Apply, Apply, Apply!

The Common Core and Next Gen Science Standards are going to require some big changes for teachers. It's not enough to memorize any more. We have to focus more on helping students to apply the knowledge we are giving them.


Soldier on, my friends. You are going back to school!

Examining the New Standards

     My biggest gripe so far with the Next Generation Science Standards is that I really don't see how they plan to test the students. Here are some of the ways the Standards begin:

"Critically read scientific literature and produce scientific writing..."
"Design and conduct an investigation to..."
"Use a model to support the explanation of..."

Are the new Standardized tests going to be essay questions only? What does that mean for those that can't write well (SPED, ELL, etc)? Are there laboratory practicals involved? How feasible is that? I don't see the point of the language used in the Standards if our goal is for students to understand a concept. Shouldn't they all begin "Students will understand that.....?"

     Don't get me wrong. I actually like the Standards in practice for the most part and can see myself using them. However, I fail to see the link between them and a useful, national Standardized test.  

Next Gen Science Standards

The second draft of the Next Generation Science Standards are out and open for feedback for the next few weeks. If these Standards are formally adopted, it will completely change the way we teach Science. Some of the integrated aspects of these Standards worry me a bit and I'm not sure how they will be able to test these Standards adequately.

Cautiously optimistic.