Crosscutting Concepts in the NGSS

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Crosscutting Concepts in the NGSS

“Crosscutting concepts have value because they provide students with connections and intellectual tools that are related across the differing areas of disciplinary content and can enrich their application of practices and their understanding of core ideas.”
- Framework, pg. 233

Click on each section below to expand and see links to resources.

General Resources for Crosscutting Concepts
  • UNC-TV - Science Video Series - has been broken down by the NGSS cross cutting concepts they address.  To get to video, click on the "explainer" link. Then scroll down to section called UNC-TV Media where you will see a link to the video.
  • NGSS: What To Do With Cross Cutting Concepts with Cary Sneider - Video (1 hour)
  • Video (6:00) from Teaching Channel
  • The Concord Consortium offers a online tool Find Your Path through the NGSS that lets you find lesson ideas based on Core Idea, Crosscutting Concept, and Science and Engineering Practices. Geared towards middle and high school
  • CrossCutSymbols - art work you and your students can use to identify when the cross cutting concepts apply to an area of study.
1. Patterns
  • October 2014 issue of NSTA's Science & Children - has lesson plans and background information on Patterns
2. Cause and Effect
  • November 2014 issue of NSTA's Science & Children - has lesson plans and background information on Cause and Effect
3. Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
  • Sample Lesson Plan for Model Solar System – Geared towards younger grades. Can make more sophisticated for older grades. Can also link to the Science and Engineering Practice of Developing and Using Models.
  • December 2014 issue of NSTA's Science & Children - has lesson plans and background information on Scale, Proportion, an Quantity
4. Systems and System Models
  • January  2015 issue of NSTA's Science & Children - has lesson plans and background information on Systems & System Model
5. Energy and Matter: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation
  • February 2015 issue of NSTA's Science & Children - has lesson plans and background information on Energy & Matter 
  • Energy Kids – Resource for students and teachers on energy sources and consumption
6. Structure and Function
7. Stability and Change of Systems
  • April/May 2015 issue of NSTA's Science & Children - has lesson plans and background information on Stability and Change

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