Teacher Checklist: How to Choose the Right Textbook

  

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Like many of you, I am in the process of preparing next year’s budget and determining what materials will be needed to support student instruction. In addition to our typical order, we are thinking about investing in new elementary math textbooks. In NJ, the Common Core Standards were adopted and implementation of the new standards for Kindergarten through Grade 2 will begin in September. We feel it is appropriate to introduce a new textbook that will more closely align with the new expectations.

One of the challenges of textbook adoption is recognizing what comprises a quality textbook. Teachers tend to look for features with which they are most comfortable. These preferred features are likely part of their current textbook series, so teachers often select a textbook that is almost identical to the one they are currently using. In some cases, this is a completely acceptable outcome. However, we do want teachers to look for features that will be most beneficial for their students, not just those that keep them in their comfort zone.

To facilitate this process, I am going to use a textbook evaluation checklist with all of my teacher colleagues. This checklist provides un-biased suggestions of elements in the textbook that will be beneficial for all users. You may choose to use a checklist that you find online, or you may create a checklist that is specific to your district. Either way, it’s helpful to provide teachers with a guide that provides characteristics to look for in a new textbook and allows teachers to rate elements based on their importance. I found this checklist online, and I plan to use it as a template for creating a checklist that will meet our district’s needs. I think this tool is one that will increase teacher awareness as they look at textbooks, and I’m sure that teachers will emerge from the process confident that they selected a textbook that includes all the features that are necessary to increase student achievement.

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