CUSD K-5 NGSS Adoption:  Elevate by Savvas (formerly Pearson K12 Learning)

We are pleased to announce that on May 7, 2020 the CUSD board adopted Elevate Science as the new NGSS curriculum for K-5th grades.  Click here for a program overview. 

How is NGSS Different?

Students take a more active role

• Making sense of phenomena
• Finding solutions to problems

NGSS is built around three dimensions of learning

• Disciplinary Core Ideas
• Crosscutting Concepts  
• Science and Engineering Practices

Seven Key Conceptual Shifts

1. K-12 science education should reflect the interconnected nature of science as it is practiced and experienced in the real world.
2. The next generation science standards are student performance expectations – NOT curriculum.
3. The science concepts in the NGSS build coherently from K–12.
4. The NGSS focus on deeper understanding of content as well as application of content.
5. Science and engineering are integrated in the NGSS, from K–12.
6. The NGSS are designed to prepare students for college, career, and citizenship.
7. The NGSS and Common Core State Standards (English Language Arts and Mathematics) are aligned.

NGSS Resources

• California Science Test (CAST)
• SCCOE NGSS resources
• Next Generation Science Standards
• NGSS for California Public Schools, K-12
• Phenomena videos for NGSS
• Exploratorium’s Science Snacks (exploring natural phenomena)
• New Classroom Videos Demonstrating Transitions to NGSS
• Teaching NGSS Engineering Design through Media
• Developing Assessments for NGSS
• CSTA NGSS Site  
• NGSS @ NSTA
• Concord Consortium:Finding Path through NGSS
• NGSS @ NSTA Matrix of Science and Engineering Practices
• NGSS Classroom Sample Assessment Tasks 

Additional Resources and Supports:

• NASA Resources: STEM Classroom Combos

• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Project-Based Science

• PG&E Energy Education Series: Water, Energy, and the Environment

• Discovery Ed/3M Science of Everyday Life: Lesson Plans

• Gardening: Agriculture in the Classroom Lessons

• Computer Science in Science Project Guts (Growing Up Thinking Scientifically)

• BloomSky: Weather Camera;  BloomSky iPad App

• Engineering is Everywhere: Middle School Units

• The Tech Museum of Innovation: Design Challenge Lessons; Tech Challenge

• Try Engineering: Resources & Lessons

• Caine’s Arcade: Global Cardboard Challenge