"After using ConceptLinks for one school year my ELL students performed at the same level on the 5th grade STAAR Science test as my regular students."
- John Simpson, Round Rock ISD
[ConceptLinks makes] lesson planning a whole lot easier AND the books are exceptional. They are very student friendly, extremely interesting to the students and integrate science and reading beautifully. For good reading teachers who are uncomfortable with science content, this is perfect! It also could work the opposite way (good science teachers who are uncomfortable teaching reading). . .
We emphasize hands-on learning in the Science Lab, but we are always looking for ways to integrate science instruction into the communication skills block. These books are an excellent resource for that purpose. We are also very committed to increasing students mastery of content vocabulary, and this system is a great way to introduce and reinforce that vocabulary. . . .
[ConceptLinks] is rich in text features and provides many opportunities to have students assess their own understanding of the text and apply fix-up strategies. . . .
The content and vocabulary presented are right in line with our science curriculum, and enhanced vocabulary development. I liked the Science Vocabulary Words component of the Preview Guide. . . .
[ConceptLinks] supports our goal to increase writing across the curriculum.
–Sharon Ferron
Norfolk, VA
The program is very well designed according with the different students’ levels. It is very engaging and motivating and the students really enjoyed the program! . . .
[ConceptLinks] is a very good program with a lot of visuals and features that really help students—even ELL students—comprehend the material.
–Mario Arias
Dallas, TX
The Student Books are amazing. The four levels gave all students an opportunity to learn a core concept and to build on that concept.
–Radostina Valchev
Arlington Heights, IL
It’s a great program!
–Stephanie Toro
Dallas, TX
[ConceptLinks] matches our Standards of Learning and helps integrate science with communication skills which is a win-win situation for my teachers. . . .
I thought the vocabulary focus was excellent in all of the books. I liked the introduction piece where the students identified words they knew, were familiar with and didn’t know. This piece helped focus my students into key vocabulary and gave them a mindset for reading.
–Colleen Orman
Norfolk, VA
I’d like to add that the students enjoyed working with the module. At first I thought they would resent being part of another pull out reading group. However, after our very first meeting, the kids were hooked! They also all improved on the posttest – so I felt great about that. . . .
The books are very powerful in the reading and science domain. I felt the features (Key words page, Key ideas, graphics, text features…) were wonderful.
It is an awesome opportunity for students to become masters of science and better readers. . . .
The books were highly engaging and constantly enforced reading and science strategies!
–Katie Boyd
Norfolk, VA
We have the ‘Earth’s Changing Surface’, ‘Properties of Matter’, and ‘Energy’. They have been amazing for my classroom!
Amber Coppola
Special Education Teacher
Woodworth Middle School
