, so it appears the answer
may be in education!
Text gives only 1 reason for the end of the Roman
Republic.
Our American students could learn a lot about our own
government from the Roman Republic and the Roman
Empire. Why it was successful for so long and why it
fell
Christian missionaries were among the people who
came over in ships from Europe.
15
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
Student
Unit 5 Ch 10
Pg 299
Changing
Demographics
New Citizenship
Roles
Par 1 Line 9
Student
Unit 5 Ch 10
Pg 299
Challenges of
Immigration
Par 1 Line 9
National Geographic
World Cultures and
Geography/Texas
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Section 1
Page 315 Para1
Lines 11-13
National Geographic
World Cultures and
Geography/Texas
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Section 1.4
Page 316 Para 2
Lines 2-3
National Geographic
World Cultures and
Geography/Texas
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Page 322
2nd Column Par 1
Lines 4-6
They have the opportunity to vote in free, multiparty elections, for example, and the right to speak
out against government polcies. They also have
responsibilities, which for citizens in Western
Europe are similar to those of the United States.
OF

No facts explaining the “responsibilities” they have
when comparing the 2 countries
Europeans would like to see the Muslim
immigrants assimilate, or be absorbed into their
society’s culture. They believe the immigrants
should adopt European traditions and values.
Others believe a more multicultural approach is
better. This approach encourages tolerance and
embraces all cultures.
As a result, the resources in these areas of Siberia
remain largely untouched.
OF

Who are the “others” who believe a more multicultural
approach is better?
This approach does not encourage tolerance and is
proven throughout history not to be successful.

OF


They (other scientists) believe that because of
global warming, the permafrost below its lakes is
thawing… (underling by reviewer)
OF

The Russian people came to distrust western
European ideas and culture.
OF

Russia Starts Drilling on its Northernmost Oil Well,
off the Coast of Siberia in the Kara Sea
www.timescolonist.com/2.2533/other/olympics/winterolympic-curling/russia-starts-drilling-on-itsnorthernmost-oil-well-off-the-coast-of-siberia-in-thekara-sea-1.1304
“Many Americans have long since thought that the
best scientific evidence available suggested that man
wasn’t causing any sort of global warming. However,
now, we can go even further and suggest that the
planet isn’t warming at all. Al Gore predicted all the
Arctic ice would be gone by 2013.” From “5 Scientific
Reasons That Global Warming Isn’t Happening” by
John Hawkins
www.townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2014/02/
18/5-scientific-reasons-that-global-warming-isnthappening-n1796423/page/full
No examples or references given to verify the author’s
opinion.
16
National Geographic
World Cultures and
Geography/Texas
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Section 2.5
Page 328
Par 1 Lines 6-8
National Geographic
World Cultures and
Geography/Texas
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Section 2.5
Page 328
Para 3
Lines 8-10
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Section 1
Page 315 Para1
Lines 11-13
Under communism, a single political party
controls the government and economy.
OF

The Marxist-Lenin version of Communist doctrine that
advocates the overthrow of capitalism by the
revolution of the proletariat. (Underling by reviewer)
www.thefreedictionary.com/x?rd=1&wordcommunism
Still, the Soviet Union had trouble feeding all its
people.
HT/OF


No mention of the Great Famine of 1921
The Russian Famine of 1921-1922 was one of the
greatest human disasters of the 20th
century…Historians conclude that at least five million
died of starvation and disease, though the figure may
be as high as eight million.
www.alphahistory.com/.../great-famine-of-1921
As a result, the resources in these areas of Siberia
remain largely untouched.
OF

97.
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Section 1.4
Page 316 Para 2
Lines 2-3
They (other scientists) believe that because of
global warming, the permafrost below its lakes is
thawing… (underling by reviewer)
OF

98.
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Page 322
2nd Column
Par 1 Lines 4-6
The Russian people came to distrust western
European ideas and culture.
OF

Russia Starts Drilling on its Northernmost Oil Well,
off the Coast of Siberia in the Kara Sea MoscowRussia has begun drilling on its northernmost oil well,
in the Kara Sea off the northern coast of Siberia.
www.timescolonist.com/2.2533/other/olympics/winterolympic-curling/russia-starts-drilling-on-itsnorthernmost-oil-well-off-the-coast-of-siberia-in-thekara-sea-1.1304
“Many Americans have long since thought that the
best scientific evidence available suggested that man
wasn’t causing any sort of global warming. However,
now, we can go even further and suggest that the
planet isn’t warming at all. Al Gore predicted all the
Arctic ice would be gone by 2013.” From “5 Scientific
Reasons That Global Warming Isn’t Happening” by
John Hawkins
www.townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2014/02/
18/5-scientific-reasons-that-global-warming-isnthappening-n1796423/page/full
No examples or references given to verify the author’s
opinion.
94.
95.
96.
17
99.
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Section 2.5
Page 328
Para 1 Lines 6-8
Under communism, a single political party
controls the government and economy.
OF

100.
Unit 6 Chapter 11
Section 2.5
Page 328
Para 3
Lines 8-10
Still, the Soviet Union had trouble feeding all its
people.
HT/OF


101.
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.1
Page 341
First Column
Para 1 Lines 1-5
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.1
Page 341
2nd Column
Para 2 Lines 1-6
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.2
Page 342
1st Column
Para 1 Lines 3-6
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.2
Page 342
1st Column
Para 1 Lines 6-8
The Soviet Union Falls
After the collapse of the Berlin Wall in Germany
in November 1989, the Communist no longer had
control over Eastern Europe.
OF

The economic transition has been difficult as well.
Less government control in Russia has led to a
large gap between rich and poor, higher prices,
unemployment, and an increase in corruption and
organized crime.
This set up a federal system, with a strong central
government and local government units. The
United States also has a federal system.
HT

The transition may have “been difficult” but implying
that “less government” was the problem leaves the
student with the impression that ‘more government’ is
better.
OF

No mention of America’s exceptionalism as required
by TEKS. Student is led to believe that US and
Russia’s governments are similar without giving the
advantages of America’s form of government.
Russia’s government is more democratic than that
of the former Soviet Union.
OF

Student is led to believe Russia is an improvement
over the former Soviet Union with no mention of the
move to invade and take back former territory.
Since February, Russia and Ukraine have been at war.
The most overt campaign in this conflict was Russia’s
brazen invasion and annexation of the Crimean
peninsula, but Moscow has been waging a covert
operation to destabilize eastern Ukraine since March.
www.hotair.com/archives/2014/08/27/putin-isinvading-ukraine-and-he-is-winning/
102.
103.
104.

The Marxist-Lenin version of Communist doctrine that
advocates the overthrow of capitalism by the
revolution of the proletariat. (Underling by reviewer)
www.thefreedictionary.com/x?rd=1&wordcommunism
No mention of the Great Famine of 1921
The Russian Famine of 1921-1922 was one of the
greatest human disasters of the 20th
century…Historians conclude that at least five million
died of starvation and disease, though the figure may
be as high as eight million.
www.alphahistory.com/.../great-famine-of-1921
No mention of President Ronald Reagan’s charge “Mr.
Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
usgovinfo.about.com/od/historic...ments/a/teardownwa
ll.htm
18
105.
106.
107.
108.
HT

Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.2
Page 343
2nd Column
Data Lab
# 3 Lines 1-3
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.2
Page 343
Chart at top
Columns 1 and 2
Is the government in Russia more or less
democratic than that in the United States?
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.4
Page 346
Column 1 Top of
Page
Lines 1-2
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.4
Page 350
1st Column
Para 2 Lines 5-7
Main Idea
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster severely damaged
the environment in parts of Belarus, Ukraine, and
western Russian.
OF

Many scientists believe that the carbon dioxide
those sources give off contribute to an overall
global temperature increase.
OF


Compare Russian and US Governments
OF



(underlining by reviewer)


Russia and the US governments cannot be compared
by their level of democracy. The United States of
America is a Constitutional Republic not a democracy.
The US Constitution
Chart depicts almost a mirror image of the two
governments. No mention of the fact that the American
form of government is superior and that communism
has failed.
Historians today know better, of course, hindsight
being a great clarifier. Unlike Braudel (the great
French historian), they know that the great communist
experiment failed. From “Seeing Red: Why
Communism Really Failed;”
www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/62668/donald-redwhy-communism-really-failed
There have been many studies refuting the severity of
the effects of Chernobyl. “Putting Chernobyl in
Perspective.
www.realclearscience.com/2011/03/17/puttingchernobyl-in--perspective-106233.html
There are many scientists who do not believe in
“overall global temperature increase” or global
warming.
The Myth of the Climate Change ‘97%’
www.online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1000142405270
2303480304579578462813553136
31,000 Scientists say “no convincing evidence”
www.ossfoundation.us/projects/environment/globalwarming/myths/31000-scientists-say-no-convincingevidence
That Scientific Global Warming Consensus…Not!
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chromeinstant&rlz=1C1CHFXenUS595US595&ion=2&ie=UTF83q=are%20there%20any%20scientists%20who%20
19
or www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2012/07/17/thatscientific-global-warming-consensus-not/
109.
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Section 2.4
Page 350
1st Column
Para 3 Lines 1-3
Fossil fuels are formed by buried plants and
animals that have been dead for millions of years.
OF



110.
National Geographic
World Cultures and
Geography/Texas
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Review and Extend
Page 352
1st Column
Para 2 Lines 1-5
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization has identified hundreds of
sites that form part of the world’s natural and
cultural heritage.
111.
Unit 6 Chapter 12
Page 353
Bottom of page
Photo of many country’s flags
112.
Unit 7 Chap 13. SubSaharan Africa
Geography &
History. pp 374-5.
OF



?B
FE, OF,
B




Many scientists do not believe the earth is millions of
years old.
Growing list of scientists who consider young earth
creationism (YEC) a fact and evolution as bunk
www.examiner.com/article/growing-list-of-scientistswho-consider-young-earth-creationism-yec-a-fact-andevolution-as-bunk
Young Earth Creationism
www.conservapedia.com/Young-Earth-Creationism
UNESCO is not an organization that upholds
American students’ best interest.
UNESCO’s Program for Sexuality Education in light
of a Proper Understanding of International Human
Rights.
www.avemarialaw.edu/ilj/Content/o;kartoc;es/Shea.Br
adem.pdf
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan responding to
considerable public outcry over a long string of
UNESCO abuses announced that the US was dropping
its membership in the organization. The United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) by that time had accumulated
a longstanding record of notoriety for waste,
corruption, subversion, and espionage.
www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/13845unesco’s-rotten-track-record
Of the many flags shown, it is difficult to see the
American flag. If the photo was taken from the
opposite side, the American flag would have been on
the front row instead of the back row.
Photo not credited or location given.
Islam didn’t just “come” to Africa. It arrived by
military conquest.
A more accurate beginning to the sentence would say,
“After the Islamic conquest of North Africa, etc.”
20

No mention of the size and duration of the Muslim
Slave Trade.
OF

OF


This definition is too narrow and can refer to almost
anything in the market place. A more exact definition
would include that commodities are normally
agricultural and mineral, are indistinguishable from
others of the same type, and are normally used as raw
materials for manufactured products.
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/commodity.asp
Omitted is that DDT is the most cost effective control
for malaria, that the death toll rose because its used
was prohibited by unscientific environmentalist
pressure, and that finally today its use is approved so
that malaria can be more easily prevented.
http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/Fall02
/DDT.html
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr
50/en/
Omitted is that it is a resource from the Earth that
cannot be readily replaced if it is used up.
Para 1. Last
Sentence.
113.
Unit 7 Chap 14. SubSaharan Africa
Today. pp 392-3.
Para 3, first sentence.
114.
Unit 7 Chap 14. SubSaharan Africa
Today. pp 398-9.
Para 4. Last sentence.
Many sub-Saharan countries use mineral resources
as commodities, which are materials or goods that
can be bought, sold or traded.


115.
116.
Unit 8 Chap 15.
Southwest Asia and
North Africa
Geography and
History. pp 418-9.
Para 6, Last Sentence
Unit 8 Chap 15.
Southwest Asia and
North Africa
Geography and
History. pp 424-5,
Para 3, Lines 5-6
The Hebrew Bible is the sacred text of Judaism. It
contains Jewish history and teaches how to lead a
moral life.
OF

OF


The Tanach is the Hebrew Bible i.e. what Christians
call the 'Old Testament'. The books of the Tanach
touch on all aspects of life, including history, laws,
behavior, prayers, advice (wisdom literature). All the
books of the Tanach were written originally in
Hebrew, except for a small part of the Book of Daniel
which is written in Aramaic.
The Tanach is made up of three components:
1. Torah - which contains the five books of Moses,
namely: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy. This section of the Tanach is also
known as the Chumash which means 'five'
(referring to the five books contained in it).
21

117.
118.
Unit 8 Chap 15.
Southwest Asia and
North Africa
Geography and
History. p 426-7, Par
4, Lines 1-2h
Unit 8 Chap 15.
Southwest Asia and
North Africa
Geography and
History. pp 428-9.
Para 6, last half.
Islam spread through expansion of Muslim rule
and through trade.
B, OF

OF


119.
Unit 8 Chap 16.
Southwest Asia and
North Africa Today.
pp 454-5. Para 7,
Middle of para.
OF





2. Nevi'im - book of prophets which contains the
books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Twelve Later Prophets.
3. Ketuvim - holy writings which contain David's
psalms, Solomon's proverbs, the Five
Megillot(scrolls), the books of Ezra and Nehemia
and Chronicles.
http://www.bje.org.au/learning/SOR/literature/tanach.h
tml
Omitted is that Muslim rule expanded by jihad.
Omitted is discussion of the Janissary Corps and
Suleiman’s devschirme, the levy of Christian boys who
never saw their parents again after being forced into
the Sultan’s military and administrative service.
http://cmes.hmdc.harvard.edu/files/Slaves_of_the_Sult
an.pdf
Omitted also is the heavy taxation of Christians and the
destruction of thousands of schools and religious
structures.
http://www.agiasofia.com/1821/fort1821/struggle.html
Omitted is that Hussein had dismantled some nuclear
facilities that could have produced weapons grade
bomb material had they been allowed to continue
operation. Also omitted is that Hussein prevented
further inspections.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/gunni
ng/etc/arsenal.html
Omitted is that Hussein’s chemical weapons stockpiles
have been found recently.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/sunni-extremists-in-iraqoccupy-saddams-chemical-weapons-facility1403190600
22
120.
121.
122.
Unit 8 Chap 16.
Southwest Asia and
North Africa Today.
pp 456-7. Para 6,
Lines 4-6
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 472-73
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 476-7.
Para 4, Lines 5-7
airplanes. They flew the planes into the towers of
the World Trade Center in New York City and the
Pentagon in Washington D.C. A plane headed for
the White House crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
In response, the United States and its allies
bombed terrorist camps in Afghanistan. The
Taliban were removed from power and a new
government was established, but the violent
conflict continued.
Picture of Mt. Everest
As a result, the Green Revolution benefited mostly
wealthy farmers.
OF, HT,
B

Omitted is that al-Qaeda terrorists are Islamic jihadists
and the definition of a terrorist is incomplete. al-Qaeda
jihadi terrorists are murderers who usually target
civilians in order to strike terror in a civilian
population to achieve their political ends. And, as the
Jihadists themselves point out, they make no
distinction between religion and politics.
OF

Photo lacks caption.
FE

This statement is opinion, not fact, because “benefited”
is not defined and is narrowly construed.
The Green Revolution was implemented only in a few
Indian states with adequate water for high crop yields
and caused income disparity with other states, meaning
that some states benefited more than others.
It also benefited the millions that did not die from the
famines that it prevented.
http://countrystudies.us/india/104.htm
Omitted is that the Indian government has an agency
like the EPA to control pollution and that since the
1970’s numerous anti-pollution laws have been passed.
http://cpcb.nic.in/
http://www.indiacelebrating.com/events/nationalpollution-control-day/


123.
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 478-9.
Para 6, Sentence 1.
Local Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s)
are helping to reverse the damage.
OF




23
124.
125.
126.
127.
128.
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 482-3.
from Para 6
OF
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 484-5.
Para 7
FE/OF
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 486-7.
Para 1. Lines 10-12
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 486-7.
Purple box
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 488-9.
Para 1. Last sentence.




Omitted is inclusion of Untouchables as part of, yet
outside of, the caste system
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/~epandit/page2.html
Islam did not unify. It conquered. It became a large
religious minority because the Mughals murdered
millions of Hindus.
“As a contribution to research on the quantity of the
Islamic crimes against humanity, we may mention
Prof. K.S. Lal's estimates about the population figures
in medieval India (Growth of Muslim Population in
India). According to his calculations, the Indian
(subcontinent) population decreased by 80 million
between 1000 (conquest of Afghanistan) and 1525
(end of Delhi
Sultanate).” http://koenraadelst.bharatvani.org/books/n
egaind/ch2.htm
Again, the text omits that Islam spread by jihad.
A simple re-write of the sentence would correct the
omission: “but the Arab armies quickly brought it to
South Asia.”
Islam was founded in Saudi Arabia, but it quickly
spread to South Asia.
OF/B


Islam arrived with Muslim traders in the early
A.D. 700’s.
FE

Re-write to say, “Islam arrived with the Arab armies in
the early A.D. 700’s.”
Eventually this power grew into colonialism, the
control by one power over a dependent area or
people.
OF


More a definition of imperialism than colonialism.
“In Colonialism, one can see great movement of
people to the new territory and living as permanent
settlers. Imperialism is just exercising power over the
conquered regions either through sovereignty or
indirect mechanisms of control.
http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/differ
ence-between-colonialism-and-imperialism/
24
129.
Unit 9 Chap 17.
South Asia,
Geography and
History. pp 488-9.
Para 2
130.
Reference Handbook
1. Skills Lessons
131.
Reference Handbook
2. Economics and
Government. pp R41,
2nd Column, 2nd
sentence.
Reference Handbook
2. Economics and
Government. pp R42.
Col 2. Para 2.
Reference Handbook
2. Economics and
Government. pp R
42. 2nd Column, Next
to last sentence.
Reference Handbook
2. Economics and
Government. pp R
43. 1st col.,2nd Para,
1st sentence.
132.
133.
134.
OF/B

The paragraph tells only the bad side of the British.
Omitted are the British contributions that made it
possible for an India fragmented by hundreds of
political states to enter the modern world as a nation.
 It is unsubstantiated opinion that Britain crippled
India’s economic growth for more than 100 years.
 British railroads unified India, as did the English
language. The British were responsible for roads,
telephone, telegraph, dams, bridges, irrigation canals,
schools, improved sanitation and public health.
 http://www.painesvilletownship.k12.oh.us/userfiles/699/Classes/26475/Chapt
er%2011%20Section%204.pdf
[Reviewer’s Note. The Skills Lessons are well done for
grade level and include standards skills like note taking,
outlining, predicting, citing references, and organizing
main ideas. The text samples used to illustrate the skills are
taken directly from the different text units. Various
omissions of facts, etc, should be noted in the units, not
again here in the Skills Section.]
 Omitted is that raising capital also encourages savings
and investments.
Businesses raise capital, or money, to create new
products and hire workers.
OF
embargo, n: a government ban on trade with
another country.
OF

Omits that embargo can be either import, export, or
both.
Capital is the machinery and other tools that are
used to create a good or a service.
OF

Capital also includes money.
In a free enterprise system, producers are
motivated by self-interest.
OF

Omitted is that producers also are motivated by
concern for employees and a sense of civic duty.
Human resource departments often help employees
pursue career goals.

25



135.
136.
137.
138.
OF

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/human-resourcesmanagers-benefit-employees-organization-10431.html
Corporations make huge civic contributions and
encourage community service.
http://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/
http://www.unitedway.org/blog/entry/corporatevolunteering-the-civic-50
This definition of market economy omits that prices
are set by supply and demand.
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/do
cs/Market_economy.html
Reference Handbook
2. Economics and
Government. pp R
44. 1st col. Last Para.
1st Sentence
Reference Handbook
2. Economics and
Government. pp R 48
1st col. Chart
market economy, n: an economic system in which
people and businesses choose freely to buy and
sell in markets.
Reference Handbook
3. World Religions. p
53, Col 2, Next to
last sentence.
Reference Handbook
3. World Religions. p
54, Para 1. Lines 8-9
Today Islam continues to spread around the world
through migration and conversion.
OF

Omitted is that it also continues to spread by military
conquest or the sword.
The Hebrew Bible contains books of law, history
and prophecy.
OF

The Tanach is the Hebrew Bible i.e. what Christians
call the 'Old Testament'. The books of the Tanach
touch on all aspects of life, including history, laws,
behavior, prayers, advice (wisdom literature). All the
books of the Tanach were written originally in
Hebrew, except for a small part of the Book of Daniel
which is written in Aramaic.

FE


It is an error to say that US citizens under age 18 must
attend school to receive an education. Home-based
education is legal in the US.
It is also an error to say that US citizens under age 18
receive an education. While free public education is
offered, students must exert effort in order to become
educated.
26
139.
Reference Handbook
3. World Religions. p
54, Para 1. Lines 910
Another important book is the Talmud, a
collection of scholarly writings.
FE
140.
Unit 10 Ch 19
Page 549
1st Column
Para 1 Lines 1-4
Encouraged by this initial success, Mao set a plan
in motion the following year called the Great Leap
Forward to make China’s economy grow even
faster.
OF
141.
Unit 10 Ch 20
Section 1.1
Page 563
1st Column
Para 1 Lines 9-10,
12-14
Muslim traders in northwestern China helped
“spread” Islam in the 700s.
OF
Christian missionaries began to come to East Asia
in the 1600s to “spread” their religion.
(underlining and quotation marks by reviewer)
142.
Unit 10 Ch 20
Page 563
1st Column
Para 1 Lines 1-4
China’s strategies have worked. In 2013, China
had the world’s third largest economy after the
United States and the European Union.
OF
143.
Unit 10 Ch 20
Page 563
1st Column
Para 1 Lines 1-4
Those who did not comply (with one-child policy)
had to pay large fines.
OF

The Talmud is Oral Law and a legal commentary on
the Torah which explains how to carry out its
Commandments.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/ta
lmud_&_mishna.html
 It should be included that the ‘Great Leap Forward’
was responsible for 45 million deaths of the Chinese.
 Mao’s Great Leap Forward ‘killed 45 million in four
years’ Mao Zedong, founder of the People’s Republic
of China, qualifies as the greatest mass murderer in
world history, an expert who had unprecedented access
to official Communist Party archives said yesterday.
www.independent.co.uk/artsentertainment/books/neews/maos-great-leap-forwardkilled-45-million-in-four-years-2081630.html
 Using the same word ‘spread’ referring to how
Muslims and Christians shared their religion gives the
student the wrong impression.
 www.answering-islam.org/Terrorism/by-thesword.html and
 www.themodernreligion.com/convert/sword.html
 I would suggest changing the verb “spread” in the
statement about Christian missionaries to “teach”
because that is what missionaries are supposed to do.
 No mention of the millions of dollars China receives
from the US in foreign aid.
 See “Aiding and Abetting” in Foreign Policy
www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/07/12/whydoes-us-still-give-millions-of-dollars-to-china
 China’s one-child policy has recently been described
as “arguably the greatest bioethical atrocity on the
globe” (Wendy McElroy, Fox News Views, 24
September 2002). Since the 1970s, the Chinese
government has conducted a program of population
control through forced abortion, infanticide, forced
sterilization, forced use of abortifacient birth control,
abandonment of children and deliberate killing of
orphans through neglect. The program is enforced
through severe penalties for those who do not comply
27
144.
Unit 11 Ch 21
Page 612
1st Column
Para 2 Lines 2-5
Fossils, or preserved remains, found on Java
suggest that human life existed there as early as
1.7 million years ago.
OF



145.
Unit 12 Ch 24
Page 677
1st Column
Para 1 Lines 1-3
One of APEC’s main achievements has been to
establish free trade agreements among member
countries.
OF



146.
Unit 12 Ch 24
Page 683
1st Column
Para 2
Lines 7-8
New Zealand is forging a new path for sustainable
energy production.
OF



147.
Unit 12 Ch 24
Page 686
1st Column
Para 5, Lines 8-10
In Argentina, beef producers struggle with
government policies that limit how much beef can
be exported. (underlining by reviewer)
Good
Point

with the policy, including extortionate fines,
destruction of property, imprisonment and even
torture.
https://www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/china/populationcontrol-china
Other scientists do not believe the earth is millions of
years old. Evolution is a theory not a fact. Students
need to be given both theories, creation and evolution.
Evidence for a Young Earth (that’s not billions of
years old) by Bob Dutko, www.toptenproofs.com
Billions, Millions, or Thousands—Does it Matter? by
Kenneth Ham, http://www.icr.org/article/billionsmillions-or-thousands-does-it-matter/
Students need to be given both sides regarding APEC.
Not everyone was in agreement with the ‘benefits’.
“In its eagerness to sell APEC and free trade to the
public, the government has deliberately neglected to
mention the negative impacts…” from [APEC] Critics
say negative trade impacts ignored
www.nationmultimedia.com/home/APEC-critics-saynegative-trade-impacts-ignored-87464.html
There a variety of definitions of ‘sustainability’ of
which students should be aware.
“The Three Faces of Sustainability” by Paul Driessen,
Policy Study for The Heartland Institute,
http://heartland.org/sites/default/files/06-1814_driessen_sustainability.pdf
“Top 10 Myths about Sustainability” by Michael D
Lemonick; Scientific American, March 1, 2009;
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/top-10myths-about-sustainability/
Government policies pose the same struggles for
American cattlemen.
28
General Comments:
1) The 3 min videos are pretty pictures saying too little too fast, may be good
for baby-sitting.
2) There are no clickable links in the table of contents or in the contents listed
on the first page of each chapter. This means the student can't quickly review
or check on a particular topic without going to the GO TO dropdown box to
get there. This system wastes too much of a reader’s time to reach desired
content.
3) The Digital Library at the top of each page has some famous pictures, well
shown, but no artist’s name.
4) The Search box on the upper right searches for individual words, not phrases
you type in. It doesn’t even allow computer use of quote marks to define search
terms.
5) The bold and highlighted words aren’t clickable, for more information.
6) The text lists too many events without names of people and uses
supplemental pictures to bring in names of important historical figures. The
teacher is then left to “teach the picture”. 6th graders need to read more for
themselves. If they can’t read at 6th grade level, they should not have been
promoted to 6th grade.
7) The Reference Handbook and Index are a joke, again with no clickable
links. There are pages R1 to R98 followed by many pages of index. With
nothing clickable the reader has to go to the picture of the binoculars
in the upper right of each page, click there, enter a page like "r10", search, then
read many page numbers that may include "r10" or at least some page near it
like "r5", click there to reach the page.
8) The little speaker icons allow for students to listen to a voice read certain
paragraphs or words. It is meaningless to read occasional paragraphs aloud. If
the text is for illiterates, read it all. If not, read nothing.
9) Sometimes directions on a page tell student to go to the Digital Skills
Library. There is no way to access such a library unless the page happens to
include a small digital skills icon at the top.
10) The Glossary is in the Reference Handbook starting on page R 60. There
is no way to enter a word to look up. If you’re looking for “primogeniture”
you have to go page-by-page from the “a’s” to the “p’s” to find it.
11) You can download maps only from the online Atlas on the first page of
each unit. This means if you’re on the twentieth page of a unit looking at a
map of India you can’t download it without going back to page one.
12) Text is too small. If you click to enlarge it, only the interior expands instead
of the entire frame. Then you have to use the scroll bars at bottom and side to
read. Very awkward. Often you can’t even see the map as you read map items
the text is describing.
13) Southwest Asia topic needs updating from 2010 to now, to include jihadist
expansion as Arab Springs turned to Arab Winter.
14) www.myNGConnect.com research links are very hard to find. Many of the
text pages have no clickable link to get there even when they tell you to go
there.
15) When you do find www.myNGConnect.com, it is often out of date without
the latest research findings. It includes too may National Geographic, US
government, PBS and CNN sites that do not present conservative viewpoints.
Furthermore, all these resources give you only a proprietary National
Geographic page, not a regular web page to search for other references and
alternate viewpoints.
16) When this book is presenting indisputable historical events, it is factual
and clear to sixth graders. When it presents issues dear to the heart of
progressives and the National Geographic (e.g. environmentalism, wealth
discrepancies), it is biased by omission of alternative views or research. An
example is in Chap 13, Unit 1.3. Forest Holocaust (an invented term) claims
most of world’s natural forests have been destroyed. Omitted is that many
forest scientists see little difference between natural forests and planted forests,
except in unusual circumstances, and that most of the world is not losing
forests because they have been planted or regenerated naturally.
E- Photography was lovely
29
CONCERNS:

How In2Books Works

In2Books brings the Common Core Standards to life with a safe motivating
online curriculum that matches students with adult eMentors. Students get
authentic experience purposefully reading books with eMentors and sharing
ideas about important issues via online letters.

These next few entries were copied from the text (although I agreed at the
beginning not to copy anything) but would not fit into the template framework.
Found under: Home>Connect to NG>ePals>in2books>eMentors for Common
Core
Since Texas has rejected Common Core this text should not be accepted. Adult
pen pals are not appropriate for eleven-twelve year olds even if approved by
the teacher.
In2Books is a Common Core State Standards, evidence-based eMentoring
program. In2Books fosters reading, writing and critical-thinking skills across
the curriculum. Our curricula have been shown to significantly improve
students' literacy skills and love of learning. In2Books promotes literacy across
the curriculum by matching students with adult pen pals who read the same
books and correspond online about the important issues in the books. The
books are carefully selected to align with literacy, social studies and science
standards. This learning experience is reinforced in the classroom with the
study of the applicable genre, in-depth discussion and carefully designed
curricula. In2Books has been used successfully in 3rd-6th grade classrooms
with basal curricula and with less-structured learning environments. Evidencebased, it supports, augments and extends almost any literacy curriculum.
Through In2Books:











Students select and read age-appropriate, high-quality books carefully
selected by a team of children's literature experts.
Students are matched with adult eMentors called pen pals who read the
same books as the students.
Students engage in an ongoing, dynamic online conversations about the
important issues in the books.
Teachers access online professional development and practical teachertested learning activities.
Teachers provide genre instruction and teach reading, writing and thinking
skills appropriate to the genre. The yearlong In2Books curricula are called
the Informed Reader Series and include: Realistic Fiction, Social Science,
Biography, Folktales, and Science.
Home>Connect to NG>ePals>in2books>eMentors for Common Core
Adult pen pals would not be advisable for sixth graders.
Common Core has been rejected by Texas.
Concerns: Because Texas Legislature has rejected Common Core, I don’t
believe this text should be used by Texas students. The idea of adult pen
pals for all the students would pose an insurmountable problem.
There are advertisements throughout the text distracting the students from
the real purpose of learning. They should not be induced to shopping for
Subaru, Ford, National Geographic magazines(even for kids), Apple
products, Zulily, Cobblestone magazines, Facebook, Twitter, BASF just
to name a few.
The National Geographic videos are too coarse for adults, much less 6th
graders, dealing with drugs, drug busts, methane, and custody issues for
example. And there is an advertisement before every video.
There must be a reason that the reader has to “Agree” at the beginning not
to copy or reproduce any material in this text for any reason.
Clicking Connect to NG>National Geographic Current Events>News
opens a new window and navigates to the National Geographic website.
From here, a student can navigate anywhere on the web.
I would not want Texas students to be exposed to the propaganda included
in this text.
30
Evaluation of Social Studies Skills and other important issues
Number
Questions
Yes
No
1.
Is the appropriate vocabulary relevant to the subject matter presented to
students?
For example, on comparative government are terms such as monarchy, oligarchy,
democracy, socialism, fascism, and communism presented?
J
K
2.
Are the captions under pictures factual?
J
K
E
3.
Are the charts and graphs relevant to the topic being presented?
J
K
E
4.
Are the maps accurate and relevant to the topic?
J
K
E
5.
Are questions thought provoking? Is adequate and accurate material provided so
that the students can formulate appropriate answers?
J
K
E
6.
Are primary and secondary sources presented for students to examine (for bias,
propaganda, point of view, and frame of reference)?*
J
K
E
7.
Does the text present a lesson on how to evaluate the validity of a source based on
language, corroboration with other sources, and information about the author? *
j- very limited lesson
K
E
8.
Does the textbook have a Glossary? Are key terms included and defined?
J-terms are defined in
the text where they
appear, also in
glossary, but hardly
accessible
K
E
J-Not a useful one, see
comments
E-Defined, but not
always properly defined
E
31
9.
Does the textbook have accurate timelines to help the student understand
chronological historical developments?
J-yes, and selective
enough to be
meaningful to 6th
Grade
K
E
Evaluations based on template
Choices
Explanations
1.
This text has minor changes that need to be made
2.
This text has a moderate number of changes
3.
This text has substantial changes that need to be made
4.
This book is so flawed that it is not recommended for adoption.
Yes
No
J
K
E
32