Houghton Mifflin Co. News Release - February 14, 2006

Houghton Mifflin Launches Two New Science Programs for K–6 Students

New Curriculums Meet National Standards in Teaching Science, Give Teachers Tools to Guide Instruction and Monitor Success

BOSTON — February 14, 2006 — Houghton Mifflin Company announced the launch of Houghton Mifflin Science and Experience Science, two new elementary science programs that meet the teaching and learning needs of educators and students nationwide.

Houghton Mifflin Science is a standards-based textbook curriculum designed specifically to address a wide range of learners of varying ability levels through reading, vocabulary and writing support in science. The program provides hands-on activities and reading lessons for all instructional objectives and has strong, real-world connections that make science meaningful to students and extends learning beyond the four walls of the classroom.

The kit-based Experience Science program is a complete series of science modules designed to cover major content areas in life science, earth science and physical science. It is a research-based National Science Foundation-supported program that provides a hands-on curriculum designed to meet the needs of educators who want to use an activity-centered approach to science or want more in-depth activities on specific science topics to strengthen their curriculum.

"Houghton Mifflin is proud to offer these two new science programs," said Ali Sullo, senior vice president and publisher, Houghton Mifflin School Division. "In the era of increased accountability and state testing, these programs incorporate what teachers across the United States are seeking."

A key feature of both programs is inquiry strategies that guide students to independence with a logical instructional model — the five Es of scientific inquiry: engage, explore, explain, extend and evaluate, a model recommended by the National Science Education Standards Addendum on Inquiry. Also, both programs include a variety of print and electronic assessments that support the science assessment requirements of No Child Left Behind.

The Houghton Mifflin Science program's mix of content reading, support for inquiry, and use of technology for learning is a powerful combination that maximizes the effectiveness of the learning process for both student and teacher. Some of the technology components of Houghton Mifflin Science include science simulations, a video series created exclusively by National Geographic Video, interactive lab videos, an eBook, and an online library of Cricket magazine articles that connect to the student text and bring science to life.

The authors of Houghton Mifflin Science are William Badders, director of the Cleveland Mathematics and Science Partnership; Douglas Carnine, Ph.D., professor of education at University of Oregon, Eugene; James Feliciani, supervisor of instructional media and technology, Pasco County School District, Land O'Lakes, Florida; Bobby Jeanpierre, Ph.D., assistant professor of elementary/middle school science education at the University of Central Florida, Orlando; Carolyn Sumners, Ph.D., director of astronomy and physical sciences at Houston Museum of Natural Science; and Catherine Valentino, author-in-residence at Houghton Mifflin Company.

The 24 modules in the new Experience Science kit-based program were developed by science educator Linda Poore. The program features real science materials — such as thermometers, scales and magnifiers — in quantities that allow students to work in pairs or small groups. The high-quality materials are durable, so additional purchases of science equipment need not be made every year.

Each module consists of a teacher preparation video, a Houghton Mifflin Science eBook to provide additional content and further exploration of topics, student readers that further develop the science content learned through the hands-on activities, a teacher guide and teaching transparencies.

Both Houghton Mifflin Science and Experience Science offer online support for students, teachers and parents, including program support family newsletters and vocabulary games.

"Teachers told us they needed help fitting effective science teaching into their day," said Kirby Mansfield, vice president and editor-in-chief of Mathematics, Science and Instructional Technology, Houghton Mifflin School Division. "These two programs will give teachers the support they need to get excellent science instruction into the limited time they have and to help all students understand science."

For more information, visit www.eduplace.com/science/.

About Houghton Mifflin Company
Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Company is one of the leading educational publishers in the United States, with more than $1 billion in sales. Houghton Mifflin publishes textbooks, instructional technology, assessments and other educational materials for elementary and secondary schools and colleges. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers. With its origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. The Company's Web site can be found at www.hmco.com.