Plant Tropism

Exploring plant tropism through pea plants.

Seed Dispersal

We explored mechanisms of seed dispersal with the 7th grade science students.

3D Earth Science - Earth's Motions - Longitude and Time Zones

Lesson adaptation from your current curriculum:

Regents Earth Science

Using models to figure out longitude, time zones, and the "15 degrees of rotation per hour" rule

Sometimes teachers ask me when they should make the switch to the new NYSSLS standards. Knowing that we still need to prepare our students for the current Regents' exams is definitely a source of anxiety for anyone making the leap to 3-dimensional learning. One of the things that I advise teachers to do is to take a current Regents' topic and "three-dimensionalize" it. This can give teachers a great introduction to how to use the Science and Engineering Practices (SEP's) and Crosscutting Concepts (CCC's) in their coursework every day.

The understanding of Earth's motions and their contribution to annual and diurnal changes in Earth's systems is a concept that seems to be migrating toward middle school standards in the NYSSLS. However, there are some very specific skills that students need to master for their Regents' exam in Earth Science. This lesson was written to aid students in understanding Earth's rotation, longitude, and time zones, and utilizes a 3-dimensional approach.

Click here to view the original Google Slides file.

This is still a work in progress so you might notice parts that are unfinished. I'd love any suggestions that you might have.

Students in Regents' Earth Science construct models of time zones

HS Chemistry - Models of the Atom

3D High School Chemistry Lesson

Link to full lesson

Lesson by Toni LaPoint, Benita Cataldo, Tim Freed - North Country Master Teachers

3D Physics - Fun Flyers

3D High School Physics Lesson

HS-PS3-5. Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electric or magnetic fields to illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to the interaction.
[Clarification Statement: Examples of models could include diagrams, texts, algebraic expressions, and drawings representing what happens when two charges of opposite polarity are near each other.] [Assessment Boundary:  Assessment is limited to systems containing two objects.]

Lesson by Charlene Rydgren, Malone CSD

Exploring modeling instruction and the properties of matter

3D Middle School Physical Science Lesson

MS PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.

Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on qualitative molecular-level models of solids, liquids, and gases to show that adding or removing thermal energy increases or decreases kinetic energy of the particles until a change of state occurs. Examples of models could include drawing and diagrams. Examples of particles could include molecules or inert atoms. Examples of pure substances could include water, carbon dioxide, and helium.

Phenomenon: 

What happens when you add an ice cube to a cylinder filled with oil?

Photo from Steve Spangler Science

Students can use the Systems & Models graphic organizer to begin developing a model of the phenomenon, and whiteboards later on to build a group consensus model.

Link to full set of Crosscutting Concepts Graphic Organizers

3-dimensional lesson plan for this phenomenon:

Link to lesson file with blank template

Modeling the phenomenon:

The most important facet of this lesson is the development of student models to diagram and explain the phenomenon. The demonstration sets the stage for student understanding; it's important for the teacher to equip students with the opportunity to ask questions to reveal new layers of understanding of the phenomenon. Through group collaboration, class discussion, and individual reflection, students have an opportunity to continually revise their understanding. Class discussion, led by the teacher, is critical so that key vocabulary and concepts are connected to student understanding and represented in the consensus model. Teachers need to be equipped to guide students through any typical misconceptions during the discussion phase.

Want more information about modeling instruction? 

Here's a synopsis from the American Modeling Teachers Association.

Adapting current lessons by applying a 3-dimensional approach

3D Earth and Space Science:

Lesson Adaptation from current NYS Regents Earth Science standards

This lesson is an example of how teachers could shift current Regents instruction to incorporate a 3-dimensional approach, while still maintaining progress toward the Regents science exams. Introducing students to the crosscutting concepts serves to enhance current curriculum as well as prepare them (and us!) for the shifts taking place with the adoption of the NYSSLS.

Here's a great set of universal graphic organizers that supports the crosscutting concepts:

In this lesson, it is crucial for students to be able to understand the structure and function of the system so they can model what is happening in the chosen phenomena.

Click the "Read More" link to view student work examples and teacher reflection.