Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

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Curriculum and Instructional Materials

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Textbook Adoption Process 

Instructional materials for PVPUSD students are selected by a committee of teachers in each instructional area. Each committee includes 

  • Representatives from each school level involved in the adoption 
  • Teachers in the content area of the adoption 

Teachers are first trained on any changes to subject matter frameworks and/or content standards prior to reviewing materials. Only materials recommended for adoption by the California Department of Education (or College Board in certain instances) are considered. Depending upon subject area, there are upwards of four to twelve publishers on the state approved list that the committee will screen to determine which should be considered for the piloting process. 

Committees examine materials for the specific criteria that includes 

  • Alignment of instructional materials with the state content standards 
  • Capacity of instructional materials to meet the educational needs of PVPUSD students 
  • Availability of materials/strategies to differentiate instruction for our learners (i.e., English Learners, Special Education, GATE, or high-achieving students) 
  • Digital materials that support instruction 

The committee may also consider the cost of a program and the funding available for the purchase of instructional materials. Publishers will work with district staff in the Educational Services Department, who organize the adoption committee and may not contact schools directly unless authorized by the district. 

 

Piloting of Instructional Materials Considered for Adoption 
Once options are narrowed down to two or three publishers, the committee of teachers will pilot materials with their classes for a designated amount of time. Following the implementation of all materials to be considered, the committee will review the strengths and weaknesses of each program and come to a consensus on which program to bring forward to the Board of Education for approval. 

 

Public Review of Instructional Materials Considered for Adoption 
Materials being considered for adoption are available for preview by the public. Notification regarding where and when materials can be previewed will be publicized by the district and can also be found below under the dropdown menu titled “Textbooks and Supplemental Materials Under Review.”   

 

Adoption of Instructional Materials 
Once the pilot committee decides which publisher’s materials best meet the needs of our staff and students in the designated content area and grade level(s), that recommendation is brought to the Board of Education for approval. Once approved, materials will be ordered, inventoried, and distributed to school sites. 
Current Adoptions can be found by school level below. 

 

Implementation of Instructional Materials 
Following the adoption of new instructional materials, teachers are provided initial and follow up training on the various components and implementation of a program. 

 

Funding of Instructional Materials 

Funding Source 

Approximate amount per year 

Lottery* 

$500K 

Parcel (math and science) 

$400K 

One time funding 

Dependent on the grant or funding 

 

*These funds may be used to fund curriculum but are used to fund many other things for students and teachers throughout the year (technology, annual purchases of workbooks, software, hands on materials, etc.) 

Grade

Subject

Title

Publisher

TK

Reading/Language Arts

Math

Science

Social Studies

World of Wonders

McGraw-Hill 2017

K-5

Reading/Language Arts

California - Wonders

McGraw-Hill 2017

K-5

Mathematics

Math in Focus

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2020

K-5

Social Studies

K - Social Studies Alive! Me ad My World (CA Edition)

1st - Social Studies Alive! My School and Family (CA Edition)

2nd - Social Studies Alive! My Community (CA Edition)

3rd - Social Studies Alive! California's Communities (CA Edition)

4th - Social Studies Alive! California's Promise (CA Edition)

5th - Social Studies Alive! America's Past (CA Edition)

Teachers Curriculum Institute (TCI), 2021

K-5

Science

STEMscopes

Accelerate Learning, Inc. 2000

K-5

Health

Health and Fitness

Harcourt 2006

K-5

Music

QuaverMusic (Digital)

QuaverEd

K-5

Physical Education

SPARK (Digital)

Gopher

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

Math

PVCM 6; 6 Accl

Big Ideas Math Course 1

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

Math

PVCM 7

Big Ideas Math Course 2

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2015

Math

PVCM 7/8; Bridge to Algebra

Big Ideas Math Course 2 Accelerated

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

Math

PVCM 8

Big Ideas Math Course 3

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2015

Math

Grade 8: Algebra; Algebra 1/B; Algebra 1 Honors

Big Ideas Math Algebra 1

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

Math

Grade 8: Geometry; Geometry Honors

Big Ideas Math Geometry

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

 

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

English-Language Arts

Grade 6

StudySync G6 CA

McGraw Hill 2017

English-Language Arts

Grade 7

StudySync G7 CA

McGraw Hill 2017

English-Language Arts

Grade 8

StudySync G8 CA

McGraw Hill 2017

 

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

Science

Grade 6

Science Resources - Grade 6

Delta Education, Inc. 2019

Science

Grade 7

Science Resources - Grade 7

Delta Education, Inc. 2019

Science

Grade 8

Science Resources - Grade 8

Delta Education, Inc. 2019

 

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

Social Studies

Grade 6

World History & Geography

McGraw Hill 2019

Social Studies

Grade 7

World History, Culture & Geography: The Modern World

McGraw Hill 2019

Social Studies

Grade 8

United States History & Geography

McGraw Hill 2019

 

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

Health

Grade 7

Comprehensive Health Skills for Middle School

Goodheart -Wilcox 2023

 

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

World Languages

Spanish 1

Encuentros: Comunicación y Cultura, Level 1

Vista Higher Learning 2022

World Languages

Spanish 2

Encuentros: Comunicación y Cultura, Level 2

Vista Higher Learning 2022

World Languages

Chinese 1

Integrated Chinese Level 1-Simplified Characters & Traditional

Cheng & Tsui 2016

World Languages

Chinese 2

Integrated Chinese Level 2- Simplified Characters & Traditional

Cheng & Tsui 2017

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

Math

Algebra 1; 1 MCR; Algebra A/B; Algebra 1 Honors

Big Ideas Math Algebra 1

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

Math

Algebra 2; 2H; 2 MCR

Big Ideas Math Algebra 2

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

Math

Advanced Calculus

Multivariable Calculus

Thompson 2002

Math

Calculus

Calculus of a Single Variable 8th Edition

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2005

Math

AP Calculus AB/BC

Calculus AP Edition 3rd Edition

Pearson-Prentice Hall 2006

Math

AP Computer Science Principles

New Perspectives Computer Concepts 2016 Enhanced, Comprehensive

Cengage Learning 2016

Math

AP Computer Science; Adv Comp Sci

Fundamentals of Java: AP Computer Science Essentials

VitalSource Class/Lab License for Fundamentals of Java: AP Comp Sci Essentials

Cengage Learning 2011

Math

Essentials of Algebra

Big Ideas Math: Algebra 1

Cengage Learning 2016

Math

Geometry; H; MCR

Big Ideas Math: Geometry

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

Math

Introduction to Data Science

Introduction to Data Science v_5.0

idsucal.org 2023

Math

PreCalc; PreCalc H; PreCalc W/Limits

Precalculus With Limits: A Graphing Approach 5th Edition

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2007

Math

Statistical Analysis

Statistics & Probability with Application 4th Edition

Bedford, Freeman & Worth 2021

Math

AP Statistical Analysis

Updated Version of The Best Practice of Statistics 6th Edition

Bedford, Freeman & Worth 2020

  

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

English-Language Arts

Grade 9

Literature and Language Arts, Course 3

Holt, Rinehart & Winston 2002

English-Language Arts

Grade 10

Literature and Language Arts, Course 4

Holt, Rinehart & Winston 2002

English-Language Arts

Grade 11

Literature and Language Arts, Course 5

Holt, Rinehart & Winston 2002

English-Language Arts

Grade 12

Literature and Language Arts, Course 6

Holt, Rinehart & Winston 2002

  

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

Science

Anatomy & Physiology; H

Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology-13th Ed.

 

Mastering AP with eText

Savvas 2022

Science

Biology 1

Experience Biology: The Living Earth

Savvas Learning Company 2020

Science

Biology 1H

Modern Biology

Holt, Reinhart & Wilson 2007

Science

AP Biology

Campbell: Biology in Focus 3rd Edition, AP® Edition

Pearson/Savvas 2019

Science

AP Chemistry

Chemistry AP 10th Ed

McDougal-Littell 2017

Science

Chemistry 1

Inspire Chemistry

McGraw Hill Education 2020

Science

Chemistry 1H

Introductory Chemistry: A Foundation, 9th Edition

Cengage Learning 2019

Science

Dev. Phys Sports Med

Athletic Training: An Introduction to Professional Practice

McGraw Hill 2005

Science

Earth Science

Inspire Earth Science

McGraw Hill Education 2022

Science

Intro to Engineering Design

Parametric Modeling

 

Starting out with C++ 2010

Schroff Development Corporation

 

Pearson, 2014

Science

AP Environmental Science

Exploring Environmental Science for AP Updated

 

MindTap: Exploring Environmental Science for AP Updated

Cengage 2021

Science

Life Science

Inspire Biology

McGraw Hill Education 2020

Science

Marine Biology; H

Marine Science, 2nd Edition

McGraw Hill Education 2019

Science

Physics

Experience Physics

Savvas Learning Company 2022

Science

AP Physics 1; 2

College Physics: A Strategic Approach AP Edition 4th Edition

 

Mastering Physics Pearson eText

Pearson/Savvas 2019

Science

AP Physics C Mechanics; E & M

Physics for Scientists and Engineers

 

WebAssign Physics for Scientists and Engineers

Cengage 2019

  

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

Social Studies

Adv. Philosophy/Religion

From Socrates to Sartre: The Philosophic Quest

Bantam Books 1985

Social Studies

American Government

Magruder's American Government Interactive

Savvas Learning Company 2023

Social Studies

AP Government

American Democracy Now AP Edition-7th Edition

McGraw Hill 2022

Social Studies

AP Comparative Government/ Politics

Introduction to Comparative Politics AP Edition + MindTap- 8th Edition

Cengage 2019

Social Studies

Comparative Religions

The World’s Religions

Harper Collins 2009

Social Studies

Economics

Economics: Principles in Action (CA Edition)

Pearson/Savvas 2019

Social Studies

AP Economics

Economics: A Contemporary Introduction- 11th Edition

Cengage 2020

Social Studies

AP European History

A History of Western Society Since 1300 for AP Edition-13th Edition

Bedford, Freeman & Worth 2020

Social Studies

AP Human Geography

The Cultural Landscape: An Intro to Human Geo-9th Edition

Pearson Prentice Hall 2007

Social Studies

Psychology

Psychology: Principles in Practice

Holt, Rinehart & Winston 2007

Social Studies

AP Psychology

Updated Myers' Psychology for AP-3rd Edition

Bedford, Freeman & Worth 2020

Social Studies

Sociology

Sociology-3rd Edition

Prentice Hall 2003

Social Studies

US History; H

United States History: The Twentieth Century

Pearson/Savvas 2019

Social Studies

AP US History

The American Pageant-13th Edition

McDougal-Littell 2006

Social Studies

AP World History

Ways of the World

Bedford, Freeman & Worth 2020

Social Studies

World History; H

World History: The Modern World

Pearson/Savvas 2019

  

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

World Languages

Chinese 1

Integrated Chinese Level 1 : Simplified Characters & Traditional Characters

Cheng & Tsui 2016

World Languages

Chinese 2

Integrated Chinese Level 2: Simplified Characters & Traditional Characters

Cheng & Tsui 2017

World Languages

Chinese 3; 3H

Integrated Chinese Level 3

Cheng & Tsui 2017

World Languages

Chinese 4; 4 AP

Integrated Chinese Level 4

Cheng & Tsui 2018

World Languages

Chinese 5

Harvest: Intermediate Chinese

Beijing Normal University Press 2007

World Languages

French 1

T'es Branché, Level 1

Carnegie Learning 2022

World Languages

French 2

T'es Branché, Level 2

Carnegie Learning 2022

World Languages

French 3; 3H

T'es Branché, Level 3

Carnegie Learning 2022

World Languages

French 4 AP

Themes + Supersite Plus (vText - online)

Vista Higher Learning 2016

World Languages

Japanese 1

Adventures in Japanese, Level 1

Cheng & Tsui, 2003

World Languages

Japanese 2

Adventures in Japanese, Level 2

Cheng & Tsui, 2003

World Languages

Japanese 3; 3H

Adventures in Japanese, Level 3

Cheng & Tsui, 2003

World Languages

Japanese 4; 4 AP

Adventures in Japanese, Level 4

Cheng & Tsui, 2003

World Languages

Korean 1

Epic Korean 1

Foundation for Korean Language & Culture 2021

World Languages

Korean 2

Epic Korean 2

Foundation for Korean Language & Culture 2021

World Languages

Korean 3; 3 H

Epic Korean 3

Foundation for Korean Language & Culture 2021

World Languages

Korean 4; 4 H

Epic Korean 4

Foundation for Korean Language & Culture 2021

World Languages

Latin 1

Latin Course Unit 1

Cambridge University Press 2001

World Languages

Latin 2

Latin Course Unit 2

Cambridge University Press 2001

World Languages

Latin 3; 3 H

Latin Course Unit 3

Cambridge University Press 2001

World Languages

Latin 4; 4 AP

Vergil’s Aeneid

Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers 1998

World Languages

Spanish 1

Encuentros: Comunicación y Cultura, Level 1

Vista Higher Learning 2022

World Languages

Spanish 2

Encuentros: Comunicación y Cultura, Level 2

Vista Higher Learning 2022

World Languages

Spanish 3; 3H

Encuentros: Comunicación y Cultura, Level 3

Vista Higher Learning 2022

World Languages

Spanish 4

Perspectivas

Vista Higher Learning 2022

World Languages

AP Spanish Language

TEMAS: AP Spanish Lang & Culture

Vista Higher Learning 2014

World Languages

AP Spanish Literature

Azulejo

Wayside Publishing 2014

World Languages

Spanish 5

Civilizacion y Cultura

 

Revista

Thomson/Heinle 2004

 

Vista Higher Learning 2010

  

Subject

Grade/Course

Textbook

Publisher

Visual & Performing Arts

Art History AP

Gateways to Art

 

Digital Extended Access

W. W. Norton & Company 2018

Visual & Performing Arts

Music Theory AP

Theory Essentials-2nd Edition

Cengage/Schirmer 2013

 
Current Textbook Pilots under review for the 2024-2025 school year:
 
Subject Pilot Publisher 1 Pilot Publisher 2 Pilot Teachers/Classrooms Additional Pilot Committee Members
Elementary
English
Language Arts
Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), 2nd Edition, Amplify, 2022. To Be Determined

Donna Villaescusa, Christian Gabelich, Amber Varatip, Diane Urias, Johanna Covarrubias, Kathleen Brown, Kathleen Bergan, Kerin Oschman, Lisa Johnson, Karen Mamakos, Arisbeth Rossi, Jen Wade, Elisa Nguyen, Lisa Mack, Cara Dunn, Julie Fletcher, Shannon Bogart

Kim Libby/Kelly Dunn, Teresa Sabatasso, Denise Ravatt, Jenny Rooney, Stacie Stevens, Anna Lehmer

Sue Smith, Helen Kim, Cait Christensen, River Fay, Phillip King, Carolyn Christensen, Angela DiSalvo, Anh Stenz, Logan Tootell, Bishoy Anastasi
 
 
Locations to view material: PVPUSD Board Room entryway and the Main Offices of Cornerstone Elementary, Dapplegray Elementary, Lunada Bay Elementary, Mira Catalina Elementary, Montemalaga Elementary, Point Vicente Elementary, Rancho Vista Elementary, Silver Spur Elementary, Soleado Elementary, and Vista Grande Elementary.  
After previewing materials, you can provide feedback by clicking the link below. https://tinyurl.com/ElemELApilot