Product Description

Physical Sciences for NGSS has been specifically written to meet the requirements of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for High School Physical Sciences (HS-PS). It encompasses all three dimensions of the standards (science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas), addressing the program content through a wide range of engaging student-focused activities and investigations. Through completion of these activities, students build a sound understanding of science and engineering practices, recognize and understand the concepts that link all domains of science, and build the knowledge base required to integrate the three dimensions of the standards to meet the program's performance expectations. The Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) provide the structural framework for the book, dividing it into four sections. Each chapter comprises a range of activities designed and sequenced to scaffold learning using a 5Es instructional approach. Specific performance expectations are identified and addressed within each chapter and assessed through specific activities including, but not restricted to, specifically designed, three-dimensional summative assessments. Science and Engineering Practices are fully integrated throughout with activities to develop skills in practical investigation, collaboration, analyzing and interpreting data, developing and using models, and constructing explanations from evidence. A supporting introductory chapter acts as a reference and provides students with additional opportunities to practice the mathematical and inquiry-based skills required at this level. Crosscutting concepts are fully integrated and identified throughout, allowing students to make connections between the core themes in science across different topics. Nature of Science: Students develop an understanding of the nature of science through incorporation of its basic principles into activities. The teacher's edition provides teacher guidance on this aspect. Engineering Design: The Engineering Design component of NGSS has been incorporated as appropriate through activities that engage the student in designing and evaluating solutions to real world problems. This aspect of the standards provides an exciting opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in a creative way, with due consideration to social and environmental concerns.

Product Features and Benefits

• Specifically Designed for NGSS

  Specifically designed to address the content and aims of the Next Generation Science Standards for HS-PS. Phenomenon-based and student driven, with activity sequences employing the 5Es instructional model to provide effective scaffolded learning.

• Disciplinary Core Ideas

  The HS-PS DCIs provide a structural framework that is both easy to follow and allows integration of science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts.

• Crosscutting Concepts

  A clear coding system identifies crosscutting concepts as they apply throughout, making clear linkages between related concepts in different topic areas and different domains of science.

• Science and Engineering Practices

  SEPs are fully integrated within activities developing skills in communication, inquiry and investigation, math and computation, reasoning, and data analysis.

• Chapter Introduction

  Each chapter is prefaced by a checklist of student learning aims written specifically to integrate the three dimensions of the framework. Learning aims are matched to specific activities for easy navigation. The teacher's edition provides full coding (embedded).

• Key Question

  Each activity opens with a key question, which summarizes its primary focus and encourages students to ask and answer questions.

• Direct Questioning

  A direct questioning style helps students to easily identify what is being asked.

• Summative Assessments

  End of chapter summative assessments provide a chance to address specific performance expectations in whole or in part. A range of questioning styles provide a balanced, three-dimensional assessment of student understanding and achievement.

• Diagrams, Illustrations and Photographs

  Clear, uncomplicated diagrams, illustrations, and photographs support and reinforce the text.

• Concept Maps

  Concept maps encourage connections between topics and promote recognition of crosscutting concepts.

• Investigations

  Simple practical investigations are clearly identified in green boxes throughout. They encourage student exploration of concepts so that students are engaged in finding out about phenomena for themselves. Equipment lists are simple and no special kits are required.