Tag: HQIM

Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

May 21, 2024 9:05 am

Driving Student Inquiry

Teachers spend a lot of their own time finding the right resources to connect with every student. We know it’s a time-consuming task, especially with everything else on their plates. High-quality instructional materials (HQIM) lighten the load, helping ensure consistent, engaging lessons while giving teachers back some much-needed time.

High-Quality Instructional Materials in Traverse

What Are HQIM?

There’s no doubt that effective teaching is incredibly important for student outcomes. According to RAND, educators have the highest impact on student achievement compared to “any other aspects of schooling.” But over the last decade, a growing body of research has also linked positive student outcomes to HQIM.

But what are HQIM? Generally, HQIM are recognized as materials that are aligned to state standards and include evidence-based strategies, inclusive practices, and embedded teacher support.

The Impact of HQIM in Social Studies

With the criteria for identifying HQIM within social studies only recently defined, the challenges related to a lack of such materials are particularly apparent. Compared to disciplines such as science, math, and ELA, social studies has been severely undervalued and underfunded — creating a deep-rooted problem. Without solid state- and local-level infrastructure for social studies, teachers have largely been left to their own devices, essentially building their own curriculum. The Fordham Institute reports that up to 79% of social studies teachers find instructional materials from various sources online or create their own — with only 16% using a state-issued textbook.

While there’s no doubt that teachers — and the expertise they bring — are essential to positive learning outcomes, curriculum materials also matter. Study after study supports that HQIM benefit both students and teachers. Think about it, a great chef still needs quality ingredients — and providing teachers with well-structured, standards-aligned materials enables them to spend more time engaging with their students and providing customized learning experiences, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

How Does Traverse Meet Key HQIM Criteria?

Definitions of HQIM vary, but at their core they share vital components. At Imagine Learning, all of our core programs are designed to deliver key benchmarks for HQIM.

1. Standards-Aligned Content

The C3 (College, Career, and Civic Life) Framework, introduced by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), created a shift in social studies instruction. With an emphasis on inquiry-based learning and the development of critical thinking, the C3 Framework prioritizes deeper understanding and application of skills — empowering students to become active participants in their learning.


Traverse maximizes student learning through content aligned to the C3 Framework and state standards, with reading, inquiry, and research skills woven into and revisited throughout the curriculum. The result? A standards-aligned program that empowers teachers to approach instruction with confidence.

2. Best-Practice Pedagogy

Traverse is built on a unique instructional model driven by inquiry — as emphasized in the C3 Framework — with inquiry tasks developed in collaboration with renowned educators Kathy Swan and Sam Wineburg. This approach empowers students to use their curiosity as fuel for critical thinking and problem-solving and encourages them to actively engage in the learning process.

3. Equity and Inclusion

Every classroom is unique and every student has the right to thrive and feel represented in their learning materials. That’s why Traverse was designed to support differentiation and help create an equitable learning environment, with:

  • Content that undergoes a rigorous review process to ensure quality and accuracy
  • Diverse representation of identities, experiences, and authorship
  • Automatic leveled scaffolds and differentiation for English language learners, approaching readers, and beyond-grade-level learners
  • Digital accessibility measures, including leveled narrative text, audio read-aloud with speed control, line reader, annotation tools, and more
  • Comprehensive pacing and planning resources

4. Teacher and Student Experience

Traverse is a modern social studies curriculum designed for flexible implementation, with powerful customization features and tools to support teachers and students. Its dynamic and responsive learning experiences reflect the needs of the post-pandemic classroom — built to engage today’s students through a variety of high-quality resources:

  • Innovative, absorbing video formats
  • More than 1,500 written, oral, and visual primary and secondary sources
  • Powerful digital tools — including 3D objects, interactive maps, flipbooks, and more
  • Collaborative learning activities allowing for exploration of questions in a whole-group setting

5. Measuring Student Learning

Assessment is an integral part of effective instruction — it enables teachers to ascertain whether goals are being met and whether it is necessary to remediate instruction. Traverse features a robust assessment cycle — including formative and summative assessments — and embedded real-time data provide multiple opportunities to monitor student progress.

6. Professional Learning

HQIM alone aren’t enough to improve student outcomes. Teachers need to feel supported in using and delivering the materials through robust teacher support and by participating in ongoing, personalized professional learning.

Teacher Support

Traverse’s digital platform offers comprehensive teacher support, designed to be at point of use and chunked into sections for ease of use. These include:

  • A pop-out digital teacher edition
  • Pacing and planning support for each unit and chapter
  • Reading comprehension and source analysis strategies

Implementation Support

Traverse partners with districts to ensure teachers utilize the program in the most effective way. These inquiry-based sessions can be delivered in-person, online, synchronously, or asynchronously, and are designed to be collaborative.

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Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

May 21, 2024 9:04 am

Building Conceptual Understanding and Habits of Mind in Mathematics

Teachers spend a lot of their own time finding the right resources to connect with every student. We know it’s a time-consuming task, especially with everything else on their plates. High-quality instructional materials (HQIM) lighten the load, helping ensure consistent, engaging lessons while giving teachers back some much-needed time.

High-Quality Instructional Materials in Imagine IM

What Are HQIM?

As educators and districts recognize the critical role curriculum plays alongside effective teaching, the focus on HQIM has intensified nationally. A growing body of research points at one thing: instructional materials directly impact student outcomes (Kane et al., 2016). But the reality is, not all teachers have access to HQIM or the professional development and support to implement these resources effectively.

But what are HQIM? Generally, HQIM are recognized as materials that are aligned to state standards and include evidence-based strategies, inclusive practices, and embedded teacher support. And when it comes to nurturing positive math identities — the demand for engaging resources has never been higher.

The Impact of HQIM in Math

The truth is, math not only prepares students for future careers; it also enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for everyday life. Recent research shows significant shortcomings in math education, underscoring the urgent need for materials that address learning gaps and prepare students for the complexities of modern careers. 

There’s no question that teachers’ expertise is crucial to boosting student outcomes, but mounting evidence shows that materials do matter, with EdReports revealing that only 41% of math materials fully meet standards. Fortunately, we can reverse this trend by giving teachers access to resources that exemplify the principles of HQIM in math.

Verified HQIM

Imagine IM scores “All Green” on EdReports

Illinois Success Story

CCSD59 wanted a problem-based curriculum that was accessible for all students. The result? Significant gains in math proficiency with Imagine IM.

Digital-Forward Tools and Features

An instructional experience that leverages the power of digital tools and problem-based curricula.

How Does Imagine IM Meet Key HQIM Criteria?

Definitions of HQIM vary, but at their core they share vital components. At Imagine Learning, all of our core programs are designed to deliver key benchmarks for HQIM.

1. Standards-Aligned Content

There’s no doubt about it — standards-aligned materials give all students the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to progress academically and move into future careers.

Math educators can enjoy peace of mind with Imagine IM, an enhanced IM v.360 program that’s fully aligned with Common Core and state math standards. Given that Illustrative Mathematics CEO and cofounder Bill McCallum was a lead writer of the Common Core State Standards, the curriculum’s adherence to these benchmarks is especially robust and well-founded.

2. Best-Practice Pedagogy

Research-based instruction helps teachers meet the diverse learning needs of their students. Whether through the use of manipulatives or real-world problem-solving, research-based strategies make math easier and improve performance.

That’s why Imagine IM has a problem-based instructional framework that helps structure lessons so students are the ones engaging in mathematics. Activities and routines give teachers opportunities to see what students already know, what they can notice, and what they can figure out before they have concepts and procedures explained to them. 

To support student understanding, Imagine IM integrates three key aspects of mathematical rigor: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and the application of these skills to solve mathematical problems. The result? Students emerge more confident, ready to tackle complex challenges.

3. Equity and Inclusion

In a time when math proficiency is declining, it’s vital that we give every student an equal shot at success. Imagine IM is designed with three key principles in mind to support all learners:

  • Providing access for everyone
  • Presuming competence
  • Providing a strength-based approach

The program emphasizes endurance and perseverance through carefully crafted structures that address the complexity of contexts, numbers, and computations, accommodating different levels of understanding in complex mathematical contexts. Comprehensive supports for multilingual learners ensures all materials are inclusive and unbiased, representing a wide range of cultural identities.

4. Teacher and Student Experience

Imagine IM provides an unparalleled IM v.360 resource for both teachers and students, offering enhanced materials designed to support educators in planning and conducting lessons across diverse instructional settings. With a premium classroom solution tailored specifically to their needs, teachers can refine their skills as facilitators with high-quality, point-of-use supports that streamline their workflow and offer valuable implementation guidance. Exclusive print versions of Teacher Guides and Student Workbooks are seamlessly integrated with digital components, ensuring the integrity of Illustrative Mathematics content in any classroom model.

The curriculum’s instructional routines establish frameworks that enable all students to actively participate in mathematical discussions, fostering fluency in digital tools, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication of reasoning. Through rigorous problem-based design and engaging resources, Imagine IM cultivates a supportive community where students of all backgrounds can build confidence and acquire skills applicable throughout their academic journey, careers, and beyond.

5. Measuring Student Learning

Imagine IM offers opportunities for both formative and summative assessment that empower teachers to measure student understanding and progress toward learning goals. 

Teachers are equipped to monitor student progress through digital task statements, section checkpoints, and cool-downs. These provide real-time feedback and data to inform instructional decisions. 

Digital assessments allow students to access, record, and submit their questions and answers for a variety of technology-enhanced item types including multiple choice, multiple select, drag-and-drop, cloze, graphing, labeling, constructed response, short essay, and drawing types.

6. Professional Learning

Simply selecting HQIM isn’t enough. Teachers need robust professional learning to support their use in the classroom — that’s why professional learning is a crucial pillar of HQIM.

Imagine IM does more than just introduce educators to the curriculum — it equips them with the tools for implementation success. Virtual and in-person professional learning options meet diverse needs, while the digital platform offers ongoing self-directed professional development, plus insightful narrative and lesson example videos.

  • Year one: Focus on building teachers’ understanding of problem-based math instruction, helping them master both print and digital resources and establishing effective classroom routines.
  • Year two: Training emphasizes capacity building and specialization, enabling teachers to fully leverage specialized features and refine their instructional strategies.
  • Year three and onwards: The focus shifts to sustaining and enriching these practices, ensuring continued engagement and effectiveness.

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Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

May 21, 2024 9:01 am

Making Language Arts Connections

Teachers spend a lot of their own time finding the right resources to connect with every student. We know it’s a time-consuming task, especially with everything else on their plates. High-quality instructional materials (HQIM) lighten the load, helping ensure consistent, engaging lessons while giving teachers back some much-needed time.

High-Quality Instructional Materials in Imagine Learning EL Education

What Are HQIM?

As educators and districts recognize the critical role curriculum plays alongside effective teaching, the focus on HQIM has intensified nationally. A growing body of research points to one thing: instructional materials directly impact student outcomes (Kane et al., 2016). But the reality is, not all teachers have access to HQIM or the professional development and support to implement these resources effectively.|

But what are HQIM? Generally, HQIM are recognized as materials that are aligned to state standards and include evidence-based strategies, inclusive practices, and embedded teacher support.

The Impact of HQIM in ELA

It’s undeniable that reading and writing proficiency is essential in today’s world. But over the last few years, a growing body of research has indicated that students across the US are struggling, with one-third of fourth-graders and a quarter of eighth-graders unable to read at a basic level as of 2019. Since then, results have declined further, and whether a result of post-pandemic learning loss or other factors, it’s clear that if results are to increase, something needs to change.

Study after study shows that the answer may lie in curriculum materials, because students don’t just learn from their teachers, content matters too. In ELA, the use of HQIM is evidenced to accelerate student learning, and when given access to such materials, teachers are less likely to source and create their own materials — a practice that can lead to inconsistent learning across classrooms. But how do districts, schools, and teachers identify HQIM? At Imagine Learning, all of our core programs are designed to deliver key benchmarks for HQIM.

How Does Imagine Learning EL Education Meet Key HQIM Criteria?

Definitions of HQIM vary, but at their core they share vital components. At Imagine Learning, all of our core programs are designed to deliver key benchmarks for HQIM.

1. Standards-Aligned Content

Giving teachers direct access to premium, expertly aligned materials is one of the best ways of ensuring that they can help prepare students for any career path. That’s why Imagine Learning EL Education is carefully designed to hit standards for college and career readiness and life success, teaching and assessing all strands and standards of the Common Core ELA standards at every grade level.

2. Best-Practice Pedagogy

An ELA curriculum rooted in best-practice pedagogy — which involves teaching methods that are widely recognized and supported by scientific evidence as effective — is essential for enhancing literacy outcomes. Imagine Learning EL Education is based on the Science of Reading, which advocates for structured phonics to ensure students can read challenging texts at their grade level and meet literacy objectives.

With our content-based approach to literacy, ELA looks like:

  • Content-focused teaching that deepens engagement and boosts literacy by interlinking reading, writing, and discussion across disciplines
  • Diverse texts that build knowledge, enrich understanding, and advance vocabulary
  • An approach that goes beyond traditional comprehension drills to foster real-world application and a deeper understanding of texts

3. Equity and Inclusion

There’s no doubt about it, literacy is the thread that binds all disciplines together. It’s a crucial skill for success in any discipline or career. That’s why our curriculum is crafted with inclusive practices at its core — so that every student has the tools to thrive.

Experience an ELA program that:

  • Differentiates instruction for students with disabilities and those requiring academic extensions
  • Cultivates a respectful learning environment through peer learning
  • Addresses unique learning needs with diverse supports and resources

4. Teacher and Student Experience

Imagine Learning EL Education’s platform empowers educators to focus more on teaching and less on planning. Rich resources and instructional supports make for streamlined lesson planning, with robust data and reporting tools to tailor instruction to each student’s needs.

Engaging, complex texts based on compelling real-world content are structured to develop literacy skills across grades K–8. Lessons consistently focus on mastering academic standards in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, ensuring comprehensive literacy development. The result? Students who write the narrative of their own learning journeys.

5. Measuring Student Learning

Assessment serves a dual purpose: to empower and motivate students while ensuring they meet rigorous learning standards. Continuous assessment involves setting clear long-term and supporting targets, employing strategies to monitor student progress, and adapting instruction accordingly, ensuring that students aren’t just passive recipients of information but active participants in their educational journey.

Imagine Learning EL Education features:

  • Customizable lessons and assessments for flexibility and personalization
  • Clear long-term and supporting targets
  • Strategies to monitor student progress and inform instruction adaptation

6. Professional Learning

Pedagogical strategies are constantly evolving — that’s why it’s important for teachers to be supported with robust professional learning opportunities.

Imagine Learning EL Education includes:

  • Ample resources and opportunities for teachers to build on existing expertise
  • Educator support throughout the year from a dedicated customer success manager
  • Sessions that guide teachers as they learn how to implement the curriculum

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An innovative portfolio of core curricula designed to inspire inquiry-based learning and deepen student engagement.

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Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

May 21, 2024 8:54 am

Unlocking Success with Phenomena-Based Instruction

Teachers spend a lot of their own time finding the right resources to connect with every student. We know it’s a time-consuming task, especially with everything else on their plates. High-quality instructional materials (HQIM) lighten the load, helping ensure consistent, engaging lessons while giving teachers back some much-needed time.

High-Quality Instructional Materials in Twig Science

What Are HQIM?

As educators and districts recognize the critical role curriculum plays alongside effective teaching, the focus on HQIM has intensified nationally. A growing body of research points to one thing: instructional materials directly impact student outcomes (Kane et al., 2016). But the reality is, not all teachers have access to HQIM or the professional development and support to implement these resources effectively.

But what are HQIM? Generally, HQIM are recognized as materials that are aligned to state standards and include evidence-based strategies, inclusive practices, and embedded teacher support. As demands for STEM-related skills grow, so does the focus on HQIM, with educators seeking greater clarity on what actually counts as high-quality materials in science instruction.

The Importance of HQIM in Science

In the realm of science education, implementing HQIM is fraught with specific challenges. Science education is a fast-evolving discipline, and advancements in knowledge and best practices can quickly outpace current materials. This gap often means that teachers spend considerable time sourcing or crafting their own resources, which according to Education Elements, may not always be rigorously vetted or aligned with educational standards, leading to inconsistencies in instructional quality. This is where an HQIM science curriculum comes into play.

Open textbook of 'Volcan Hunters' module with NGSS design badge

The Twig Science Middle School module Volcano Hunters was awarded the NGSS Design Badge by NextGenScience at WestEd.

Outline of Indiana with a check mark

Twig Science program components were approved as HQIM by the Indiana Department of Education.

Image of research flyer

A study showed a 3.5% increase in students meeting or exceeding the Grade 5 California Science Test (CAST) standards compared to non-user schools.

Twig Science received the highest marks from Learning List* on its alignment to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) — 100% alignment across K–8!

How Does Twig Science Meet Key HQIM Criteria?

Definitions of HQIM vary, but at their core they share vital components. At Imagine Learning, all of our core programs are designed to deliver key benchmarks for HQIM.

1. Standards-Aligned Content

To effectively implement HQIM in science education, it’s crucial to first understand the role of standards-aligned content. Standards alignment ensures that the materials meet established benchmarks such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) or 3-D state standards, which are designed to provide students with a comprehensive and coherent understanding of science.

Having access to the highest-quality, vetted materials allows educators to focus on pedagogy, rather than sourcing content — and in turn, helps them feel better prepared and capable. Twig Science was designed with teacher confidence in mind — crafted specifically to hit the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and/or 3-D state standards across Grades Pre-K–8.

2. Best-Practice Pedagogy

Following best-practice pedagogy ensures that teaching methods are based on the most effective, research-backed approaches to learning. By emphasizing evidence-based teaching methods, we can help students develop a robust understanding of scientific concepts and, ultimately, contribute to a more scientifically literate society.

That’s why Twig Science’s phenomena-based instructional design excels in meeting 3-D standards. With Module Anchor Phenomena that spark curiosity from the get-go, hands-on activities, and digital interactives — educators have everything they need to lead scientific breakthroughs.

3. Equity and Inclusion

Every student deserves a chance to explore and excel in science, no matter where their strengths lie. Twig Science was built in collaboration with experts from SCALE Science at WestEd (previously known as Stanford University’s SCALE) to embed instructional design routines within Twig Science that support equitable access to science for all students. With scaffolds for English Learners, Stanford UL-SCALE language routines, plus strategies and platform functions that support additional needs, educators have everything they need to meet their students where they’re at.

4. Teacher and Student Experience

Both teacher and student experiences influence the effectiveness of science materials. Tailored resources help teachers deliver lessons smoothly and adapt to various needs, while relatable content boosts scientific understanding.

Twig Science’s powerful online platform integrates digital and print resources, complete with presenter tools, automated rostering, and single sign-on. Teachers remain in full control thanks to flexible resources with differentiated instruction supports and Fast Track for elementary levels. Meanwhile, students engage with Twig Books and Twig Journals — vibrant, multimedia textbooks and workbooks available in both digital and print formats, plus theater-quality videos and digital interactives that bring phenomena to life.

5. Measuring Student Learning

If teachers lack insights into student learning, how can they identify which needs to address? Accurate measurement of student progress is key to improving scientific outcomes and deepening student knowledge.

The Twig Science Assessment System was developed in partnership with the SCALE Science at WestEd team. It’s designed to be a three-dimensional assessment system that lets teachers evaluate student attainment of the three dimensions and Performance Expectations (PEs) of the NGSS. From pre-explorations to measure what students already know to formative and summative tasks, Twig Science offers a range of assessment strategies with embedded data reporting tools for tracking progress.

But it doesn’t stop there — since 2014, Twig Science has collaborated with Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading universities, to ensure the validity of our scientific foundations and bring real-world connections to science.

6. Professional Learning

Science education is rapidly evolving, making it challenging for teachers to keep up with the latest pedagogical strategies and best practices.

Twig Science addresses these challenges head-on by integrating relevant, up-to-date professional learning and easy-to-use training resources into our curriculum. Professional learning is tailored to empower educators with the skills to implement effective instructional practices, For example, each module includes a short introductory film, detailed background information to enhance teacher knowledge, and digital guides focused on Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts.

Wherever they’re at in the program, Twig Science ensures that every teacher can leverage our multifaceted curriculum to its fullest potential, enhancing both teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes.

*Learning List provides independent reviews of K–12 instructional materials and online courses. To see Learning List’s professional reviews and alignment reports for our products, go to Learninglist.com

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