Science for the Middle Grades
NGSS Setting a New Course 2
A Few Conceptual Shifts in CA NGSS California K-12 Science Education: • reflects the interconnected nature of science as it is practiced and experienced in the real world. • builds coherently from K-12. • focuses on deeper understanding of content as well as the application of content.
How We Got Here! How California developed the Middle Grade Learning Progressions.
State Board of Education November 2013 Decision The SBE unanimously adopted: The integrated learning progression model as the preferred model of instruction for grades 6-8. AND Authorized an alternative model that is discipline specific for grades 6-8.
California Science Expert Panel 27 Science Education Experts K-12 Teachers, COE Science Leaders, IHE Faculty, Business, Industry, and Informal Science Centers Noted Scientist Advisors Dr. Bruce Alberts Dr. Helen Quinn Dr. Art Sussman California State Board of Education Liaisons Trish Williams Ilene Straus
“ When we try to pick out something by itself, we find that is hitched to everything else in the Universe .” - John Muir
Photosynthesis or Geologic Time Select one of these topics. Work with your table group to brainstorm the concepts a student needs to know to fully understand the bigger idea. Display your groups ideas in a concept map and be prepared to share.
Criteria for Selecting Integrated Middle Grade PEs Include PEs from Life, Earth and Space, and Physical each year Be arranged to provide a transition from elementary to high school Align with the cognitive demands of CCSS ELA and Math Build within and across grade levels Be balanced in complexity and quantity at each grade Integrate engineering appropriately
Articulation Example Life Science grades 4 th – 8th Life Science 8 th Natural Selection 7 th Ecosystems 6 th Cells/Organisms 5 th Food Chains/Webs 4 th Internal and External Structures/Functions
An Example of Eighth Grade Topics
Example Integration 8 th Grade Earth Engineering and human impact Natural History and selection Space Science stability Energy
CA’s Preferred Integrated Progression 6 th Grade - 19 PEs; 30 DCIs 7 th Grade - 22 PEs; 37 DCIs 8 th Grade - 26 PEs; 38 DCIs Including life, Earth, and physical science and Engineering, Technology and Application of Science at each grade
Alternative Discipline Specific Learning Progression Developed by the SEP as an alternative to the preferred integrated model Is based on the adopted NGSS Appendix K Aligns with Common Core State Standards Contains the PEs from each of the disciplines (Earth and Space, Life and Physical Sciences) Contains concepts from other disciplines at each grade level for complete student understanding
CA’s Alternative Discipline Learning Progressions 6 th Grade (Earth and Space Science) 19 PEs; 52 DCIs 7 th Grade (Life Science) 24 PEs; 52 DCIs 8 th Grade (Physical Science) 23 PEs; 43 DCIs Including Engineering, Technology and Application of Science at each grade
Because The integrated progression is the preferred pathway from the State Board of Education for middle grade science instruction, we will take a deep dive into the thinking and implementation of the progression.
Reminder!! Performance Expectations (PEs) are what each student should know and be able to do at the end of the instructional sequence. They do NOT define the Instructional sequence (Curriculum) or the instructional strategies that the teacher utilizes to achieve the outcome. How you “ bundle ” PEs for instruction is up to you or your district.
How Does One Bundle? Phenomena
Deep Dive ! Using the 7 th grade PEs: Review the PEs for the core ideas for each discipline. Consider what would be the best way to bundle the PEs for full deep student understanding. Consider developing a cohesive storyline. Add in concepts and ideas that the PEs might be missing.
Deep Dive Continued ! Consider how your local context might impact the way the PEs are bundled. Chart your ideas into a concept map. Be prepared to share your ideas.
CDE Rationale Grade 7 Read the Rationale Document (pages 16-17) from CDE for grade 7. • How does the thinking in that document resonate with your thinking as you bundled the PEs? • What is similar? What is different? • How does thinking about instruction and assessment help you determine which bundles are most productive?
Creative Implementation Teach life, Earth/space and physical sciences in 6 th , 7 th and 8 th grade as individual units during the year. Teachers collaborate to share expertise with colleagues as they teach all three disciplines within the year. Combine expertise at grade level — students rotate from teachers who stay in their disciplines-(Team Teach) Ease in implementation over the next several years
Where Can We Start? Don’t Know? Not Ready? • Consider what you are currently teaching — how can you increase the opportunity for students to learn through the SEPs? How might you incorporate engineering? Ready to Tackle the Issues • Build awareness with your colleagues; make informed decisions • Provide a structure to move from the current status to a NGSS aligned integrated structure
One idea for a SLOW transition from ‘98 standards to NGSS Developed by Palm Spring USD
One Idea for a FASTER transition from ‘98 Standards to NGSS Developed by Palm Springs USD
One Idea for FASTEST Change JUST DO IT!
http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/ngssintrod.asp Facebook group Search: California Middle School science teachers
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