Understand the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

NAVIGATE TO: Mini-Course Portfolio | ETAP 623 Fall 2017 Section 7619

What is This Course About?

Hello, and welcome to this course on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). If you are a teacher who will be affected by the NGSS and feel overwhelmed by or are unaware of the expectations and pathway these standards are headed, this is the perfect course for you. Throughout this course you will get a quick synopsis on what the standards are, how you can gear your instruction towards 3-dimensional learning, and how you can create assessments that are 3-dimensional. You will also be given some great online resources that you can keep for yourself when designing your new, revamped curriculum. You will learn about the 3 major dimensions to the standards, and how to write proper lessons and assessments based on the standards.

The New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) are based off of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS were created with the intention of being implemented nationwide. In order to understand the NYSSLS, we first need to understand the NGSS, which is what this course will mainly focus on. Each state has the ability to adapt the standards, and NYS has taken full advantage of this opportunity. Throughout this course we will mainly focus on the NGSS themselves, but you should understand that certain states have taken these standards and added other material to them. Depending on the state that you teach in, it is encouraged that you take the information learned from this course and determine how it may differ in your individual state.

Before delving into this course, make sure you have taken a look at the prerequisites and that you are prepared for this course (provided below). Should you meet the prerequisites for the course, you will further find the course objectives for each unit being offered.

Should I Take This Course?

If you are unsure whether or not you will benefit from this course, below is a list of individuals who will certainly be effected by the NGSS:

• Any secondary level science teacher
• Middle School science teachers
• Elementary teachers grades k-6
• Administrators (Principals, Superintendents, Curriculum Directors, etc.)
• Building/District Leaders (Department Chairs, Learning Coaches, etc.)

* School-aged child's parent This one may seem odd, but being a parent in a world of changing academic standards can be daunting. If you want to stay on top of what your children will be learning in school and how they will be taught and tested, you should skim through this course.

Prerequisites Upon Entry

**Participants first need to join our Google Classroom using the code ckh1mdc**

**Participants second need to join our EdPuzzle Classroom using the code ceblahi**

Before starting this course, participants will need to have a general understanding of the following:

• Edpuzzle
• Google Drive (including but not limited to):
  • Google Classroom
  • Google Docs
  • Google Slides
  • Google Forms

• General computer skills such as:
  • Downloading files from the web
  • Reading documents from the web
  • Creating files

Course Level Objectives

Upon the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the 3 major platforms of the NGSS
• Analyze various teaching methods to address the NGSS
• Create a unit plan designed around the NGSS
• Create an assessment based on the NGSS

Ready to Get Started?

Unit 1: "How and What": 3-Dimensional

• Participants will explain what the 3 major platforms of the NGSS are.
• Brainstorm how a classroom can be run 3-dimensionally.

Unit 2: How to Teach Using a 3-Dimensional Model of Instruction

• Analyze the 5E model for instruction.
• Re-sequence a set of lessons so that they fit more appropriately into the 5E model.
• Describe an alternative teaching method that would fit in with the NGSS.

Unit 3: How to Create a 3-Dimensional Unit

• Participants will discuss to what extent their classrooms already run 3-dimensionally.
• Participants can explore how to create lessons using the 5E model.
• Participants can create a unit plan that is aligned to the NGSS, utilizing a teaching model from the previous unit (the 5E model or one of their own choosing).

Unit 4: How to Create a 3-Dimensional Assessment

• Participants will brainstorm how their current assessments are or are not 3-dimensional.
• Participants will discuss new insights gained about 3-dimensional assessments.
• Participants will observe the performance expectations from their topic of choice.
• Participants will be able to create 3-dimensional assessments (both formative and summative) based on their unit of choice.

References

“Topic Arrangements of the NGSS.” Next Generation Science Standards, www.nextgenscience.org.

“BSCS 5E Instructional Model.” BSCS 5E Instructional Model, BSCS Curriculum Study, 18 Jan. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is7a3nkoe-g.

The 5E Model of Instruction. CSCOPE, borderlandsnarratives.utep.edu/images/5E_Model_of_Instruction_CSCOPE_072002_1_1.pdf.

Erickson, Kristen, and Shannon Verstynen. “The 5E Instructional Model.” The 5E Instructional Model. NASA EClips, nasaeclips.arc.nasa.gov/teachertoolbox/the5e.

“Five Tools and Processes for NGSS.” American Museum of Natural History, www.amnh.org/explore/curriculum-collections/five-tools-and-processes-for-ngss/.

Penuel, William, et al. “Steps to Designing a 3 Dimensional Assessment.” doi:http://stemteachingtools.org/assets/landscapes/STEM-Teaching-Tool-29-Steps-to-Designing-3D-Assessments.pdf.