4. 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 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. NGSS content is focused on preparing students for the next generation workforce.
7. The NGSS and Common Core State Standards ( English Language Arts and
Mathematics) are Aligned.
5. Inquiry Standards
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Students will explore the importance of curiosity,
honesty, openness, and skepticism in science and will
exhibit these traits in their own efforts to understand
how the world works.
Students will use standard safety practices for all
classroom laboratory and field investigations.
Students will have the computation and estimation skills
necessary for analyzing data and following scientific
explanations.
Students will use tools and instruments for observing,
measuring, and manipulating equipment and materials
in scientific activities utilizing safe laboratory
procedures.
Students will use the ideas of system, model, change,
and scale in exploring scientific and technological
matters.
Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities
clearly.
Students will question scientific claims and arguments
effectively.
Content Standards
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Distinguish between atoms and molecules.
Describe the difference between pure substances
(elements and compounds) and mixtures.
Describe the movement of particles in solids,
liquids, gases, and plasmas states.
Distinguish between physical and chemical
properties of matter as physical (i.e., density,
melting point, boiling point) or chemical (i.e.,
reactivity, combustibility).
Distinguish between changes in matter as physical
(i.e., physical change) or chemical (development of
a gas, formation of precipitate, and change in color).
Recognize that there are more than 100 elements
and some have similar properties as shown on the
Periodic Table of Elements.
Identify and demonstrate the Law of Conservation
of Matter.
6. Current State Middle School Science Standard
a. Distinguish between atoms and molecules.
b. Describe the difference between pure substances (elements and
compounds) and mixtures.
c. Describe the movement of particles in solids, liquids, gases, and
plasmas states.
d. Distinguish between physical and chemical properties of matter as
physical (i.e., density, melting point, boiling point) or chemical (i.e.,
reactivity, combustibility).
e. Distinguish between changes in matter as physical (i.e., physical
change) or chemical (development of a gas, formation of precipitate, and
change in color).
f. Recognize that there are more than 100 elements and some have
similar properties as shown on the Periodic Table of Elements.
g. Identify and demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Matter.
7. Current State Middle School Science Standard
a. Distinguish between atoms and molecules.
b. Describe the difference between pure substances (elements and
compounds) and mixtures.
c. Describe the movement of particles in solids, liquids, gases, and
plasmas states.
d. Distinguish between physical and chemical properties of matter as
physical (i.e., density, melting point, boiling point) or chemical (i.e.,
reactivity, combustibility).
e. Distinguish between changes in matter as physical (i.e., physical
change) or chemical (development of a gas, formation of precipitate, and
change in color).
f. Recognize that there are more than 100 elements and some have
similar properties as shown on the Periodic Table of Elements.
g. Identify and demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Matter.
8. NGSS Middle School Sample
a. Develop molecular-level models of a variety of substances, comparing those with simple
molecules to those with extended structures.
b. Design a solution that solves a practical problem by using characteristic chemical and
physical properties of pure substances.*
c. Develop a molecular level model that depicts and predicts why either temperature change
and/or change of state can occur when adding or removing thermal energy from a pure
substance.
d. Develop molecular models of reactants and products to support the explanation
that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved in a chemical reaction.
e. Analyze and interpret the properties of products and reactants to determine if a chemical
reaction has occurred.
f. Gather and communicate information that people's needs and desires for new materials
drive chemistry forward, and that synthetic materials come from natural resources and
impact society.*
g. Design, construct, and test a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by
chemical processes.*
9. NGSS Middle School Sample
a. Develop molecular-level models of a variety of substances, comparing those with simple
molecules to those with extended structures.
b. Design a solution that solves a practical problem by using characteristic chemical and
physical properties of pure substances.*
c. Develop a molecular level model that depicts and predicts why either temperature change
and/or change of state can occur when adding or removing thermal energy from a pure
substance.
d. Develop molecular models of reactants and products to support the explanation that atoms,
and therefore mass, are conserved in a chemical reaction.
e. Analyze and interpret the properties of products and reactants to determine if a chemical
reaction has occurred.
f. Gather and communicate information that people's needs and desires for new materials drive
chemistry forward, and that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact
society.*
g. Design, construct, and test a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by
chemical processes.*
This tab includes links to Model Units developed by teams of teachers from around the statePractice Modules aligned to the Common CoreMSDE Framework Crosswalk between the old Core Learning goals and the Common CoreAnd Professional Development Resources
The next tab includes modules, resources, and activities for teachers to integrate into their classroom instruction. In addition, there is information about the HSA courses and adolescent literary
The Common Core Resources tab includes publications from MSDE about PARCC and the common core regarding the history, development, and policies.
The final tab links to resources for parents including the top 10 things parents need to know about the common core and the next generation of assessments.
As Maryland continues the transition to full implementation of the Common Core, it is important to remember the resources available from our partner ship with 21 other states.The best way to stay abreast of the changes is to sign up for PARCC updates on the PARCC website. Located in different sections, you can also find -the prototypes -a modification manual-the sample texts -the rubrics Upcoming anticipated items include the speaking and listening standards this Fall and student samples after field testing in the Spring.