Abstract
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in ELA/literacy and Math are prioritized in schools, limiting time to teach science, compounded by the fact that many kindergartens are half day. Thus, teachers struggle with time to provide opportunities for students to learn the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in kindergarten, impacting their success in later grades. One way teachers can teach both the CCSS in ELA/literacy and NGSS is through integrated curriculum, which maximizes time and helps build students’ critical thinking skills. This project used Understanding by Design (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005) to develop an integrated NGSS and CCSS in ELA/literacy curriculum that includes inquiry, heuristic learning in science (Suchman, 1976), and experiential learning (Dewey, 1938).