All Learning Progression resources

Blog Post

Seeds of Science, Roots of Reading Program Helps Students Develop Explanations

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) encourage three-dimensional thinking in students. 3-D thinking, and the process of developing scientific ...

By Jim McDonald

Middle School Elementary High School Crosscutting Concepts Curriculum Disciplinary Core Ideas Learning Progression Lesson Plans NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Journal Article

Formative Assessment Probes: Uncovering Students’ Ideas About Inherited Traits

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue discusses the “Baby Mice” probe, which is designed for middle a...

Elementary Life Science Assessment Learning Progression

Journal Article

Methods and Strategies: Teaching the Nature of Science to Elementary Students

This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This month’s issue shares activities so that elementary students can lea...

Elementary Preschool Earth & Space Science General Science Crosscutting Concepts Instructional Materials Learning Progression Lesson Plans NGSS Pedagogy Teaching Strategies Multicultural New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Teacher Preparation

Blog Post

Gravitational Interactions and 3-D Learning in Middle School

I recently embarked on a journey with K–8 teachers in Vermont to learn how to be intentional about planning for three-dimensional (3-D) learning in ...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School High School Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Instructional Materials Learning Progression Lesson Plans NGSS Performance Expectations Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies

Blog Post

Using Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Strategy to Improve Student Learning

This past school year, I used claim, evidence, reasoning (CER) statements to show three-dimensional learning in my classroom. Several tools are availa...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School High School Biology Chemistry Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Earth & Space Science Evolution General Science Learning Progression Lesson Plans New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Physical Science Preservice Science Education Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Blog Post

You Teach What? I’m So Sorry! Building a Better Body and Building Better Argumentation

I am always amazed at the looks on people’s faces when I tell them I teach middle school. They seem to pity me for having a position I chose and lov...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School High School Biology Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Learning Progression Lesson Plans Life Science NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices STEM Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Blog Post

My ‘Phenomenal’ Journey in Elementary

I am the type of educator who gets very excited about new strategies, new and innovative technology, and new activities for students. However, I was m...

By Cindy Workosky

Biology Climate Change Environmental Science General Science Inquiry Instructional Materials Learning Progression Lesson Plans Life Science New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Physical Science Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Blog Post

Digging Deeper: Modeling

At the core of a Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) classroom is the sequence of exposing students to an interesting natural phenomenon, having ...

By Cindy Workosky

Informal Education Preschool Astronomy Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Inquiry Instructional Materials Learning Progression Lesson Plans New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Physical Science Physics Science and Engineering Practices Three-Dimensional Learning

Blog Post

Introducing Crosscutting Concepts in the Elementary Grades

Four years ago, I moved from teaching middle school science to teaching grades 2–5 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) la...

By Cindy Workosky

Early Childhood Elementary Preschool Biology Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Multilingual Learners Equity General Science Inquiry Labs Learning Progression Lesson Plans Life Science Literacy New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Preservice Science Education Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Blog Post

Planning Three-Dimensional Instruction

Knowing that content material is most engaging when students can relate to it, I always begin my year with a student survey. The questions are designe...

By Cindy Workosky

Learning Progression Lesson Plans New Science Teachers NGSS Performance Expectations Phenomena Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Science and Engineering Practices STEM Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning