Reviewed by Coralee Smith
Associate Professor Elementary Education and Reading
Could you use some help understanding and getting ready to implement the new and anticipated science standards? Are you looking for a helpful reader’s guide from NSTA that not only describes the three key dimensions of A Framework for K–12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, but also includes comparisons of previous science standards and benchmarks with suggested actions for anyone involved in science education? Well look no further because the NSTA Reader’s Guide to the Framework for K–12 Science Education does just that. Even better, it’s FREE at the NSTA store as an e-book.(http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9781936959778) !
This reader’s guide is a helpful resource that provides an overview of the projected Framework document, comparisons to former science standards and benchmarks, and suggested actions for any person involved with teaching science to K–12 students. According to the author, Harold Pratt, “to make best use of this guide, the reader should have a copy of the Framework in hand for reference." The Framework, and many other NRC reports noted in this document, can be downloaded free of charge from the National Academies Press at www.nap.edu.
The reader’s guide does exactly what the title implies: it is a guide for all science educators so that they can be aware of and ready to utilize the upcoming science standards in their teaching and their students’ science learning. While visiting the NSTA web site I located this information, “Now—as a bonus—the volume also includes four essays by key leaders in science education, each explains the Framework further. Rodger Bybee discusses scientific and engineering practices; Cary Sneider, engineering and technology core ideas; Richard Duschl, crosscutting concepts; and Joseph Krajcik and Joi Merritt, constructing and revising models.”
Here is what you can do to do some advance preparation for the new science standards: 1. Visit the NSTA Science Store at http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9781936959778 to download a FREE copy of the reader’s guide and 2. Visit the NSTA Standards Update at http://www.nsta.org/about/standardsupdate/default.aspx for up-to-date information on work surrounding the Next Generation Science Standards. I recommend this reader’s guide as a “must have” for anyone involved in science education so that understanding and usage of the new generation science standards can be a positive and seamless processes.
Review posted on 5/30/2012
|