Our Assessments Explorer is the easiest way to take a helicopter view of all the assessment opportunities in a grade or module. You’ll find our assessments broken down into Pre-Explorations, Formative Assessments, Key Language Proficiencies, Performance Tasks, and Benchmarks and MCQs. The Assessment Explorer allows you to review “what students do” in each form of […]
Our Standards Maps can be found in the Framework Alignment tables that appear on the foldout of the Teacher Edition front cover. These tables detail the 1:1 correlation between the CA Framework Segments and the Twig Science Modules across the full K–6 program. For each module, they also list the Module Phenomenon (MP) and core […]
Investigations Based in Real-World Phenomena The three-dimensions of the NGSS are united by the use of anchor phenomena, which provide opportunities for real-world application of DCIs, SEPs, and CCCs. Anchor phenomena present situations in which students can develop mastery of the three dimensions in contexts and stories that reflect their real-world experiences. There is an […]
The Foundations of 3–D Learning The CA NGSS is built around three-dimensional learning—and so is Twig Science. The three dimensions that make up each NGSS Performance Expectation—Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs)—are at the very foundation of the Twig Science program. Each module clearly identifies where it addresses […]
Twig Science was built from the ground up for the CA NGSS. While other programs claim to be NGSS, very often they are simply legacy programs with extra elements required by the NGSS bolted on. This becomes most apparent when looking at the California Environmental Principles and Concepts (EPCs). While coverage of the EPCs is […]
Experiments Have Traditionally Been Over-Emphasized Historically, for many educators, the indicator of a “good” science program was the number of experiments involved. These hands-on experiments would follow the scientific method: posing a question, testing a hypothesis, and drawing a conclusion. So it came as quite a shock when the National Research Council, in its “Framework […]
Twig Science lessons are all unique, with varied and exciting content. While each lesson follows the same cycle, the main activity varies according to the desired learning outcomes and the Science and Engineering Practices students master. The main activity could be any of the following (or a combination): Reading and engaging with texts Planning and […]
Whether in print, online, or hands-on, Twig Science is flexible and fun, providing teachers with a system of support to bring the wonders of science and the motivation to learn to every student. Teacher Editions Modular Teacher Editions include flexible pacing, options for Fast Track and comprehensive lesson-planning, differentiated instruction scaffolds, and language routines to […]
College and Career Readiness Exposure to science and engineering careers at the elementary level inspires and engages students—a great indicator of success at later stages of school, college, and career. The immersive storylines that make up Twig Science modules involve students inhabiting a range of STEM career roles for weeks at a time. Coherent, long-form […]
Collaborative ThinkTank Meet the team or, as we like to call ourselves, the Twig Science Collaborative Think Tank. The development of Twig Science has been guided by our collective commitment to making science accessible to all. We do this through our engaging, phenomena-based storylines and flexible range of captivating resources. We’d like to thank the […]