When the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts came out, we received no training on what they were, or how to use them in the classroom.  In truth, we simply found them while searching for online resources to engage our students.  We don’t want that to be you — being caught by surprise with something as valuable as the Next Generation Science Standards Cross-Cutting Concepts because they are TRULY going to be your next best friend.

But before we dive in, if you are like us — feeling overwhelmed by all the science stuff that is on the web and not knowing where to start, we feel your pain.  Because of this, we have cut through that noise.   We created The Ultimate Guide of Online Resources for teaching science.  It is our gift to you.  We know science teachers are a breed of their own, and we wanted to help.  

So let’s dive into the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts.  First, a little background so you know just what we are talking about.  Then, we will give you 6 activities to introduce and reinforce the Crosscutting Concepts with your students.

Let’s go!

What are the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts?

What are the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts you ask?  The NGSS Crosscutting Concepts unify the study of science and engineering. They provide a common ground of application across the physical, earth, and life sciences.   So cool!  

As a science teacher, the Crosscutting Concepts provide major value to students as they equip students with an organized framework for connecting their knowledge.  It gives students a way to think about a subject scientifically.   Finally, they present students with a consistent and familiar language.  I ask you, what student does not need help with organization and consistency?  Cross-Cutting Concepts are GOLD!

Why are the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts Important?

The Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts are important to students because they help students form a deeper understanding of science and engineering.  And, it gives them the tools they need to investigate and problem-solve.

Once my students had a firm grasp on the Crosscutting Concepts, I noticed that they were incorporating them into all aspects of their life.  I had one student who was talking about a current news event and she was bringing in Crosscutting Concepts as a way to solve that particular problem.  Yes, it made my teacher’s heart sing just a bit.

List of the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts

Here is a list of NGSS Crosscutting Concepts with an example of all 7:

1. Patterns: Observed patterns in nature guide organization and classification.  They prompt questions about relationships.
2. Cause and Effect: Events have causes, sometimes simple, sometimes multifaceted. Interpreting these relationships is a major function of science and engineering.
3. Scale, Proportion, and Quantity: In considering phenomena, it is crucial to recognize what is relevant at a different size, time, and energy scale. It is also important to see the proportional relationships between different quantities as scales change.
4. Systems and System Models:  A system is an organized group of related objects or components.  Models can be used for understanding and predicting the behavior of systems.
5. Energy and Matter:  By tracking energy and matter flows (into, out of, and within a system), one is better able to understand the system’s behavior. 
6. Structure and Function:  The way an object is shaped or structured determines many of its properties and functions.
7. Stability and Change: Conditions that affect stability and circumstances that control rates of change are important elements to consider and understand.  This is true for both designed and natural systems.

6 Easy Ways to Empower Students with the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts

Are you in need of some Crosscutting Concepts activities that will not only introduce the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts to your students but also help them to be recognizable in their everyday lives?  Here are six easy ways you can incorporate them in your class:

#1 Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts Posters

Goal:  Help students recognize and identify the Crosscutting Concepts in their daily lives through Crosscutting Concepts Posters. 

We love anchor charts.  Having ones such as the Crosscutting Concepts posters up in your room all year long is a great way to help students incorporate these concepts into their lives on a personal level.   You can use these Crosscutting Concepts posters to empower students by:

• keeping the CCCs relevant and accessible to students all year long.
• providing a means by which students can check their work.
• assisting students to make connections to new learning.
• giving them a tool for academic support without direct input from teachers.
• supporting the ELL student population by providing visuals along with words.

There is a progression from grade to grade in regard to the Crosscutting Concepts.  Thus, when creating Crosscutting Concept posters, pull out the performance expectations for the grades you are teaching.   You can find those performance expectations here.  

If you would like some done-for-you posters that have student-friendly definitions, overarching concepts, and relevant visuals, click here.

#2 Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts Speed Dating

Goal: Familiarizes students with the language of the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts.

1. Before you begin, prepare 14 different cards.  7 will contain the name of each of the 7 Crosscutting Concepts.  Seven cards will contain the definitions of each of the Crosscutting Concepts.  You can make more sets of these cards as needed for the size of your class.
2. Introduce the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts and their respective definitions to the class.
3. Next, have each student draw a card. The card will either be a definition of a Crosscutting Concept or the title of the Crosscutting Concept.
4. Task: students will mingle with other students looking for their card match. If they have the definition of the Crosscutting Concept, they are looking for the title. 
5. For larger classes (more than 14 students), students will end up in groups of a particular Crosscutting Concept, rather than just a pair (title and definition).

#3 Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts Discussion Points

Goal: Students will use discussion points or sentence starters when making connections in a lab.  These sentence starters can also be used between two varying concepts, or simply during a team discussion.  

Here is an example:

• Patterns: prompt questions about relationships and factors that influence them.  Sample questions could include “How is ____ changing over time?” or “How similar or different are ___ at the microscopic (or macroscopic) scale?”

You can find some discussion points in the article “Prompts for Integrating Crosscutting Concepts Into Assessment and Instruction”. You can find that article here.

If you would like some Crosscutting Concepts discussion points already done for you that you can print and use today in your class, here is the link.

#4 Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts Guided Notes

Goal: Help students identify the most important information covered using Crosscutting Concepts guided notes. 

Guided notes are prepared by the teacher.  They are handouts that outline a teacher’s presentation, video, lab, reading, etc. They provide a space for students to write key facts, concepts, definitions, and or relationships. These guided notes require students to actively engage during learning. Finally, guided notes help to increase a student’s retention of course content. 

You can read more about guided notes here and how to prepare them.

If you would like some done-for-you Crosscutting Concepts guided notes, click here.

#5 Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts Graphic Organizers

Goal:  Help students organize their thinking through Crosscutting Concepts, and graphic organizers. 

Here is a set of graphic organizers for each of the 7 Crosscutting Concepts. They help students make sense of any given phenomena. These graphic organizers are free and were developed by Dr. Amy Peacock, K-12 Science Content Coach, Clarke County School District, and Dr. Jeremy Peacock, Director of 6-12 Science, Northeast Georgia RESA.

#6 Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts Stations

Goal: Set up different stations (each representing a different Crosscutting Concept) and let students explore! 

Possible stations could include several different examples of the crosscutting concept.  For example at the station of Energy and Matter, you can have a picture of energy cycling through the weather system, the trophic levels in an ecosystem, or the conservation of energy.  From the examples provided, students will then try to categorize which of the 7 Crosscutting Concepts these examples would fit into.

If you are short on time and would like some highly engaging digital and or print Crosscutting Concept stations, we’ve got just the thing for you. They come with a literacy read, that is great for Close reading, an extension for fast learners, and an intervention for those needing more help. A self-grading assessment is also included. You can see this resource here.

In Summary…

We have talked about what the Next Generation Science Standards Crosscutting Concepts are and why they are important. We gave a list of the Crosscutting Concepts along with an example of each. Finally, we have delineated 6 simple Crosscutting Concept activities to introduce your students to the NGSS Crosscutting Concepts. Finally, we provided simple instructions for you to create these activities yourself, and we have given you links to done-for-you activities that you can simply assign.

And remember, if you are in need of cutting through the chaos when it comes to finding online resources to spruce up your science instruction, grab our free gift to you.  The Ultimate Guide of Online Resources for teaching science is just a click away.

For those who want to know more:

• NSTA: National Science Teaching Association:  Crosscutting Concepts
• Using the Crosscutting Concepts to Build Student Sense-Making and Reasoning
• Prompts for Integrating Crosscutting concepts into Assessment and Instruction
• Crosscutting Concepts Graphic Organizers
• Guided Notes – improving the effectiveness of your lectures
• Download the FREE Ultimate Guide of Online Resources for Teaching Science

Here are some fun articles you may enjoy:

7 Helpful Tips on How to Blog Like a Boss

Teaching Science Made Easy

How Can Science Teachers Prepare for the New School Year and Success

3 Huge Reasons CER in Science is Important for Students