Best Curricula Books of 2025

The 25th anniversary edition of "Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto is a radical treatise on public education. Gatto argues that compulsory government schooling is to blame for the decrease in literacy rates, the rise of learning disabilities, and the disaffection of children and youth. He advocates for families and young people taking back education and learning, encouraging self-directed, life-long learning. Featuring a new foreword from Zachary Slayback, this edition inspires new generations to take control of learning and kickstart an empowered society of self-directed lifetime learners. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of education and the current state of schooling.

This BIG Letter Tracing workbook is a valuable addition to any homeschooling curriculum for 3-year-olds. It covers alphabet tracing, number tracing, and basic shapes, making it an excellent tool for early learning. The book's easy-to-follow guidelines and directional arrows make it simple for toddlers to use. The alphabet tracing books for preschoolers are perfectly sized at 8.5" x 11", making it easy for little ones to learn how to write. The cute cover design and more than 125 pages make it engaging for kids. The book's unique feature is that it can be used as a coloring book too. Overall, this is an excellent book for preschoolers learning to write and trace letters, numbers, and shapes.

This teacher's notebook is a thoughtful and beautiful way to show appreciation for the educators who have made a difference in your life. Its soft matte cover and 120 lined pages make it a practical and sentimental gift for teachers of all levels. The book's title, "Never Forget The Difference You've Made," serves as a reminder of the impact that teachers have on their students. The size of the notebook is perfect for carrying around in a bag or purse. Overall, this notebook is a unique and heartfelt way to express gratitude to the teachers who have made a positive impact on your life.

"The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System--and How to Fix it" by Natalie Wexler is a must-read for anyone involved in education. Wexler sheds light on a critical flaw in the elementary school curriculum: the intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. She offers a compelling critique of American elementary schools and provides a solution to the seemingly endless cycle of multigenerational poverty. The book follows innovative educators who are shedding their ingrained habits and describes the rewards that come along. Overall, this book is essential reading for teachers, education administrators, and policymakers alike."

The Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition is a must-read for early childhood educators. This updated edition provides clear and evidence-based guidance on the importance of social, cultural, and historical contexts of development, as well as effective approaches for teaching children across the early childhood spectrum. The book also includes new resources for higher education faculty, K-3 leaders, and early childhood educators to extend their knowledge and application of developmentally appropriate practice. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone who is committed to ensuring all young children have access to high-quality early learning.

This second edition of Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe offers a comprehensive guide for educators on how to create a curriculum that emphasizes understanding and leads to better student performance. The authors delve into the meaning of essential questions, transfer tasks, and the six facets of understanding to show how they can be incorporated into curriculum design. The book also provides practical strategies, tools, and examples from various subjects to apply the principles of Understanding by Design. Overall, this book offers a clear and thought-provoking path for teacher-designers to create curriculum that ensures better learning for students.

High-Impact Instruction: A Framework for Great Teaching by Jim Knight is a must-read for teachers, coaches, administrators, and anyone interested in effective teaching. The book focuses on three areas of high-impact instruction: content planning, instructional practices, and community building. It provides checklists, observation tools, and online videos of teachers implementing the practices. The author acknowledges the basic human need to be our best selves, making it a wonderful addition to the literature on effective instruction. The book is comprehensive, practical, and detailed. It is a treasure trove of clear concepts, great ideas for action, and the tools to implement them.

The Tracing Letters and Numbers workbook is an excellent tool for preschool and kindergarten children to learn how to write. It contains 200 practice pages with wide lines and dashed centers to help children develop consistent size and shapes. The book is a great resource for parents and teachers looking to teach children how to write letters and numbers. The workbook is an excellent way to help children develop their motor skills and improve their handwriting. Overall, the Tracing Letters and Numbers workbook is an excellent addition to any child's learning resources.

The Bible Workbook, Volume 2 - New Testament is a valuable resource for Bible teachers who want to focus on the spiritual significance and application of scripture. The workbook is filled with exercises, questions, and maps that help students understand the fundamentals of the New Testament before diving into deeper discussions. The book contains thousands of fill-in-the-blank questions and interactive diagrams and maps that can be adapted for any teaching setting. The author, Catherine Walker, is highly qualified and experienced in teaching theology. Overall, this book is an excellent tool for any Bible teacher looking to enhance their lessons.

The Bible Workbook Vol. 1 Old Testament is a comprehensive guide that helps students learn the basic details of every story in the Old Testament. The Workbook is filled with exercises, questions, and maps that ensure students have the fundamentals down before you teach. The author, Catherine Walker, has done an excellent job of taking readers through the Old Testament chronologically, making it easy to follow. The Workbook is adaptable for virtually any teaching setting, including homeschooling, Bible class, and Sunday school. The book is an excellent resource for those who want to study the Old Testament in-depth and understand its spiritual significance and application.