K – 5 Next Generation Science Standards
(NGSS) – Aligned Programs 2022 – 2023
Flanders offers an exceptional collection of K-5 learning experiences to complement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Each NGSS program is specifically designed to help prepare students to meet key grade-level performance expectations. Each can be incorporated into a unit plan or can stand as a self-contained lesson.
Our 2-hour immersive field-based programs are not only fun, but engaging, hands-on and authentic in a classroom of nature’s design. Noted in the summary below, many are offered in a modified virtual format or can be brought to your school.
NGSS programming is offered through district or school contracts, with the aim of providing whole grade levels the opportunity to share a common learning experience. For further inquiries and contact information, scroll to the bottom of this summary document.
NGSS PROGRAMS OFFERED BY GRADE LEVEL
Kindergarten:
Animals & Where They Live
Students meet a variety of farm animals, observe them in their surroundings and look for patterns in animal needs. They visit a nearby woodland habitat and learn that wild animals have similar needs and live where those needs are met. Students record observational data, identify patterns and recognize relationships between what animals need and where they live. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectations: K-LS1-1, KESS2-2, K-ESS3-1. (2 hours) One-hour livestream and in-school versions available (year-round)
Beavers Change Their Environment
Through observation and evidence collection in a Flanders beaver habitat, students gain an understanding of beavers, their survival needs, and how altering their environment allows them to meet those needs. Students identify and describe the features of a beaver that help it survive and relate structure to function. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectations: K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, K-2-ETS1-2, 1-LS1-1, 2-LS4-1(2 hours) Fifty-minute livestream and one-hour in-school versions available(year-round)
Grade 1:
Animals and Their Parts
Students meet and observe a variety of farm animals. They relate the structure of animal parts to their function, and discover how humans often mimic animal parts in designing a solution to a problem. They apply these same concepts to wild animals in an observation and discussion of several taxidermy mounts. Students record observational data, identify patterns and recognize how animal structures help in survival. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectations: 1-LS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2. (2 hours) One-hour livestream and in-school versions also available (year-round)
Nest Nurseries
Students discover that in different species, nest building is one way that parents help offspring survive. They go on a scavenger hunt for different kinds of nests in Flanders’ forest. Working in collaborative groups, students then design and build a nest, using available materials, and compare the strengths and weaknesses of designs. They record data, identify patterns in parental care, recognize relationships between nest structure and function, and design a solution to a problem. Available throughout school year. NGSS Performance Expectations: 1-LS1-2, 1-LS3-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3. (2 hours)
Beavers Change Their Environment
See description above. The focus on beaver external parts and structure/function apply to Grade 1 standards. NGSS Grade 1 Performance Expectations: K-2-ETS1-2, 1-LS1-1. (2 hours) Fifty-minute livestream and one-hour in-school versions also available (year-round)
Grade 2:
Habitat Comparisons
Students visit two different habitats, a forest and a pond. In each, they observe and record the diversity of plant and animal life. They communicate their findings, analyze graphic models of their class data, then participate in an analysis discussion with their classmates. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectation: 2-LS4-1, 3-LS4-3. (2 hours) One-hour livestream also available throughout school year and in-school versions available in fall and spring
Pollination: Animals and Plants Depending Upon Each Other
Students learn the conditions needed for plants to grow, and how plants are dependent upon animals, such as bees, to reproduce. They plant sunflower seeds to use for further investigation in the classroom. They visit a pollinator habitat, collect data on the diversity and abundance of pollinators, and organize and discuss their data as a group. Best experienced in early fall. NGSS Performance Expectations: 2-LS2-2, 2-LS2-1, 2-LS4-1 , 3-LS1-1. (2 hours)
Follow the Water! Making Maps from Pond to Stream to Wetland
Maps show where landforms and bodies of water are in an area and how they relate to each other. Students develop mapping skills and their spatial thinking by producing their own maps, showing the route that water takes on the Van Vleck property and the spatial relationship of three different aquatic habitats; a pond, a stream, and a wetland. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectations: 2-ESS2-2, 2-ESS2-3 (2 hours)
Beavers Change Their Environment
See description above. The focus on the beaver’s habitat and shape/function applies to
Grade 2 standards. NGSS Grade Performance Expectations: K-2-ETS1-2, 2-LS4-1(2 hours) Fifty-minute livestream and one-hour in-school versions available year-round
Animals and Their Parts
See description above. The Grade 2 added focus is on shape/function and on wild habitats applies to Grade 2 standards. NGSS Performance Expectations: K-2-ETS1-, 2-LS4-1. (2 hours) One-hour livestream and in-school versions available (year-round)
Grade 3:
A Tree to Be, Life Cycles and Inheritance
Students discover that like humans and other animals, trees have life cycles and inherit traits. They learn of the importance of each stage of a tree’s life to the health of a forest ecosystem. They then visit a forest and observe and measure several trees to determine stages of growth. They analyze the class data and make inferences about the health of the forest. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectations:3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-1. (2 hours) Ninety-minute in-School version available in fall and spring
Habitats and Life Cycles – Live Virtual Format
A live visit to the Flanders North Barn to see new or recently born farm animals provides introduction to the topic of life cycles. It is followed by interactive, pre-recorded visits to forest and pond habitats, where students learn that there are similarities and differences in the life cycles of various organisms. Students are challenged to determine the type of growth in different animals and how growth stages relate to habitat. Older students consider the environmental stimuli that influence growth stages. Available throughout the school year. NGSS Performance Expectations: 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-2 (1 hour)
Habitat Comparisons
See description above. A focus on adaptations to habitats applies to Grade 3 standards. NGSS Performance Expectation: 2-LS4-1, 3-LS4-3. (2 hours) One-hour livestream also available throughout the school year and in-school versions available in fall and spring
Pollination: Animals and Plants Depending Upon Each Other
See description above. Pollination’s role in life cycles applies to Grade 3 standards. Best experienced in early fall. Grade 3 NGSS Performance Expectations: 3-LS1-1 (2 hours)
Grade 4:
Watch That Slope! Stream Bank Erosion
Students study soil erosion, factors that affect it, and possible effects of erosion on water quality of a stream and the organisms that live in it. An engaging role-play is followed by a brief explanation of erosion, then a fair test demonstration using stream bank models. At a nearby stream, students observe and describe the features of different stream bank sites, measure % slope of each, and draw conclusions about erosion vulnerability. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectations: 4-ESS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-3. (2 hours) Two-hour in-school and one-hour livestream versions also available in fall and spring
Beaver Behavior and Survival – Live Virtual Format
Using slides, video and taxidermy mounts, the Flanders educator engages students in understanding beavers and how their internal parts and senses work together with their external parts to meet survival needs. Supported by an in depth look at the beaver body structure and of the Flanders semi-aquatic beaver habitat, students will observe, analyze and discuss footage of the Flanders beaver family in action. Available throughout the school year. NGSS Performance Expectations: 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2 (1 hour)
Habitats and Life Cycles – Live Virtual Format
See description above. Grade 4 students consider the environmental stimuli that influence growth stages. NGSS Performance Expectations: 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-2 (55 minutes)
Grade 5:
Energy Transfer in a Pond Ecosystem
Students study the food web structure in a Flanders pond. Using pond nets, they collect several random samples of pond organisms, then separate out each type, identify them and count them. They document their findings, then collect similar data on the pond plant species. Back in a group setting, students use provided references to construct possible food web structures that model the flow of energy through the ecosystem. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectations: 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1 (2 hours)
Wetlands, A System of Interconnected Spheres
Wetland ecosystems illustrate the interconnectedness of earth’s hydrosphere, biosphere, geosphere and atmosphere. Students learn of the importance of wetlands. They visit Flanders wetlands, where they collect water samples and document plant and animal life. They conduct a series of water analysis tests. They make conclusions about the health of the wetlands, and consider their food web structure based upon the data they collected. The data students collect become part of an ongoing monitoring project at Flanders. Available in fall and spring. NGSS Performance Expectations: 5-ESS2-1, 5-LS2-1 (2 hours)
Watch That Slope! Stream Bank Erosion
See description above. The lesson focus on conducting fair tests applies to Grade 5 standards, while providing a review of factors affecting erosion. NGSS Performance Expectations: 4-ESS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-3. (2 hours) Two-hour in-school and one-hour livestream versions also available in fall and spring
Class size for NGSS field programs is approximately 25 students. In most cases, two programs can be run at the same time. The cost for each 2-hour field program is $15.00 per student. A $300.00 minimum applies per program. NGSS at your school is $150 for the first hour and $100 for each consecutive hour for 1 instructor and up to 25 students. NGSS virtual live-stream programming is $110 for each program (50min-1hr) per class of up to 25 students.
For questions regarding curriculum: please contact Eileen Reed, NGSS Program Coordinator at 203-233-9745 or eileen@flandersnaturecenter.org.
To register for a program: call Amber McDonald, Educator/Administrator, at 203- 263-3711, Ext. 12
