ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the importance of teachers connecting the model lessons and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The hard work of translating the model lessons to the NGSS is a powerful professional development strategy that takes teachers' practice to new levels. Using the pathways opens opportunities for teachers to address the three interconnected dimensions of NGSS: Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. The phenomena-based approaches also directly relate to the NGSS. One of the most beneficial activities educators can do is reflect on teaching and create NGSS "connection" tables. NGSS connection tables allow teachers to align activities used in the model lessons with their corresponding dimensions of the NGSS. Teachers have learned quite a bit about their practice from connecting the model lessons to the NGSS. Some teachers who use the pathways receive validation that their existing practices align with the NGSS.
