Session 1: Survey the Curriculum
Goal for this session: The new vision of science education focuses on deep understanding of a limited number of disciplinary core science ideas (DCIs). In this session, you look at your curriculum through the lens of a DCI. You’ll identify sequences of curriculum learning experiences that build toward the overarching learning goal.
Session 2: Target Core Ideas
Goal for this session: In this session, you analyze a short sequence of learning experiences within your curriculum through the lens of a Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI). You’ll identify learning goals that build toward the target core idea, and eliminate learning goals and experiences that don’t.
Session 3: Lead with a Question
Goal for this session: Science begins with questions about the natural world. In this session you craft an investigation question that guides activities and discussions and leads students to a deeper understanding of a disciplinary core idea (DCI).
Session 4: Highlight Evidence
Goal for this session: In the NGSS vision, students learn that science relies on evidence to answer questions about the natural world. As you plan your lessons, consider what evidence students will need to develop explanations and what classroom activities will lead to the evidence.
Session 5: Focus on Making Meaning
Goal for this session: NGSS Practices require social interaction and discourse as everyday classroom activities.In this session, you will plan full class discussions where students share their thinking and reasoning as they make sense of their classroom work.
