NGSS Crosscutting Concepts - Organized by Grade Level

1. PATTERNS 
1. Grades K -2
1. Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.
2. Grades 3 - 5
1. Patterns of change can be used to make predictions. 
2. Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort and classify natural phenomena and designed products. 
3. Patterns can be used as evidence to support an explanation.
4. Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort, classify, communicate and analyze simple rates of change for natural phenomena.
2. CAUSE AND EFFECT
1. Grades K - 2
1. Simple tests can be designed to gather evidence to support or refute student ideas about causes.
2. Events have causes that generate observable patterns. 
2. Grades 3 - 5 
1. Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified, tested, and used to explain change. 
3. SCALE, PROPORTION, AND QUANTITY 
1. Grades 3 - 5
1. Observable phenomena exist from very short to very long time periods.
2. Natural objects exist from the very small to the immensely large.
3. Standard units are used to measure and describe physical quantities such as weight, time, temperature, and volume. 
4. SYSTEMS AND SYSTEM MODELS 
1. Grades K - 2
1. Systems in the natural and designed world have parts that work together.
2. Grades 3 - 5
1. A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions. 
2. Observable phenomena exist from very short to very long time periods.
5. ENERGY AND MATTER
1. Grades K - 2
1. Objects may break into smaller pieces and be put together into larger pieces, or change shapes. 
2. Grades 3 - 5 
1. Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects. 
2. Matter is transported into, out of, and within systems. 
6. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
1. Grades K - 2
1. The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their function(s).
7. STABILITY AND CHANGE
1. Grades K - 2
1. Things may change slowly or rapidly.
8. INTERDEPENDENCE OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY 
1. Grades K - 2
1. People encounter questions about the natural world every day. 
2. Grades 3 - 5
1. Scientific discoveries about the natural world can often lead to new and improved technologies, which are developed through the engineering design process.
2. Knowledge of relevant scientific concepts and research findings is important in engineering.
9. INFLUENCE OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE ON SOCIETY AND THE NATURAL WORLD 
1. Grades K - 2
1. People depend on various technologies in their lives; human life would be very different without technology.
2. Every human-made product is designed by applying some knowledge of the natural world and is built using materials derived from the natural world. 
3. Developing and using technology has impacts on the natural world. 
2. Grades 3 - 5
   1. Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones to increase their benefits (e.g., better artificial limbs), decrease known risks (e.g., seatbelts in cars), and meet societal demands (e.g., cell phones).
   2. Over time, people’s needs and wants change, as do their demands for new and improved technologies. 

How do Mother Otters Help Their Babies Survive? - a 1st grade Science Unit

Teacher Candidate Perceptions of Seeding a Living Lab and Constructing Indigenous Knowledge

PDS Presentation

 

Resources

1. Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices (A Summary)

Preschool Science: Should it be Taught?

Witt, M. (2012). Preschool Science: Should it be taught? Unpublished manuscript, SUNY College at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.

Forces and Motion - Studying Physics

NGSS Practice: Record information (observations, thoughts, and ideas).[1]

Question: What happened? (use the word force in your answer)

Structured Inquiry Directions:

1. Touch the image to go to the science simulation
2. Place a medium blue figure on the 4th rope knot on the left side of the trolley 
3. Place two red figures on the 1st and 3rd rope knots on the right side of the trolley 
4. Touch the Go button

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[1] - Grades K-2 (Analyze data by collecting, recording, and sharing observations)

Mapping NGSS Science Practices to PhET Science Simulations

Science Investigations that can be done in 10 - 20 minutes with K - 6 students.

1. Resistance in a Wire - Studying Physics
1. NGSS Practice: Make observations to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.
2. Question: What is the relationship between length and resistance in a wire?
2. Forces and Motion - Studying Physics
1. NGSS Practice: Record information (observations, thoughts, and ideas).
2. Question: What happened? (use the word force in your answer)
3. Projectile Motion - Studying Physics
1. NGSS Practice: Describe, measure, estimate, and/or graph quantities (e.g., area, volume, weight, time) to address a scientific question.
2. Question: At what angle do have to set the cannon in order to hit the target?

Resistance in a Wire - Studying Physics

NGSS Practice: Make observations to collect data that can be used to make comparisons. [1]

Question: What is the relationship between length and resistance in a wire?

Directions:
(1.) Touch the image to go to the science simulation
(2.) Use the sliders to help you answer the question
(3.) Construct a data collection table to help you organize your investigations

Resistance in a Wire

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[1] - Grades K-2 (Conduct simple investigations, based on fair tests, which provide data to support explanations or design solutions)

Virtual Field Experience #1 - Scientific Modeling in the Early Grades

Hi, in this “field” experience you are going to watch video clips of kindergarten and 1st/2nd grade teachers and students engaged in model based inquiry. The lessons you will see took place near or in Seattle, Washington.

You will meet: Dr. Jessica Thompson (science education professor), Michelle Salgado (science education PhD student), Kaia Tomokiyo (K teacher), Fallon King (1st/2nd grade teacher) and a lot of young k - 2 children.

You will not see full lessons, you will watch video clips and teacher commentaries