







































Communication, Society and Media 
ISSN 2576-5388 (Print) ISSN 2576-5396 (Online) 

Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 
www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm 

125 
 

Original Paper 

Mixing Framework from Next Generation Science Standards 

(NGSS) to a Local Project 
Azita Seyed Fadaei1* 

1 KLA Schools, Bellevue, WA, USA 
* Azita Seyed Fadaei, KLA Schools, Bellevue, WA, USA 

 

Received: August 23, 2018   Accepted: September 18, 2018   Online Published: September 25, 2018 

doi:10.22158/csm.v1n2p125                    URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/csm.v1n2p125 

 

Abstract 

Lesson activity has a very important role in teaching Physics. Curriculum gives specific viewpoints 

about the frameworks of planning lesson activities. In each country, being familiar with these 

frameworks helps to conduct teachers to be self-planners for teaching process. This article is an 

experiment of studying the frameworks of the U.S. in the subject of teaching science and is a sample to 

show how a teacher can get involved in international projects to boost the skill of planning activities 

related national problems and goals. It can open a horizon of thinking about the putting together 

national and international goals and frameworks in learning and teaching physics in local.  

Keywords 

physics, English learning, NGSS, SSTELLA project 

 

1. Introduction 

As a Physics education researcher and visiting professor, my study started by a travel to the University 

of California, Santa Cruz in the summer 2015. I had a meeting with the principal investigator of the 

SSTELLA project, Professor Trish Stoddart (Note 1). She gave me the NGSS book relating to science 

teachers lesson activities and I received so many documents from the colleagues in this project. At the 

first step, I was invited to participate in their teacher training classes for science teachers (English 

Language and Literacy Integration in Subject Areas (ELLISA) Project). Firstly the main idea was to get 

familiar with their projects and the final goal was to plan activities for teaching resources in the 

SSTELLA project. The purpose of this paper is introducing the experiences related to study the main 

programs in curriculum planning for developers and teachers to know how use the resources and 

frameworks to plan new activities for teaching projects. 

 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
126 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

2. Method 

2.1 English Language and Literacy Integration in Subject Areas (ELLISA) Project 

At that time, courses based on the ELLISA project were presented for novice teachers in the University 

of California, Santa Cruz. ELLISA was one of the projects which were started in the California because 

of this state problem in students learning. The problem was introduced by some reports of resources. 

Students who are English Learners (ELs) make up a significant proportion of school age children in the 

United States. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Consolidated State Performance 

Report survey for 2009-2010, about 10 percent of all students or 4.6 million children were identified as 

ELs in K-12 public schools (U.S. Department of Education, 2010). By 2025, it is projected that English 

will not be the native language for about one quarter of all students (National Center for Education 

Statistics (NCES), 2011). Educators and policy makers have been concerned about large and persistent 

gaps in academic achievement between ELs and native English speakers in mathematics, science, 

language and literacy (Lee & Luyxx, 2006; NCES, 2010).  

Although the demographic trends and achievement gaps related to ELs have been apparent for some 

time, few beginning teachers receive adequate preparation and training to teach subject content to ELs 

(Lucas & Villegas, 2011). Survey research has found that most teachers do not feel prepared to teach 

ELs in general (Parsad, Lewis, Farris, & Greene, 2001). In addition, results from a recent national 

survey indicated that only 15% of elementary teachers reported feeling well prepared to teach science 

to ELs (Banilower et al., 2013). ELLISA project focused on learning ambitious practices for teaching 

students who are English learners can be supported with representations of instruction, lessons and 

student work that can be analyzed and discussed, decomposing the practices for integrating language 

instruction in content area lessons into smaller parts, and providing novices teachers with opportunities 

to approximate practices through rehearsals and simulations in the methods course and in student 

teaching during practicums. In addition, conceptual and practical tools in ELLISA can aid teacher 

candidates in planning lessons and during teaching events are needed (Chee, 2014). 

I participated in an ELLISA course, which guided me to get more information about the project of the 

group and working with experts. This course focused on lesson planning and implementing effective 

instructional practices that integrate the teaching of language and literacy into particular attention paid 

to developing lessons based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
127 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

 

Figure 1. Team Working in Teacher Training Courses in ELLISA Project, UCSC, Lecturer: Dr. 

Joe Chee 

 

In this project some strategies for integrating language and literacy in science instruction promote 

academic discourse for English language and literacy integration in subject areas were considered, 

which were Academic Discourse, Support Science Literacy Development, Scaffold Language and 

Content and Contextualize Learning. 

2.2 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS for California’s Public Schools) 

Inquiry science, is an excellent context for learning language and literacy. Integrating the teaching of 

science content with the development of English language and literacy through contextualized science 

inquiry has been consistently shown to increase English learners’ achievement in both science and in 

the development of academic language and literacy (Bravo & Garcia, 2004; Rosebery & Warren, 2008). 

These advances in the knowledge base on teaching science and English language and literacy to 

English learners are consonant with the discourse about the development of NGSS. Similarly, the 

NGSS represents a major shift from the focus of scientific literacy as decontextualized content and 

process knowledge toward scientific literacy as the productive and integrated use of science language 

with science content while simulating what scientists do (e.g., plan investigations, develop models, 

argue from evidence). The NGSS, based upon the National Research Council report (National Research 

Council, 2012), A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core 

Ideas, identifies core science ideas and cross-cutting themes that students could learn in more rigorous 

and relevant ways as they progress through their K-12 science education. Further, the Science 

Framework provides a description of eight scientific and engineering practices that promote not only 

investigative competence, such as asking questions, planning investigations, and analyzing data, but 

also representational thinking through the use of models and mathematical relationships. In addition 

science and engineering practices are particularly language intensive: developing and using models; 

constructing explanations (science) and designing solutions (engineering); arguing from evidence; and 

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information (Lee, Quinn, & Valdes, 2013). 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
128 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

Few models of science teaching have been articulated in terms of how preservice secondary science 

teachers can learn to (a) promote authentic scientific discourse practices (Stoddart, 2013), and (b) 

engage students in rigorous, contextualized learning experiences in linguistically diverse science 

classrooms (Tolbert, 2013). Secondary science teachers generally consider themselves to be teachers of 

content rather than teachers of language, despite the fact that scientific argumentation, reasoning, and 

communication require a multitude of specialized written and oral literacy practices (Rodriguez, 2010). 

The prominent focus of NGSS on productive language use via the identification of language-intensive 

science and engineering practices has opened up new possibilities for all science teachers to consider 

the role of language in science and engineering instruction. More information about the NGSS and 

some experience about ELLISA project helped me to pay attention to the importance of NGSS and I 

focused on the standards of NGSS. For instance I chose a title for study and teaching in the K-12 to 

students and then find the frameworks and standards of it in the NGSS. Mixing the project strategy 

with the NGSS standards was the other investigation. 

For instance NGSS for the subject of duality nature of light (HS-PS4-3. The Wave or Particle Nature of 

Electromagnetic Radiation) has this framework:   

Students who demonstrate understanding can: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning (Note 2) 

behind the idea that (core idea): electromagnetic radiation (crosscutting): can be described either by a 

wave model or a particle model (Note 3), and that for some situations one model is more useful than the 

other (Note 4). (Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how the experimental evidence supports the 

claim and how a theory is generally modified in light of new evidence. Examples of a phenomenon could 

include resonance, interference, diffraction, and photoelectric effect. Assessment Boundary: Assessment 

does not include using quantum theory.) 

On the other hand NGSS mentions Common Core State Standards Connections for English learning 

Acquisition/Literacy: 

RST.9-10.8: Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author’s claim or 

a recommendation for solving a scientific or technical problem.  

RST.11-12.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending 

to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account.  

RST.11-12.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and 

media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem. 

RST.11-12.8: Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, 

verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of 

information.   

WHST.9-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, 

scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.  

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/WHST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/WHST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/WHST/9-10


www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
129 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

In Physics, mathematics standards has to be considered: MP.2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively.  

Making connections between these areas of subjects needs deep study and considering multidisciplinary 

character of knowledge. I found so many relations between several areas in NGSS: Connections to other 

disciplines in this grade-band and articulation of disciplines across grade-bands. 

2.3 Secondary Science Teaching with English Language and Literacy Acquisition (SSTELLA) Project 

Secondary Science Teaching with English Language and Literacy Acquisition project reflects the 

reciprocal and synergistic relationships among science, language, and literacy. Integrating the teaching 

of science content with the development of English language and literacy through contextualized 

science inquiry has been consistently shown to increase English learners’ achievement in both science 

and in the development of academic language and literacy (Bravo & Garcia, 2004; Rosebery & Warren, 

2008). SSTELLA reflects principles from the Science Framework and is designed to prepare teachers 

to effectively integrate science, language, and literacy instruction for ELs by promoting the productive 

use of science language in authentic contexts, whereby “students are supported in using multiple 

resources and strategies for learning science and developing English” ( Lee, Quinn, & Valdes, 2013). 

The framework views contextualized science activity as the gateway through which ELs can come to 

understand relationships between school science learning and their lived experiences outside of schools. 

Teachers promote scientific sense-making, scientific discourse, and English language and literacy 

development through these contextualized learning experiences. Science content and language then 

intersect as students, for example, construct oral and written explanations and engage in argument from 

evidence (Seyed Fadaei, 2016). Thus, the relationship between science learning and English language 

and literacy development can be viewed as reciprocal and synergistic.  

SSTELLA aims to contribute to the knowledge base on preparing secondary teacher to teach science to 

ELLs. The SSTELLA instructional practices are scientific sense-making through scientific/engineering 

practices, scientific discourse through scientific/engineering practices, English language and literacy 

development, contextualized Science Activity. 

 

http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/MP2


www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
130 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

 
Figure 3. The Project in Progress 

 

By engaging students in science investigations and engineering design problems in authentic, 

real-world problems, teachers can leverage students’ funds of knowledge from their homes and 

communities, the local physical or ecological environment, and/or socio-scientific issues as a way to 

engage ELs in meaningful and rigorous science learning experiences. To summarize, the four 

interrelated instructional practices just described highlight the reciprocal and synergistic relationship 

between science learning and English language and literacy development. LESSON LEARNING 

OBJECTIVES AND ASSESSMENT depending on NGSS framework and SSTELLA determined the 

Scientific Objectives of the duality nature of light as follow (Seyed Fadaei, 2017): 

1) Students will investigate the duality nature of light (NGSS, HS-PS4-3). 

2) Students will identify the evidences related to wave and particle model of light (NGSS, HS-PS4-A). 

3) Students will identify the reasons behind the new technologies based on duality of light (NGSS, 

HS-PS4-B). 

4) Students will identify with discovering new evidence in nature of light while old theory does not 

accommodate, the theory is generally modified in light of this new evidence (NGSS, Nature of Science). 

Language Learning Objectives:  

1) Students will be able to assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the 

author’s claim about each model of nature of light.  (RST.9-10.8)  

2) Students will be able to integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse 

formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question about the 

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12


www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
131 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

duality nature of light. (RST.11-12.7)  

3) Students will be able to evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or 

technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other 

sources of information. (RST.11-12.8 )  

4) Students will be able to write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical 

events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes. (WHST.9-12.2) 

After determining the most important factors in a lesson activity, the idea of the developer has an 

effective role on the details of the lesson plan. Using some diagrams, photos, videos (Seyed Fadaei, 

Daraei, & Mora Ley, 2013), charts and photography, questionnaire, activities and mixing them in to the 

verbal and writing contexts is very important for final version of the lesson activity (Seyed Fadaei & 

Mora Ley, 2015). The thing is very important is the developer of the lesson plan has his own choices to 

mix the subjects and equipment and activities but the importance of working in the frameworks and 

standards and relating it to the language literacy and learning English must be considered.  

 

3. Result 

In this article, we suggest using frameworks, for developing a preservice teacher education program 

designed to prepare secondary teachers to integrate the teaching of academic language and literacy with 

rigorous physics content instruction. We see the SSTELLA framework, which builds on the NGSS, as 

central to this integrated model of pre service secondary teacher preparation. Although this article has 

focused on the preparation of teachers to work with ELs, the new standards recognize the critical role 

that language, literacy, and discourse play in the learning of science for all students.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/11-12
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/WHST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/WHST/9-10
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/WHST/9-10


www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
132 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

Acknowledgement 

This material is based upon work supported by the AAPT E. Leonard Jossem International Education 

Fund. 

 

Note 

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the 

author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Association of Physics Teachers. 

 

References 

Banilower, E. R., Smith, P. S., Weiss, I. R., Malzahn, K. A., Campbell, K. M., & Weis, A. M. (2013). 

Report of the 2012 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education. Chapel Hill, NC: 

Horizon Research. 

Bravo, M., & Garcia, E. (2004). Learning to Write Like Scientists: English Language Learners Science 

Inquiry and Writing Understanding in Responsive Learning Contexts. Washington, DC: National 

Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition. 

Chee, J. (2014). Preparing Teachers for Linguistically Diverse Classrooms: Teaching and Learning 

Complex Instructional Practices (Qualifying Examination Paper). Education Department, 

University of California, Santa Cruz. 

Complete NGSS K-12. (n.d.) Retrieved from 

http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards  

Lee, O., & Luykx, A. (2006). Science Education and Student Diversity: Synthesis and Research Agenda. 

Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 

Lee, O., Quinn, H., & Valdes, G. (2013). Science and language for English language learners in relation 

to Next Generation Science Standards and with implications for Common Core State Standards for 

English language arts and mathematics. Educational Researcher, 42(4), 223-233. 

Lucas, T., & Villegas, A. M. (2011). A Framework for Preparing Linguistically Responsive Teachers. In 

T. Lucas (Ed.), Teacher Preparation for Linguistically Diverse Classrooms: A Resource for 

Teacher Educators (pp. 55-72). New York: Taylor & Francis. 

National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). The Condition of Education 2010 (NCES 2010-028). 

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. 

National Research Council. (2012). A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting 

Concepts, and Core Ideas. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. 

NGSS for California’s Public Schools, K-12 (Download your grade level). (n.d.). Retrieved from 

http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/ngssstandards.asp 

NGSS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nextgenscience.org/hsps-wer-waves-electromagnetic-radiation 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
133 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

Parsad, B., Lewis, L., Farris, E., & Greene, B. (2001). Teacher Preparation and Professional 

Development (NCES 2001-088). Washington DC: U.S. Department of Education, National Center 

for Education Statistics. 

Rodriguez, A. J. (Ed.). (2010). Science Education as a Pathway to Teaching Language Literacy. 

Rotterdam, Netherlands: Sense. 

Rosebery, A. S., & Warren, B. (2008). Teaching Science to English Language Learners. Alexandria, VA: 

National Science Teachers Association. 

Rosebery, A. S., & Warren, B. (2008). Teaching Science to English Language Learners. Alexandria, VA: 

National Science Teachers Association. 

Seyed Fadaei, A. (2016). Design of Training Based on Academic Skills (Training Program for 

Earthquake). International Journal of Advanced Research in Physical Science (IJARPS), 3(8), 

33-38. 
Seyed Fadaei, A. (2017). “Introducing the Duality Nature of Light”: A Lesson Plan Developed from 

SSTELLA. International Journal of Advanced Research in Physical Science (IJARPS), 4(4), 1-14. 

Seyed Fadaei, A., & Mora, C. (2015). An Investigation about Misconceptions in Force and Motion in 

High School. US-China Educational Review, 5(1), 38-45. 

Seyed Fadaei, A., Daraei, S., & Mora Ley, C. (2013). Interactive multimedia related to real life, a 

model to teach physics in high school. Merit Res. J. Art Soc. Sci. Humanit, 1(1). 

Stoddart, T. (2013). Restructuring pre-service teacher education to respond to increasing student 

diversity. Research in Higher Education Journal, 9, 1-14. 

Tolbert, S. (2013). Becoming More Responsive and Inclusive Science (Teacher) Educators. 

U.S. Department of Education. (2010). Consolidated State Performance Report Survey for 2009-2010. 

Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/ 

 

Notes 

Note 1. Dr. Trish Stoddart is a Professor of Education at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. 

Stoddart is an expert at improving the teaching of science in culturally and linguistically diverse 

classroom. She has extensive experience in research on instructional innovation and science education 

and has led several large federally funded projects including the NSF funded Effective Science 

Teaching for English Language Learners (ESTELL) project, the NSF funded Local Systemic Initiative 

LASERS (Language Acquisition through Science Education for Rural Schools) which brought together 

seven school districts to improve the teaching of science to English Language learners in California’s 

Central Valley. 

Note 2. Science and Engineering practices: 

-Engaging in argument from evidence in 9-12 builds on K-8 experiences and progresses to using 



www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm               Communication, Society and Media                Vol. 1, No. 2, 2018 

 

 
134 

Published by SCHOLINK INC. 

 

appropriate and sufficient evidence and scientific reasoning to defend and critique claims and 

explanations about natural and designed worlds. Arguments may also come from current scientific or 

historical episodes in science. 

-Calculate the claims, evidence and reasoning behind currently accepted explanations to determine the 

merits of arguments. —Connections to Nature of Science:  

Science Models, Laws, Mechanisms, and Theories Explain Natural Phenomena 

A scientific theory is a substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body 

of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment and the science 

community validates each theory before it is accepted. If new evidence is discovered that the theory 

does not accommodate, the theory is generally modified in light of this new evidence. 

Note 3. Disciplinary Core Ideas:  

Wave properties  

-[From the 3-5 grade band endpoints] Waves can add or cancel one another as they cross, depending on 

their relative phase (i.e., relative position of peaks and troughs of the waves), but they emerge 

unaffected by each other, (Boundary: The discussion at this grade level is qualitative only; it can be 

based on the fact that two different sounds can pass a location in different directions without getting 

mixed up) 

PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation 

-Electromagnetic radiation (e.g., radio, microwaves, light) can be modeled as a wave of changing 

electronic and magnetic fields or as particles called photons. The wave is useful for explaining many 

features of electromagnetic radiations and particle model explains other features. 

Note 4. Crosscutting Concepts:  

Systems and System Models 

-Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and 

interactions-including energy, matter, and information flows—within and between systems at different 

scales. 


