Lesson 1: Defining CCCs, SEPs, & DCIs
Objective:
Learners will... Analyze the structure and components of the standards for Earth Science.
Purpose: What are CCCs, SEPs, & DCIs?
In this unit, we will discover what these acronyms stand for and how they are defined in the standards. Follow through each step of the assignment to analyze the matrixes of each component and complete the table linked below throughout your analysis. This lesson is exploratory and requires you to analyze and summarize your findings. This is an example of an introductory inquiry unit.
Assignment:
1: Visit this Google Folder: Google Folder Link
2: MAKE A COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sMo-gjmEW2blRUyaobZeB43fWTzWRyctqoNdtLFvaeQ/edit?usp=sharing
3. Title your document "YOURLASTNAME_lessons1&2"
4: Complete the table on the document by analyzing the 3 matrixes supplied in the Google Folder.
TEMPLATE:
| CCCs | SEPs | DCIs |
| What does the acronym stand for? | What does the acronym stand for? | What does the acronym stand for? |
| List the 7 CCCs in NGSS... | List the 8 SEPs in NGSS... | List the 12 DCIs for Earth & Space Sciences Specifically... |
At the end of this lesson you should be able to...
- Define what each acronym means; CCC, SEP, DCI.
- List the specific CCCs, SEPs, and DCIs within each matrix.
Lesson Summary
CCCs, SEPs, and DCIs are components of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which are guidelines for K-12 science education in the United States. They stand for Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), and Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs).
1. **Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs)**: These are overarching concepts that span across all science disciplines. They provide a way of linking different domains of science together. CCCs are important because they help students make connections between different scientific ideas and understand the commonalities among various scientific disciplines.
2. **Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs)**: These are the behaviors and skills that scientists and engineers engage in as they investigate the natural world and design solutions to problems. SEPs are important because they emphasize the active engagement of students in scientific inquiry and engineering design processes, helping them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
3. **Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs)**: These are the key concepts, principles, and facts within each scientific discipline that students are expected to learn. They provide the foundational knowledge for understanding science. DCIs are important because they represent the fundamental concepts and principles of each scientific discipline, providing students with a coherent and comprehensive understanding of science.
Together, CCCs, SEPs, and DCIs form the three-dimensional framework of the NGSS, which aims to promote deeper understanding of science by integrating core ideas with scientific practices and crosscutting concepts. This approach helps students develop a more holistic view of science and prepares them for the complex challenges of the 21st century.
Reflection Directions
Please make a Google Doc and title it "YOURLASTNAME_JOURNAL". This will be your reflective learning journal that you will add to at the end of each lesson. Following each lesson, please add to this document the lesson and unit, reflection question, and your response.
Example:
Lesson 1, Unit 1
Which component of NGSS do you think is most beneficial to science students? CCCs, DCIs, or SEPs? Explain.
Type your response here...
Reflection Question:
Please add the your response to your reflective journal.
Which component of NGSS do you think is most beneficial to science students? CCCs, DCIs, or SEPs? Explain.