Usability
Meets
Expectations
Flexibility and Adaptability
Exceeds
Expectations
Inclusive Teaching
Meets
Expectations
Research-Based Strategies
Meets
Expectations
a. Materials follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
| a.1 Font-size of at least 14pt or allows the user to adjust the size of text displayed.
| | a.2 Text that meets AA standard for contrast (via WAVE accessibility checker).
| | a.3 Alternate text or captions are present on images
| | a.4 Captions or transcripts are available on video.
| | a.5 Uses a variety of indicators other than color to convey important content or meaning.
|
Reviewer Notes: ext is very clear and easy to read on all pages and subpages of the resource.
b. Material(s) are not overly resource intense that would require consistent high-speed internet access, such as large video files and multiple high-resolution photos.
| b.1 Makes use of or allows for low bandwidth and/or low immediacy teaching strategies (discussion boards with visuals, collaborative documents, emails).
| | b.2 Video, if present, can be streamed at a lower quality, is a smaller length or size, or be downloaded for later viewing.
| | b.3 If present, high-resolution images or other large files are limited or available for download for later viewing.
|
Reviewer Notes: There are several options for the reading resources to make the accessible in various formats.
c. The visual design of materials is clean and coherent, lending itself to ease of learning.
| c.1 Highlights or emphasizes key elements in text, graphics, diagrams, formulas.
| | c.2 Uses cues and prompts to draw attention to critical features and ideas.
| | c.3 "Chunks" information into smaller elements where possible.
| | c.4 Reduces or eliminates unnecessary distractions and extraneous information, unless they are essential to the instructional goal(s).
| | c.5 Composition of materials effectively use the principles of contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity, and white space to help convey information.
|
Reviewer Notes: All pages are easily navigated and easy to read. Very well organized.
Flexibility and Adaptability: 5/6 Top
d. Materials are flexible to allow students to access and complete work online or offline as needed.
| d.1 The majority of content in the material can be saved to be accessed offline.
| | d.2 Online and offline materials are comparable in rigor and alignment.
|
Reviewer Notes: The associated reading resources and teacher directions could be printed and available offline. The various formats of reading materials are very comparable in terms of rigor and alignment.
e. Materials can support and/or facilitate learning in hybrid and/or online delivery methods.
| e.1 Material's capabilities support the remote or hybrid learning vision and maintain the rigor of instruction.
| | e.2 Material has an open license, such as Creative Commons or Public Domain, which allows for greater adaptability to individual educator needs. If no open license is available, the material provides and adheres to copyright and permissible use guidelines.
| | e.3 Material is not solely reliant on a single educational technology or tool and could allow for adaptation to other platforms.
|
Reviewer Notes: The unit could very easily be used in a remote or hybrid delivery. There are links to various formats and the various components of the unit could be enhanced by using various online tools such as Google docs or Google draw to do some of the activities in the unit.
This work is licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons license.
f. Teacher supports, documentation, and/or guides for effective use are present.
| f.1 Includes research-based and evidence-based practices or provides known authority as reference
| | f.2 Uses plain language for parent engagement
| | f.3 Provides a variety of approaches, media, and philosophies supported by current science to meet the needs of schools and districts and students and families
| | f.4 Provides explanation of methods or activities to support parents
| | f.5 Provides opportunities for personalizing learning based on student needs.
| | f.6 Digital teacher guides, examples, and/or templates are available for the materials to use in different delivery modes.
|
Reviewer Notes: Although the resource does not explicitly cite research, it is developed around the research-based strategy in science education of the 5E model of instruction.
The resources provides supports, media and resources to meet the needs of schools and districts.
There is no apparent parent-specific explanations or supports but could easily be adapted to include some.
Resources are provided that include a broad range of grade level texts to accommodate readers are different levels.
Inclusive Teaching: 4/6 Top
g. Content is presented with an objective view on topic and is free of bias.
| g.1 Words are accurate, clear, and free from bias or prejudicial connotation.
| | g.2 Acknowledges relevant differences when they do exist.
| | g.3 Chooses terms that are appropriately specific.
| | g.4 Respects the language people use to describe themselves; that is, call people what they call themselves.
| | g.5 Avoids using one group (often their own group) as the standard against which others are judged.
|
h. Content creates student experiences that enable all children to reach empowering and rigorous learning outcomes regardless of their race or income.
| h.1 Materials use a variety of methods, including explicit directions and nonverbal cues, to set expectations for all students.
| | h.2 Uses words or phrases from diverse languages in the classroom.
| | h.3 Structures academic and social interactions between students.
| | h.4 Uses multiple approaches to consistently monitor students’ understanding of instruction, directions, procedures, processes, questions, and content.
| | h.5 Uses students’ real-life experiences to connect school learning to students’ lives.
| | h.6 Uses grade-level appropriate text.
|
Reviewer Notes: The resource highly meets the above criteria for this standard.
i. Content cultivates an awareness and acceptance of a variety of ages, cultures, races, religions, and gender roles and identities.
| i.1 Materials include reference to or a reflection of student attitudes, beliefs, biases, and assumptions about others.
| | i.2 Materials represent many cultures, races, religions, and genders providing an opportunity for students to see themselves in the content.
| | i.3 Promotes cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, and cultural skill development in materials and strategies.
| | i.4 Excludes instances of cultural obstacles that deny equity in access or achievement.
| | i.5 Uses multiple perspectives in text and examples.
|
Reviewer Notes: The resources does not have explicit references or examples of different cultures of race, but it does not include any bias or exclusion of individuals either.
Research-Based Strategies: 8/14 Top
j. Content builds on prior learning
| j.1 Uses formative assessments such as advanced organizers - including exit tickets, mini-quizzes, student questioning, and content surveys to gauge students’ knowledge of concept or skill.
| | j.2 Builds background knowledge through a variety of sources (e.g., videos, short articles, infographics, and images).
| | j.3 Allows for instructor-led reconstruction of necessary knowledge and to inform future instruction.
| | j.4 Encourages student metacognition for grasping concept or tracking thought processes.
|
Reviewer Notes: There is a high level of support for all of these components of this standard.
k. Content leads to further learning by gradually removing supports and requiring advanced skills and concepts.
| k.1 Connects new knowledge with knowledge and concepts students already know.
| | k.2 Learners work together to attain certain knowledge or skills with proper assistance.
| | k.3 Student reflection on learning is required.
| | k.4 I do, We do, You do technique is featured.
| | k.5 Transfer of knowledge is evident and students recognize contexts operating through similar concepts and arrange knowledge as more functional parts of a whole.
|
Reviewer Notes: The instruction does a nice job of building on prior knowledge by using reading text to connect the concept to greenhouses that many students can relate to.
Student are able to work together and reflect on their thinking.
Does Not Meet
Expectations
l. Content provides for authentic learning, application of literacy skills, student-directed inquiry, analysis, evaluation and/or reflection.
| l.1 Includes opportunities for project-based learning after building surface level knowledge through explicit instruction.
| | l.2 Promotes reading, writing, and discussion as well as other forms of communication for learning or sharing information.
| | l.3 A variety of texts arranged by units and themes used across content areas.
| | l.4 Includes explicit vocabulary instruction (all content areas should include a routine for explicit vocabulary instruction).
| | l.5 Include activities for judicious practice and review of previously taught vocabulary through reading, writing and discussion.
| | l.6 Frequent opportunities for formative assessment to check for student understanding and provide immediate feedback.
| | l.7 Outlines protocols for student discussion (speaking, listening and writing).
| | l.8 Includes elements of self-directed learning including small or more complex research projects when applicable.
|
Reviewer Notes: This unit is geared to early elementary students and promotes many literacy skills and effectively allow students to learn relevant vocabulary.
Although the unit does allow for student discussion, no protocols are given.
m. Content engages students through discussion questions and other supports that build toward independence.
| m.1 Materials encourage curiosity or use the inquiry process in lessons and activities.
| | m.2 Self-motivation is promoted for student engagement.
| | m.3 Includes opportunities for students to question concepts and apply critical thinking.
| | m.4 Student perseverance and a growth mindset are present in the content procedures and outcomes.
|
Reviewer Notes: The unit is built on the 5E instructional model which reinforces all of these components.
n. Uses technology and media to deepen learning and engage students.
| n.1 A variety of media is used both for instruction and to show learning.
| | n.2 Technology is used to enhance or elevate learning and not as a replacement for tasks.
| | n.3 Technology facilitates a teacher’s ability to differentiate lessons, tasks, or other content for students.
| | n.4 Materials contain videos/animations/simulations/interactives for student learning.
| | n.5 Materials include easy ability for progress monitoring by teacher and student.
| | n.6 Technology enables students to have control over their learning (e.g., choices, pace).
|
Reviewer Notes: The resource has reading text available in different formats to allow access in different ways. This allows teachers to make these formats available to students so they can choose the format most appropriate for their grade level and electronic format.
o. Content includes options for differentiation to meet needs of all learners.
| o.1 Materials have flexibility in language and cognitive capability and provides supports for complex grade-level text.
| | o.2 Activities include approaches to meet the needs of all learners (group and individual, hands-on, requires movement, longer investigations).
| | o.3 Content allows for or considers multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression (UDL guidelines for increasing equity and access for learners).
|
Reviewer Notes: Texts are offered in a variety of grade level complexities.
Does Not Meet
Expectations
p. Instructional approaches used are reflective of best practices and research on what works in education.
| p.1 Aligned to Ohio Learning Standards.
| | p.2 Student achievement is supported and proven by at least one of the following elements: Cites evidence-based practices (cites research articles or research clearinghouse); Provides proof of reason-based practice (scientific thinking) leading to student achievement.
|
Reviewer Notes: The resource is aligned to national science standards but there is no reference to specific Ohio standards.
No cited research but uses 5E model which is research based.
|
Usability
Flexibility and Adaptability
Inclusive Teaching
Research-Based Strategies
|
