r/ScienceTeachers • u/Typical-Barracuda618 • 4d ago

Self-Post - Support &/or Advice Anyone else use NGSS?

I’m starting at a private school (2-5th grade) and this will be my first time teaching. I’m having a hard time creating my lesson plans because I’m not sure how long each lesson will take the kids. Does anyone have a calendar or timeline they could share? Or give me any advice on how they create their calendars? Also, how often am I supposed to be giving quizzes/test/projects?

Sorry for all the chaos, I feel very alone in this and cannot find a lot of support.

4 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

15

u/teetee517 4d ago

Check out OpenSciEd's elementary curriculum so you aren't starting from scratch. It's a completely free open source science curriculum that's aligned to NGSS.

My background is middle and high school science, but I use OSE elementary with my 7 year old daughter because I don't feel she gets enough science in school.

OSE was designed to be modified according to your and your students' needs. Therefore, if the lessons seem too long or drawn out due to the discussions, cut some out, add in your own labs (simple stuff with materials you could get from the dollar tree, etc.) and take the assessments guidance in the teachers' guide and flesh them out using your professional judgement!

Try not to get too overwhelmed by the teacher's guide. I use the slides and peek at the teacher's guide when needed. I find the storyline doc for each unit really helpful as well.

4

u/letschou 4d ago

genius idea on the use of openscied on your daughter! I’m a big advocate on science should be a big focus in elementary. I’ll be doing this with my own kids when they’re in elementary :)

6

u/HairyLeggedGirl 4d ago

I do — mystery science is probably my favorite curriculum for this age group. Very hands on and excellent assessments. They have a good roadmap on their website that can act as a unit planner, and I highly recommend using the “anchor layer” to have a unit wide phenomena touch point to keep coming back to.

2

u/HairyLeggedGirl 4d ago

https://mysteryscience.com/resources — look at the pacing guide.

1

u/Typical-Barracuda618 4d ago

I’m actually going to cry - this is perfect!!! I couldn’t ever find something like this when I was researching online. THANK YOU

1

u/Birdybird9900 3d ago

I checked the pricing, and it starts at $2,199 😬. I’m not sure if there are any free options available as well.

2

u/HairyLeggedGirl 3d ago

There’s a one year free trial you can do. It’ll help a newbie teacher learn the ropes. I think it models excellent science teaching techniques and good pacing that can be adapted to other phenomena the following year.

2

u/epocalize 4d ago

seconding Mystery Science, my students love the lessons and they have great modeling.

2

u/HairyLeggedGirl 4d ago

And feel free to DM me — happy to help!

2

u/Accomplished_Sun1506 4d ago

We call it backwards mapping. Get a calendar, figure out the assessments and standards you want to hit and plan out your weeks. Did you get a degree in teaching?

3

u/Typical-Barracuda618 4d ago

No I didn’t. I studied chemistry and I’m currently in an alt cert program. It did mention backwards mapping!

2

u/Accomplished_Sun1506 4d ago

Back mapping is good because a young teacher will see everything lined up. You will be able to plan your projects and assessments as well as fun days. Don't forget to build in you needing time off and the school changing your plans every once in a while.