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Houston ISD has adopted Texas’ Bluebonnet curriculum. Here’s what elementary students will actually read, from classic children’s books to Bible-linked lessons.<\/p>\n
Houston Chronicle\/Hearst Newspap\/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag<\/p>\n
Houston ISD<\/a> elementary students could encounter Bible stories<\/a>, historical religious figures, and classical literature side by side under Texas’ Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, adopted Thursday night by the district’s state-appointed Board of Managers.\u00a0<\/p>\n HISD’s state-appointed Board of Managers voted unanimously<\/a> to adopt the state-developed materials for kindergarten through fifth grade, giving the district access to about $3.3 million in additional state funding.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Bluebonnet Learning is a set of Texas Education Agency-developed instructional materials for reading, language arts and math. The district plans to use Bluebonnet English and Spanish reading and language arts materials<\/a>, along with math materials, for K-5 students.<\/p>\n So what does that actually mean for HISD families?<\/p>\n Students are introduced to fictional and historical royalty through read-alouds designed to build background knowledge about leadership, customs and daily life in royal courts. Figures and stories include:<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n “King Midas and the Golden Touch” and “Cinderella” First grade (Parable of the Prodigal Son)<\/p>\n Students are introduced to a story drawn from the Book of Luke in the New Testament:<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The parable tells of a rebellious son and a forgiving father Houston ISD approved Texas’ Bluebonnet curriculum. Here’s which Bible stories, religious lessons and books elementary students may study next year. (Photo by Steve Russell\/Toronto Star via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Steve Russell\/Toronto Star via Getty Images<\/p>\n Second grade (Image Preview lessons)<\/p>\n Students are introduced to historical and cultural figures<\/a> before read-alouds, including:<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Queen Esther, described as saving the Jewish people in Persia Students analyze Psalm 23 through reading and writing exercises focused on literary devices:<\/p>\n Identify imagery and metaphor in the text Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n According to Bluebonnet’s own K-5 reading guide<\/a>, younger students will spend much of their literacy time listening to read-aloud lessons designed to build background knowledge before students are expected to read more complex texts independently. In kindergarten through second grade, students receive daily foundational skills lessons and daily reading-language arts lessons. By third grade, the program shifts toward more integrated literacy instruction, while fourth and fifth graders spend more time reading, writing and discussing longer texts.<\/p>\n The curriculum’s official trade book list<\/a> includes “Luna Loves Art” and “A Life Made by Hand” in kindergarten; “Mae Among the Stars” and “Shark Lady” in first grade; aviation-themed books in second grade; jazz-focused books such as “Drum Dream Girl,” “Tito Puente, Mambo King” and “Duke Ellington” in third grade; and “Number the Stars” in fourth grade.<\/p>\n But Bluebonnet has drawn statewide controversy because some lessons also include Bible stories, biblical references and Christian themes.<\/p>\n The TEA’s Program and Implementation Guide <\/a>says religious source material is included for “literary and historical value,” not to advance a religious belief. The guide also says students may encounter content connected to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and ancient religions.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Critics, however, argue the balance is not equal.<\/p>\n Houston ISD approved Texas’ Bluebonnet curriculum. Here’s which Bible stories, religious lessons and books elementary students may study next year. (Jay Janner\/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Austin American-Statesman\/Hearst\/Austin American-Statesman via Ge<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nMansa Musa of the Mali Empire, noted for his wealth
\nKing Solomon, as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, described as known for wisdom<\/p>\n
\nTeachers are instructed to define parables as short fictional stories that teach moral or spiritual lessons
\nThe lesson is used to build background knowledge for future literature and history study
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\nWilliam Penn, associated with religious freedom
\nWilliam Wilberforce, credited with efforts to end slavery
\nJackie Robinson, noted for breaking baseball’s color barrier
\nRosa Parks, recognized for challenging segregation laws
\nMartin Luther King Jr., described as a civil rights leader who advanced equality<\/p>\n
\nComplete “Poet’s Journal” comprehension questions
\nRespond through timed freewriting activities<\/p>\n<\/p>\n