How to Analyze Textbooks for a Curriculum

Choose textbooks that interest you and that will engage your students.

A textbook lays the groundwork for all teaching you will provide your students during the course of an academic year. It's tangible material your students can utilize that will serve as a second authority on classwork in addition to reiterating your lectures. It is crucial to pick a book that's not only best suited for the subject matter, but one that is clear, interesting and relevant so as to capture and maintain your students' interest.

Instructions

1. Analyze your students' ability, interest and academic level. Once this evaluation is complete, select a few books which initially appeared attractive to you after a preliminary search or peer recommendations.

2. Evaluate your own teaching methods; if you're a visual learner, densely written textbooks are unnecessary while lecture-oriented teachers might prefer them. Similarly, be sure the book provides enough encouragement for discussion, writing exercises or group work to suit your teaching style.

3. Read through your selected texts critically, being sure that the material is age appropriate, the writing clear and articulate and the teacher's guide comprehensive. It is also important that the book appeal to you personally, and you would look forward to using it. If so, there's a strong chance your students will also enjoy such a text.

References

• English Teachers Network: Choosing A Course Book