If you’re a middle school science teacher or a parent navigating California’s education system, you may have heard about the California Preferred Science Curriculum. But what exactly is it, and why is it considered beneficial for students?
What Is the Preferred Science Curriculum?
California’s Preferred Science Curriculum is a list of instructional materials for grades 6–8 that have been approved by the California Department of Education (CDE). These materials are carefully reviewed and vetted to ensure they meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which California adopted in 2013.
It breaks the MS-NGSS into different grades which each incorporate different science strands. If it’s all feeling a little overwhelming, don’t worry. I’ve already put everything together for each grade including a description of each standard. Just click on the grade you’re teaching.
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
California’s Preferred Science Curriculum looks like this:
The classroom feels more like a lab, workshop, or science club—less like a lecture hall.
Why Is This Curriculum Beneficial for Students?
- Students explore big scientific questions through hands-on investigations
- Lessons are built around real-world phenomena
- Learning is student-centered, collaborative, and discussion-rich
- Concepts from life, physical, and Earth science are integrated
- There’s strong support for language learners and diverse abilities
1. Built Around How Kids Learn Science Best
2. Emphasizes Real-World Phenomena
3. Supports Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
4. Equitable and Inclusive
5. Consistent and Coherent Across Grades
Final Thoughts
If you’re a teacher in California, are using the preferred science model, and would like a curriculum rich with engaging, student-friendly lessons, activities, projects, readings, and more, check out my California Grade-Specific Curriculum Bundles for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. From Earth science to physics, I’ve got you covered. Each of my grade curriculums include:
- Lesson Bundles
- Lessons in PowerPoint and Google
- Homework and/or Worksheets Provided for Many Lessons
- Teacher and Student Versions of Each Lesson
- Many Activities, Projects, Review Activities, STEM Challenges
