INTRO
Michigan adopted the Michigan Science Standards (MSS) in 2015, heavily inspired by the Next Generation Science Standards based on the NRC Framework. It is important to note the Michigan did not fully adopt, there are some slight differences. The MSS have some standards that are noted with
to encourage teachers to bring the content back to our local environment and Michigan context. For all intents and purposes, refer to the NGSS site for guidance on the Performance Expectations.
READ
Quick Reads:
STEM Teaching Tools
EXPLORE
WATCH
PLAN
Having read and watched more about the Performance Expectations. There are a couple options for you as you plan (remember this work should take at least an hour)
A - Start thinking about scope and sequence. How will you organize all the PEs you need to cover in your course or throughout the year? Michigan adopted Topic Arrangement. This can help to organize the PEs into bundles or units. Many Middle School curricula will be an integrated approach, meaning that you'll have units with PEs from different disciplines. HS and MS can use this tool to organize the PEs into courses, then units. K-5 your PEs are sorted and bundled into units, you are may benefit more from the following option.
B - Start unpacking! There's a lot in these Performance Expectations - three dimensions. We need to take a look at what each PE includes. You'll start by looking at the PEs, and breaking apart the three dimensions. Read the NRC Framework or NSTA@NGSS Hub - just to get you started:
SEP: What does this look like K-12? How is it scaffolded? What does it look like in your classroom? Are students doing the work?
DCI: What gaps do you notice in the K-12 scope (look at Appendix E)? How do you scaffold for content that wasn't "covered" in years before your group? How is this different than the GLCEs/HSCEs (note the verbs and think about Blooms)?
CCC: How are these equally important? Where to these exist in your PEs? Some overlap with SEPs or DCIs, but how are they different? Are you purposefully planning for these?
DO
Complete this Google Form to get credit for your work. This is how I will track (and prove) completion of the work for SCECHs.
REFLECT + SHARE
It is so important for you to really think about how this has impacted your classroom. What shifts are you making, or hoping to make to put students in the drivers seat of their learning? How will you ensure that students are scaffolded in the Science and Engineering Practices? How will you make sure they are the ones constructing the explanations, developing the models, and planning the investigations?
REFLECT: Take some time to reflect and think about what shifts you can make. Pick a practice or two coming up in your next unit and really think about ways that you can have some gradual release with your students to have them DOING the science instead of just hearing it or seeing it.
SHARE: As a science team (maybe 2 or even 10) go through the NGSS Implementation Indicators, what are some areas your team could focus on or make a conscious effort. This may even be a step for your department or leadership team to make some plans for next year. Where are you in your implementation? Are there areas where you are excelling? Are there areas you hadn't really considered?
Maybe next year could be the year that science gets the spotlight!
Of course, feel free to reach out for support, I'd be happy to work through it with you.