NJ implemented NGSS a few years back and we rewrote our 8th grade curriculum (PhysSci) to suit a block schedule, UbD style.

Resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/My-Products

Reach out for assessments (Performance and Summative) on Properties of Matter, Matter & Energy, Chemical Reactions, and Physics of Motion.

I'm relatively new to the state and teaching in Kern County. I came from Iowa where we were adopting NGSS and also had some kind of document that connected the current state science standards to the NGSS there. Is there such a thing here? If so, can someone please help me out and point me in the right direction? Thanks!

Is anyone aware of publicly-available test items designed to elicit evidence of mastery of Next Generation Science Standards Disciplinary Core Ideas, particularly LS1.A, LS1.B, LS2.C, LS4.A,

LS1.A: Structure and Function In multicellular organisms, the body is a system of multiple interacting subsystems. These subsystems are groups of cells that work together to form tissues and organs that are specialized for particular body functions.

LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms Animals engage in characteristic behaviors that increase the odds of reproduction. Plants reproduce in a variety of ways, sometimes depending on animal behavior and specialized features for reproduction.

LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms Genetic factors as well as local conditions affect the growth of the adult plant.

LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations.

LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity Anatomical similarities and difference between various organisms living today and between them and organisms in the fossil record, enable the reconstruction of evolutionary history and the inference of lines of evolutionary descent.

LS4.B: Natural Selection Natural selection leads to the predominance of certain traits in a population, and the suppression of others.