California NGSS Models Explained: Integrated vs. Discipline Specific for 6th, 7th, and 8th

Comparing California’s Middle School Science Models: Integrated vs. Discipline Specific

If you’re a middle school science teacher or parent in California, you may be wondering:
What’s the difference between the Integrated Model and the Discipline Specific Course Model for science instruction?
Both are approved by the California Department of Education and align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)—but they take very different approaches. This post will break down both models, highlight their pros and cons, and help you determine which one might best suit your classroom or child.

If you’re simply looking for a complete curriculum and standard breakdown for both click your preferred curriculum and grade below.

Integrated Model (Preferred Model)

Discipline Specific Model

What Are the Two Science Course Models?

1. Integrated Model (Preferred Model)

This is California’s preferred approach. Instead of teaching one science discipline per grade, it blends life science, physical science, Earth and space science, and engineering across all three grades (6–8). Students revisit and build on ideas from different disciplines each year.

Grade 6 Preferred Model Includes

MS-LS1 Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes: MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7
MS-LS2 Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-3, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5
MS-ESS2 Earth’s Systems: MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-3
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity: MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-2
MS-PS1 Matter and its Interactions: MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3, MS-PS1-4, MS-PS1-5, MS-PS1-6
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design: MS-ETS1-1, ETS1-2, ETS1-3, ETS1-4

Grade 7 Preferred Model Includes

MS-LS1 Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes: MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7
MS-LS2 Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-3, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5
MS-ESS2 Earth’s Systems:: MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-3
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity: MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-2
MS-PS1 Matter and its Interactions: MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3, MS-PS1-4, MS-PS1-5, MS-PS1-6
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design: MS-ETS1-1, ETS1-2, ETS1-3, ETS1-4

Grade 8 Preferred Model Includes

MS- LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits: MS-LS3-1
MS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity: MS-LS4-1, MS-LS4-2, MS-LS4-3, MS-LS4-4, MS-LS4-5, MS-LS4-6
MS-ESS1 Earth’s Place in the Universe: MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-ESS1-4
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity: MS-ESS3-4
MS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions: MS-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-3, MS-PS2-4, MS-PS2-5
MS-PS3 Energy: MS-PS3-1, MS-PS3-2
MS-PS4 Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer: MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2, MS-PS4-2,
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design: MS-ETS1-1, ETS1-2, ETS1-3, ETS1-4

2. Discipline Specific Model

This more traditional model teaches one discipline per grade:

Grade 6: Earth and Space Science

MS ESS1-1, MS ESS1-2, MS ESS1-3, MS ESS1-4
MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-3, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6
MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-2, MS ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, MS-ESS3-5
MS-ETS1-1, 2, 3, 4

Grade 7: Life Science

MS-LS1-1, MS-LS1-2, MS-LS1-3, MS-LS1-4, MS-LS1-5, MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7, MS-LS1-8:
MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-3, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5
MS LS3-1, MS-LS3-2
MS LS4-1, MS LS4-2, MS LS4-3, MS LS4-4, MS LS4-5, MS LS4-6
MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3, MS-ETS1-4

Grade 8: Physical Science

MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3, MS-PS1-4, MS-PS1-5, MS-PS1-6
MS PS2-1, MS PS2-2, MS PS2-3, MS PS2-4, MS PS2-5
MS PS3-1, MS PS3-2, MS-PS3-3, MS-PS3-4, MS-PS3-5
MS PS4-1, MS PS4-2, MS PS4-3
MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3, MS-ETS1-4:

It keeps subjects more isolated but still follows NGSS’s three-dimensional learning structure.

Key Differences

Feature	Integrated Model	Discipline Specific Model
Structure	Mixed disciplines each year	One subject per year
NGSS Alignment	Fully aligned and preferred by the state	Fully aligned but considered an alternate option
Continuity	Revisits and deepens topics over time	Each topic taught once, more in-depth
Adoption	Most districts use this model	Used by some districts by choice or transition

Pros and Cons of Each Model

✅ Integrated (Preferred) Model – Pros

More Realistic to How Science Works: In real life, scientists draw on multiple disciplines to solve problems. This model mirrors that.
Better for Vertical Integration: Students build on prior knowledge across grades.
Stronger Conceptual Connections: Earth, life, and physical sciences are intertwined naturally.
Supports Phenomena-Based Learning: Makes it easier to anchor lessons in real-world questions that span disciplines.

❌ Integrated Model – Cons

Can Be Challenging for Teachers: Requires comfort teaching across all science domains every year.
Curriculum Transitions: May be confusing if students transfer from or to a school using the other model.

✅ Discipline Specific Model – Pros

Focused Learning: Teachers and students can go deeper into a single discipline each year.
More Familiar Structure: Resembles how science has traditionally been taught.
Simpler Planning: Teachers concentrate on one content area at a time.

❌ Discipline Specific Model – Cons

Harder to Make Connections: Students may not see how Earth science relates to physics, for example.
Limited Repetition: Concepts are only taught once, so there’s less opportunity to reinforce learning across years.
Less Emphasis on Interdisciplinary Thinking: May miss opportunities to integrate scientific ideas across domains.

So Which Model Is Better?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The Integrated Model is better aligned to how NGSS envisions science education—interconnected, inquiry-driven, and phenomena-based. But the Discipline Specific Model offers clarity, depth, and simplicity that some schools and teachers prefer.

Choose the Integrated Preferred Model if:

You want to emphasize connections across disciplines
Your school or district already follows the preferred path
You’re comfortable teaching all branches of science

Choose the Discipline Specific Model if:

You prefer diving deeply into one content area per year
You’re new to NGSS and want a more familiar teaching structure
Your district has approved it as an alternate model

Final Thoughts

No matter which model your school uses, the key is high-quality, engaging instruction that aligns with NGSS. I’ve created curriculum bundles for both models—designed to save teachers time and help students succeed.

👉 Check out my Integrated Preferred Model Resources for California 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade
👉 Or explore my Discipline Specific Course Bundles by grade and subject

Both include: