Use a Systems Approach to Design and Teach Your Lessons

The Framework for K-12 Science Education emphasizes integrating scientific practices (SPs), disciplinary core ideas (DCIs) and the big ideas of science (crosscutting concepts or CCCs). This integration is often referred to as 3-Dimensional (3-D) instruction. In our work with teachers, we observed science practices and crosscutting concepts treated as add-ons taught through direct instruction. To help teachers seamlessly integrate science practices and crosscutting concepts into their lessons, we worked with a team of teachers to develop a systems-based planning approach that uses existing materials and favorite activities and phenomena to develop 3-D unit plans. In this article we describe the systems-based planning process, provide examples of teacher work, and summarize the role of colleagues, not necessarily in the same building, in supporting the paradigm shift that accompanies the planning process.