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Module 4 Activity 4: How to Evaluate

Instructional Materials for Inclusive Classrooms

Jean Kang

I used the textbook evaluation form from the website, www.crystalsprings.com to

evaluate my current teaching textbook: Glencoe Math, Course 3, Volume 2. And the

result is 55/98. There are four criteria not applicable.

I believe this is a decent score. If another textbook choice for my math teaching

is given, I could compare two choices with their scores. Now I am presenting the

strengths and weaknesses of this textbook using the criteria from this form and our

textbook: Including students with special needs: A practical guide for classroom

teachers (Friend & Bursuck, 2019).

Strength 1. Content

This textbook has been used by many schools in the nation for many years. It

has average to good reputation. This proves its effectiveness (Friend & Bursuck, 2019).

The textbook content is consistent with the common core standards, information is

accurate and current. It provides large amount of graphics, which is highly useful for

students who have reading difficulties.

Strength 2. Instructional Input

This textbook provides instructional input, or teaching procedure (Friend &

Bursuck, 2019). The textbook is designed with the structure of instruction, a sequence

of activities in order. If a teacher and students follow this textbook in the 8th grade math

that I teach, it can be a well-organized lesson. I modify the procedure often because
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there are different levels of students in my class with many performing under grade

level. Still, the textbook serves teaching purpose well.

Strength 3. Assessment and Evaluation

This textbook provides a large amount of practices as well as assessment.

Students progress can be evaluated with these assessment and teaching pace can be

adjusted accordingly.

These are the most evident strengths of the textbook evaluated. There are other

strengths as well, such as the glossary (vocabulary) in each lesson, index, sidebar

design for making notes, chapter summaries and extension (power-up) which are all

well-designed and useful for 8th grade students.

There are a few weaknesses according to my use of the evaluation template, that

are discussed as follows.

Weakness 1. Graphs and photos

In my opinion, there are too many graphs and photos. Appropriate amount can

help students in comprehension. But with too many, the book may appear to be a little

overloaded. In addition, a lot of graphs and photos do not have any caption or legends. I

am not sure what the purposes were to place these photos in the textbook, such as the

photo of students ice-skating. It even has nothing to do with the content. So, photos

should be reduced to be more focused.

Weakness 2. Page Layout

This is related with weakness 1, overloading with graphs and photos. These

graphs and photos filled most pages, leaving very small blank space that made the

layout overcrowded.
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In summary, Glencoe Math is a proved good textbook for middle school students.

If the photos and graphs are selectively removed, and some blank space left orderly in

pages, it can be excellent.

Reference

Friend, M. & Bursuck, W. D. (2019) Including Students with Special Needs: A Practical

Guide for Classroom Teachers (8th Ed.). New York, NY: Pearson

NSC Instructure, EDU 203 O2, Module 4 Online Activities. Retrieved on July 25, 2020

from

https://nsc.instructure.com/courses/2895672/pages/m-4-online-activities-

3?module_item_id=56819221 and

www.Crystalsprings.com