Understanding the Illinois Science Assessment by Grade with NGSS

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) outline the key science concepts and skills that students should learn at each grade level. These standards are used to guide teaching and assessment in schools, including the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). By understanding the NGSS expectations, parents can help their children stay on track and succeed in their science education. Below is a breakdown of the NGSS topics covered at each grade level from Kindergarten to 8th grade and an associated article on their relationship to Illinois Science Assessment.

Kindergarten NGSS Expected Science Topics:

At the kindergarten level, the NGSS focuses on building foundational knowledge in science through exploration and observation.

Physical Science: Understanding basic properties of materials (e.g., what makes things sink or float).
Life Science: Identifying basic needs of living things and their environments (e.g., plants and animals).
Earth and Space Science: Observing seasonal changes and weather patterns.
Engineering and Technology: Using tools and materials to design simple objects.

1st Grade NGSS Expected Science Topics:

In 1st grade, students start to build on their observational skills and begin exploring more complex scientific concepts.

Physical Science: Understanding how objects move (e.g., speed, direction, and forces like push and pull).
Life Science: Learning about the life cycle of plants and animals.
Earth and Space Science: Exploring the properties of light and sound.
Engineering and Technology: Designing solutions to simple engineering challenges.

2nd Grade NGSS Expected Science Topics:

By 2nd grade, students are introduced to more detailed concepts in life, earth, and physical sciences.

Physical Science: Exploring matter and its properties (e.g., solids, liquids, and gases).
Life Science: Learning about plant growth and what plants need to survive.
Earth and Space Science: Investigating weather patterns and how they change over time.
Engineering and Technology: Developing and testing simple tools or solutions to problems.

3rd Grade NGSS Expected Science Topics:

Third graders deepen their understanding of the natural world with more complex scientific topics.

Physical Science: Understanding forces and interactions between objects (e.g., gravity, magnetism).
Life Science: Learning about ecosystems and the relationships between living organisms.
Earth and Space Science: Understanding the water cycle and its role in weather patterns.
Engineering and Technology: Designing solutions to problems related to energy use.

4th Grade NGSS Expected Science Topics:

At the 4th grade level, students explore more detailed scientific principles, with a focus on energy, ecosystems, and Earth's systems.

Physical Science: Exploring energy forms such as light, sound, and heat.
Life Science: Studying plant and animal structures and their roles in ecosystems.
Earth and Space Science: Investigating the Earth's processes, including the rock cycle and Earth's resources.
Engineering and Technology: Applying the principles of engineering to solve real-world problems.

5th Grade NGSS Expected Science Topics:

In 5th grade, students explore more advanced topics, often requiring a higher level of critical thinking and problem-solving.

Physical Science: Understanding matter and energy, including properties and changes in matter.
Life Science: Studying the systems of the human body and how they work together.
Earth and Space Science: Exploring Earth’s history and the formation of different landforms.
Engineering and Technology: Investigating technologies and designing solutions to human challenges.

6th NGSS Expected Science Topics:

By the 6th grade, students build on earlier concepts and start to study more complex scientific phenomena.

Physical Science: Investigating energy, forces, and the relationship between energy and matter.
Life Science: Understanding ecosystems and the diversity of life.
Earth and Space Science: Exploring the structure and processes of Earth’s systems.
Engineering and Technology: Designing experiments to test scientific ideas and solutions.

7th Grade NGSS Expected Science Topics:

Seventh graders dive deeper into biology, chemistry, and Earth science with more specific learning goals.

Physical Science: Studying atoms and molecules, chemical reactions, and energy transformations.
Life Science: Learning about heredity, genetic traits, and evolution.
Earth and Space Science: Investigating Earth's history, including geological processes and plate tectonics.
Engineering and Technology: Understanding how engineers use scientific principles to solve problems.

8th Grade NGSS Expected Science Topics:

Eighth grade is a critical year where students apply their previous knowledge to more complex scientific and engineering concepts.

Physical Science: Understanding the structure of matter, forces, and motion.
Life Science: Exploring the biological systems and the molecular basis of heredity.
Earth and Space Science: Investigating Earth’s atmosphere, weather, and the solar system.
Engineering and Technology: Designing and evaluating solutions for real-world problems.

Where can I find a comprehensive guide to Next Generation Science Standards?

For a detailed and comprehensive guide to the Next Generation Science Standards, parents can refer to the official NGSS website here. This site provides an in-depth breakdown of the standards, including performance expectations, assessment guidelines, and instructional strategies for each grade level.

By understanding the key science concepts covered at each grade, parents can help support their children's learning and ensure they are well-prepared for the Illinois Science Assessment and beyond. Here is another article on how to prepare for the Illinois Science Assessment.

“Science is a refinement of Everyday Thinking”

— Albert Einstein

Why a CardboArd box is better than an xBox!

It is Friday after Thanksgiving, it's a long weekend and the family is trapped in the house. Now that sounds like a potential problem, ripe for being bored and getting into trouble. Rather than break out the video games, why not do something more inspiring…using that natural problem solver inside your kid to make something special.

Fortunately, in your house you have three of the most creative ingredients ever: you, your kids, and a cardboard box. That’s right, a cardboard box just might be the most creative material ever. You may have some cardboard boxes lying around after some Black Friday shopping. They can be put to great use to entertain your kids without “screen time”, all while encouraging their creativity.

So, let’s build something. Cardboard boxes can turn into just about anything. Not only can they enable your kids to design something, they will love constructing the project with you, learn that mistakes and iteration are cool, customize the inside of their very own space, and create a great family memory.

Even better, this isn’t that time intensive, nor does it require engineering expertise.

Here are the basic steps

Science Activities for Kids

Pick out a space in your house and be prepare to spend 1 hour – designing, laughing, taping, and having fun with your kids.
Come up with potential ideas – often this is the hardest step, some ideas are below.
Start with a drawing. Any drawing. Really. Just draw something
It is ok to make mistakes.
What do you need: Cardboard boxes, duck tape, scissors, a pensile, paper, a ruler, and a cutting surface.
Your final design will not be exactly as you envisioned. That is good.
Add some customization. Why is this important? This is where you can allow your children to have their imagination run wild.

Why is this a cool project? We all love being creative, but often in the rush of our day to day, don’t get the chance. Halloween is a great example, it allows us to be kids again, to be creative coming up with unique costumes. That doesn’t need to be constrained to one day a year

Xbox is cool, but creating something is even cooler and more memorable. Your kids may resist initially, but just wait until they are playing in their box creation 3 hours later.

Your kids will love their creation because it is theirs. Their design, their safe place, and place to dream. Not only does this project engage their creativity, but it allows all of us to practice design thinking, creating something from scratch, to have a vision, to create a prototype, to make mistakes, to use our creativity to problem solve, and to be proud of our creation.

Let’s design and create. Ready to build, let’s get rolling. Here is where to start. And don't worry, some pro-tips and examples for construction are below

Pick out a space in your house and be prepare to spend 1 hour – designing, laughing, taping, and having fun with your kids.
Come up with some potential ideas – often this is the hardest step. Prepared to be surprised. We have built: (1) rockets with boxes and old car seats, (2) homes with retracting roofs/lights/doors, (3) A secret escape room with water and food supplies, (4) reading rooms (5) boats, and (6) castles.
Start with a drawing. Any drawing. Really. Just draw something and have your kids draw something. It doesn’t need to be perfect and often it is better if it isn’t perfect.
It is ok to make mistakes. The hardest step is often getting started. Demonstrating to your kids that you are not a perfect artist or architect it a good thing, it gives them permission to make mistakes in life.
What do you need: Cardboard boxes, duck tape, scissors, a pensile, paper, a ruler, and a cutting surface.
Your final design will not be exactly as you envisioned. That is good. Welcome to design thinking and innovation. The first prototype is just that, it is great, imperfect, and teaches us how to do something better.
Add some customization. Why is this important, this is where you can allow your children to have their imagination run wild. Crayons and markers can represent TVs, iPads, control panels, doorbells, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, art on a wall.
Helpful tip: have a couple of holes in the ceiling or windows for airflow.

STEM Programs for Kids

Keys & Tips

Picture how the pieces will fit together
Have a cutting surface
Measure twice, cut once.
Never cut towards your body or with someone behind you
If the box isn’t big enough, no problem. Here are a couple of solutions (1) tape existing boxes together (2) home depot sells moving boxes for about $2.50 each (3) dollar tree has 2ft x 3ft foam board for $1.

Here are some pro-tips for building

Lay out of your materials – have a design on paper and in your head