Why use NGSS to teach Science?

bbby

Cristi Oster, Courtney Ziska, Janae Williams,

Henley Chu, Helen Simmons, & Lindsey Fortgang

● NGSS (also known as Next Generation Science Standards) centers around

making learning more meaningful on multiple levels for all students.

NGSS is centered on student-directed learning that

challenges the student to make sense of their world.

You might be asking yourself....

…don’t panic

Early Fears in Using NGSS

At first we feared that by giving up total control and making lessons more

student-driven, little learning would get done.

However, nothing was further from the truth!

As we began to relinquish more

control of the direction of

instruction, students of all levels

became more invested and

excited about their learning.

NGSS makes teachers stop spoon feeding facts!

As we began to trust in our students’ abilities to problem solve and discover

connections on their own, their motivation to learn soared.

Collaboration for the win!

By giving students frequent opportunities to collaborate with each

other, they began to work cooperatively, while building deeper connections to content, by increasing their problem

solving abilities.

● NGSS is all about giving both teachers and students the opportunity to think of themselves as researchers and scientists.

You don’t have to be Einstein to teach science using NGSS!

● We need to remember that we and our students can become researchers and scientists together by simply not being afraid to question, explore, use our imaginations, and problem solve through trial and error to discover!

Phenomena: what?! Students are first presented with a

phenomenon:

something that exists in the world that

is hard to explain.

This naturally lends itself to

questioning, exploration and

discovery

We chose this

phenomenon to kick

off a unit on wave

properties.

Sample Unit: Waves

“I like this strategy because when we are older we won’t be scared to try things on our own. This changed the classroom community because we all worked together. This made me feel excited every day to do more science.”

- Phoebe Cho, Ms. Simmons’ Class

“My teacher uses hands-on activities. This strategy has helped me be a better learner by knowing more about the topic. I like the strategy because I like to interact with the topic. It changed my environment by learning the world around me instead of reading about it. On a scale of one to ten I will rate it a ten.”

- Edgar Mancilla, Ms. Ngo’s Class

Student Testimonials

Lastly, remember, you are not alone in transitioning to NGSS!

Diving Into Standards

Time to break it down: NGSS for Newbies

Come up with Phenomena