Transitioning to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) can seem overwhelming. However, updating your interactive notebooks can make this process smoother. Interactive notebooks are powerful tools for engaging students and enhancing their learning. They help students organize their thoughts, reflect on their learning, and develop critical thinking skills.
This guide will provide everything you need to update your notebook for NGSS, making the transition easier and more efficient. It will also help you decide what to keep from your current notebooks and what to get rid of.
How does the NGSS Change Science Learning
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were introduced in 2013. Since then, teachers have been working to change their lessons to meet the new requirements. These standards aim to improve science education and better prepare students for future challenges. Let’s look at some of the significant changes that have come with the NGSS and how they transform learning in the classroom.
A 3-Dimensional Approach
One significant change is the introduction of three-dimensional standards. This means that learning goes beyond just content. Students explore connections between disciplines through crosscutting concepts. They also learn to do science by integrating science and engineering practices into their lessons. This holistic approach ensures that students develop a deeper understanding of scientific principles.
To learn more about 3-dimensional learning, check out this blog post.
Using Phenomena to Enhance Learning
Another key aspect of NGSS is the shift to a phenomenon-based approach. Instead of learning concepts in isolation, students explore real-world phenomena. This contextual learning helps students see the relevance of science in their everyday lives. They investigate questions and solve problems, making science more engaging and meaningful.
Saying Goodbye to Front-Loading
NGSS also moves away from front-loading information. Traditional methods often involve teaching all the content first and then applying it. However, NGSS promotes a discovery-based approach. Teachers guide students through exploring and discovering concepts on their own. This method fosters curiosity and encourages active learning. Students build knowledge through experience, making their learning more impactful and memorable.
5 Steps to Updating Your Interactive Notebook for NGSS
We’ve discussed some of the big ideas in the shift to NGSS. Now, let’s focus on the day-to-day pieces found in the interactive notebook. This shift can be very overwhelming, so I’ve developed five simple steps to help you out. These steps will guide you through updating your notebooks to align with NGSS, making the transition smoother and more manageable.
Step 1: De-Emphasize Teacher Input
Traditional interactive notebooks follow a left-side/right-side structure. Teacher input, like notes and readings, goes on the right side. Student input, reflecting on what they learned, goes on the left. Typically, this setup involves a lot of teacher lecturing, with students then doing something with the information. This means that half of the notebook is teacher-driven.
However, in an NGSS classroom, the focus shifts away from teacher-centered learning. Instead, the majority of the learning is student-driven. The teacher facilitates learning while allowing students to explore, question, and discover on their own. This reduces the emphasis on teacher input and makes the notebook a tool for active learning.
Saying Goodbye to the Left & Right Side of the Notebook
To support this shift, ditch the left-side/right-side structure. Fill out pages in order, allowing students to add content as they learn it. This approach doesn’t reserve half of the notebook pages for teacher input. Therefore, it aligns better with the discovery-based approach of NGSS.
Step 2: Use an Explore-Before-Explain Approach
In the traditional teaching model, lessons start with the teacher providing information. However, in an NGSS aligned classroom, we shift to an “explore before explain” approach. Instead of beginning with explanations, teachers offer students opportunities to explore. This might be through demonstrations, investigations, or other activities.
Students figure out as much as they can on their own. Then, the teacher provides additional information to address misconceptions and clear up incomplete ideas. This can be done through videos, readings, lectures, and more.
Using Storylines
This flow from one related idea to another is called a storyline. A storyline is a coherent sequence of lessons where each step builds on the previous one. It allows students to see the connections between concepts. And, student understanding of a concept develops over time. By using a storyline, teachers create a more engaging and meaningful learning experience. This approach ensures that students are actively involved in their learning process and can connect new knowledge to what they already know.
Its important that this structure be reflected in the notebook. As a result, the NGSS aligned notebook likely shows a change in understanding over time.
Step 3: Make Room for All Three Dimensions of NGSS
Updating your notebook for NGSS means including all three dimensions: disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices (SEPs), and crosscutting concepts (CCCs). Students should not only focus on the core ideas but also engage with SEPs and CCCs. For instance, the NGSS emphasizes modeling. Students can include various models in their notebooks to represent scientific concepts. Additionally, they might annotate graphs and data tables, aligning with the practice of analyzing and interpreting data.
Using Graphic Organizers to Support a 3D Approach
To help students make connections to SEPs and CCCs, I like using graphic organizers. These tools provide a clear and structured way for students to link their learning to the practices and concepts. Graphic organizers can guide students in identifying patterns, understanding systems, and seeing the broader connections between different scientific ideas. This approach ensures that notebooks are active tools for developing a deeper understanding of science.
Step 4: Allow Room for Error in Student Notebooks
In a discovery-based learning environment, students’ understanding will change over time. It’s essential to explicitly tell students that their notebooks must have room for error. This means they should expect their initial ideas to evolve as they learn more.
For example, students compare how food coloring disperses in hot water versus cold water. This investigation shows that temperature affects particle motion, but it doesn’t explain how far the particles are spaced out.
At this point, the teacher would introduce another component to the storyline to address this hole in understanding. For instance, they could have students compress solids, liquids, and gases in a syringe to compare their compressibility. Students might initially model liquids at a particle level with the particles very close together or touching. As they learn about liquid compression and compare liquids to solids, they will understand that liquid particles are actually farther apart.
It’s important for the interactive notebook to show how students understanding changes over time. Tracking the storyline allows students to track how their understanding developed.
Step 5: Make Space for Key Takeaways
While a discovery-based learning approach is generally more engaging, it sometimes leave students with an unclear or incomplete understanding of concepts. To address this, it’s important to include a specific place for key takeaways in the notebook. This helps students consolidate their learning and clarify any misconceptions.
I usually organize these takeaways into two columns. The first column is “What We Learned,” where students summarize the key concepts they have discovered. The second column is “How We Figured It Out,” which recaps the discovery component, such as a demonstration, investigation, or activity. This structure reinforces the learning process by connecting the concept to the method of discovery. It ensures that students not only remember the key points but also understand the context and process that led to their conclusions. This approach helps solidify their understanding and makes their learning journey more coherent and meaningful.
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