5. Core Resource Selection
Being intentional and thoughtful in selecting a core resource was important as the selection is a five-year commitment and we want students and teachers to have the best possible resources supporting instruction. A commitment (and expected outcome) was that within each of the three levels (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) a common core resource would be used so that students experience consistency in language and format as they move from grade to grade within that level. A particular challenge was, with rapid and relatively recent embracing of the NGSS nationwide, curriculum resource providers have been scurrying to offer "NGSS aligned" programs. Vetting programs was important to separate those offerings that were built from the ground up specifically driven by the NGSS and those programs that were retrofitted with "NGSS" language but did not truly reflect the three dimensional nature and instructional design essential for a true NGSS alignment.
After careful comparisons of a number of programs, the elementary (K-5) and middle school (6-8) subgroups of the team each independently recommended the utilization of Stemscopes as their primary curriculum resource and the high school chose the McGraw-Hill Inspire Science series for biology, chemistry, and physics.
Stemscopes, an AccelerateLEARNING program is a complete digital program that sprung out of a curriculum project at Rice University and was developed specifically to the NGSS. It is made up of a series of "scopes" in which students experience and investigate natural phenomena and build understandings of the NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas while engaging in the NGSS Science and Engineering practices to explain those phenomena. Each scope includes not only student activities but teacher resources, assessments, intervention, ELL, and extension support.
The Stemscopes activities involve many physical classroom explorations and require supporting science equipment and supply kits, which were provided to ensure students could successfully and meaningfully engage in the activities.
Additionally, NGSS aligned science readers from Sundance-Newbridge were selected for grades K-2 to be utilized during literacy time to supplement the explorations that will occur during the weekly science time at those grades.
McGraw-Hill Inspire Science is a digital program (with print-based options) that was developed specifically for the NGSS for biology, chemistry, and physics. It includes not only a robust and interactive student experience, but it also offers significant teacher support through assessments, interventions, and extensions.
After careful comparisons of a number of programs, the elementary (K-5) and middle school (6-8) subgroups of the team each independently recommended the utilization of Stemscopes as their primary curriculum resource and the high school chose the McGraw-Hill Inspire Science series for biology, chemistry, and physics.
Stemscopes, an AccelerateLEARNING program is a complete digital program that sprung out of a curriculum project at Rice University and was developed specifically to the NGSS. It is made up of a series of "scopes" in which students experience and investigate natural phenomena and build understandings of the NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas while engaging in the NGSS Science and Engineering practices to explain those phenomena. Each scope includes not only student activities but teacher resources, assessments, intervention, ELL, and extension support.
The Stemscopes activities involve many physical classroom explorations and require supporting science equipment and supply kits, which were provided to ensure students could successfully and meaningfully engage in the activities.
Additionally, NGSS aligned science readers from Sundance-Newbridge were selected for grades K-2 to be utilized during literacy time to supplement the explorations that will occur during the weekly science time at those grades.
McGraw-Hill Inspire Science is a digital program (with print-based options) that was developed specifically for the NGSS for biology, chemistry, and physics. It includes not only a robust and interactive student experience, but it also offers significant teacher support through assessments, interventions, and extensions.