NGSS The Living Earth: Integrating Biology and Earth Science
Kognity’s digital curriculum for high school Biology, integrated with Earth and Space Science, uses a phenomena-based approach to make science instruction more engaging and accessible, aligning with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and state-specific science standards.
NGSS-aligned Curriculum for High School Biology
Kognity’s NGSS The Living Earth course is made up of 6 Biology units, with integrated Earth and Space Science. Each unit begins with an anchoring phenomenon that is then investigated in a number of modules that provide opportunities for students to observe, collaborate and explore.
Units include: Ecosystem interactions and energy; History of Earth’s atmosphere; Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity; Inheritance of Traits; Structure, Function, and Growth; Ecosystem Stability and the Response to Climate Change.
Get a glimpse inside a Kognity lesson
Explore The Living Earth Module 3.2: What can physical features tell us about relatedness?
Anchoring phenomenon
In this module, students first observe cases in which people have found mammoth skeletons in unexpected places. Next, students observe several fossils that look similar to both the mammoth skeleton and modern-day elephants. Students share what they observe and wonder about the similarities and differences in the fossils.
Engaging with the question
Introducing the module question: “How are the modern-day species of elephants related to extinct mammoths and other extinct elephant-like species? Why did all the elephant-like species go extinct?” students begin by sharing observations of what they see, without making connections to meaning. Next, students can build on their observations to make connections to meaning.
Creating and sharing initial ideas
Students view the images of these species and notice similarities and differences in their physical features and living environments. Students group the organisms by how closely they think they are related to one another. Students use whatever criteria they think are most appropriate for grouping the organisms. Students will gather evidence across the module to refine their initial ideas of how closely these organisms are related to one another.
Returning to the Driving Question Board
This is where students are provided the time to reflect on what they have learned and to record new questions they can add to the Driving Question Board.
Students are prompted to generate at least one new question based on their observations of how closely the organisms are related to one another, using a think-pair-share or whole-class discussion.
Assessment
Students will submit a summative assessment, Performance Task, either by group, partner or solo submission where they will use patterns, evidence, picture within data tables.
Scope and Sequence & Standards Mapping
Access documentation outlining how Kognity Biology lessons map to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Alignment with state-specific standards
Kognity’s resources are also designed to align with state-specific standards and Performance Expectations. Get in touch for more information.
Using the Kognity teaching and learning platform for high school Biology
NGSS high school Biology for teachers
Kognity’s NGSS The Living Earth resource for high school Biology enables you take Biology from the classroom into the real world with:
- Consistent lesson organization with modules broken down into flexible content options based on the 5E cycle.
- A clean and intuitive navigation.
- An extensive media library with 750+ videos, images and interactive models.
- Driving question boards that let students drive the learning journey and collaborate with peers.
- Activity sheets for students to test their knowledge and hold themselves accountable.
- Teacher instructions with suggestions on how to facilitate activities and support students.
- Performance tasks at the end of each module to assess student performance over time.
NGSS high school Biology for students
Kognity’s NGSS The Living Earth resource for high school Biology provides students with extensive activities, tips and opportunities to develop scientific thinking, including:
- Opportunities for reflection and inquiry throughout the units, with activities to enable exploration, explanation and elaboration.
- A student notebook to record notes and observations.
- A variety of multimedia including 3D models and other interactive content to observe and explore phenomena.
- Box features highlighting different kinds of important information and advice.
- Glossary and vocabulary boxes covering key scientific terms and definitions.
- Integrated reading assistance with numerous font and style options, audio support and 100+ language options.
- Activity sheets and Performance tasks to evaluate progress and prepare for upcoming tests.
Get instant access to NGSS Biology: The Living Earth
Take a digital guided tour and explore Kognity’s NGSS-aligned Biology resource with 30 days of free access to Kognity for High School Science.