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

Social Studies

History-Social Science for California

MacMillan/McGraw Hill, 2007

1-5

Social Studies

1st - California Vistas: Family & Friends

2nd - California Vistas: People & Places

3rd - California Vistas: California Communities

4th - California Vistas: Our Golden State

5th - California Vistas: Making a New Nation

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill 2007

K

Science

STEMscopes

Accelerate Learning, Inc. 2020

1-2

Science

STEMscopes

3-5

Science

STEMscopes

Accelerate Learning, Inc 2020

K

Health

Health and Wellness

McMillan/McGraw-Hill 2006

1-5

Health

Health and Fitness

Harcourt 2006 

K-5

Music

Making Music

Silver Burdett

 

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 6

Delta Education, Inc. 2019

Science

Grade 8

Science Resources - Grade 6

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

En Espanol, Level 1

McDougal, Littell 2004

World Languages

Spanish 2

En Espanol, Level 2

McDougal, Littell 2004

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

Visual & Performing Arts

Grade 6-7

Art I:   Music:  Art in Action

Holt, Reinhart & Winston 1986

Visual & Performing Arts

Grade 8

Art II:  Art in Action

Holt, Reinhart & Winston 1986

Visual & Performing Arts

Grade 8

Art III: Art in Action

Holt, Reinhart & Winston 1986

 

 

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

Functions, Trig, Stats

College Algebra with Trigonometry 7th Edition

The Best Practice of Statistics

McGraw Hill 2000

 

Freeman 1994

 

Math

Geometry, H, MCR 

Big Ideas Math: Geometry

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014

Math

PreCalc, PreCalc H, PreCalc W/Limits

Precalculus With Limits: A Graphing Approach 5th Edition

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2007

Math

Statistics Analysis

Statistics & Probability with Application 4th Edition

Bedford, Freeman & Worth 2021

Math

Statistics Analysis, AP 

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, 2

Biology

McDougal-Littell 2006

 

Science

Biology 1H

Modern Biology

Holt, Reinhart & Wilson

2007

Science

AP Biology

Biology AP

McGraw Hill 2013

Science

AP Chemistry

Chemistry AP 10th Ed

McDougal-Littell 2017

Science

Chemistry 1

World of Chemistry

McDougal-Littell

2007

Science

Chemistry 1H

Introductory Chemistry 6th 

Edition

McDougal-Littell

2007

Science

Dev. Phys Sports Med

Athletic Training: An Introduction to Professional Practice

2005

Science

Earth Science

Earth Science

Prentice Hall 2005

Science

Intro to Engineering Design

Parametric Modeling

Starting out with C++

2010

Science

AP Environmental Science

Exploring Environmental Science for AP Updated

MindTap: Exploring Environmental Science for AP Updated

Cengage 2021

Science

Life Science, Biology

Biology

McDougal Little 2006

Science

Marine Biology, Marine

Biology H

Introduction to Marine Biology

2005

Science

Physics

Physics

Holt, Rinehart & Winston 2002

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

Prentice Hall 2006

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

Prentice Hall 2007

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

Discovering French, Noveau!, Level 1

McDougal, Littell 2004

World Languages

French 2

Discovering French, Noveau!, Level 2

McDougal, Littell 2004

World Languages

French 3, 3H

Discovering French, Noveau!, Level 3

McDougal, Littell 2004

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

Dynamic Korean 1; Foundation for Korean Language & Culture

2014

World Languages

Korean 2

Dynamic Korean 2; Foundation for Korean Language & Culture

2014

World Languages

Korean 3, 3 H

Dynamic Korean 3; Foundation for Korean Language & Culture

2014

World Languages

Korean 4, 4 H

Integrated Korean Intermediate 1

U of H Press 2012

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

En Espanol, Level 1

McDougal, Littell 2004

World Languages

Spanish 2, 2 MCR

En Espanol, Level 2

McDougal, Littell 2004

World

Languages

Spanish 3, 3 MCR, 3H

En Espanol, Level 3

McDougal, Littell 2004

World Languages

Spanish 4

Continuemos

Cengage 2014

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 2022-23 school year:
 

Subject

Pilot Publisher 1 (Aug 22-Dec 22)

Pilot Publisher 2 (Jan 23-March 23)

Government
Shea, Daniel M. Magruder's American Government. Pearson 2023 *(Aug-Oct)
 
Economics
O'Sullivan, Arthur PhD., Sheffrin, Steven PhD. Economics: Principles in Action (CA Edition). Pearson 2019 *(Aug-Oct)
 
Earth Science
Science Dimensions Earth Science. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2020.
Inspire Earth Science. McGraw Hill Education. 2022
Biology & Biology Honors/span>
Science Dimensions: Living Earth. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2020. (Biology & Biology Honors)
Miller and Levine. Experience Earth Science. Pearson 2020 (Biology)
 
Mader, Sylvia and Windelspecht, Michael. Concepts & Connections. MHE 2022 (Biology Honors)
Chemistry
Science Dimensions: Chemistry. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2020.
Inspire Chemistry. McGraw Hill Education. 2020
Marine Biology
Castro, Peter and Huber, Michael. Marine Biology 11th edition. McGraw Hill Education
Karleskint et al., Introduction to Marine Biology 4th edition. Cengage Learning 2013
Chemistry Honors
Decoste, Donald and Zumdahl, Steven. Introduction to Chemistry: A Foundation. Cengage/National Geographic 2018
Timberlake et al. Basic Chemistry 6th Edition. Pearson 2020
AP Biology
Mader, Sylvia and Windelspecht, Michael. Biology, 14th edition. McGraw Hill Education 2022.
Urry et al. Campbell Biology in Focus 3rd Edition, AP® Edition Pearson 2020.
Physics
Hewitt, Paul. Experience Physics. Savvas Publishing 2022
French
Vista Higher Learning. Chemins, Vista Higher Learning Publishing 2023.
T'es Branche. EMC World Languages. Carnegie Learning. 2022
Elementary Social Studies 
Studies Weekly (Aug-Nov) 2022
TCI (Jan-March)
 

Subject

Pilot Publisher 1 (Aug 22-Dec 22)

Pilot Publisher 2 (Jan 23-March 23)

Pilot Publisher 3 (April 3-May 23)

Spanish
Bonilla, Alejandro Vargas. Que chevere!, EMC World Languages. Carnegie Learning 2020.
Davis, Robert L., Mar, Ann, Sloan, Martinez, Watson-Lopez, George. EntreCulturas, Wayside Publishing 2017.
Encuentros Comunicacion Y Cultura, Vista Higher Learning. 2022 .