This article describes ways to adapt U.S. science curriculum to the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) "Framework for K-12 Science Education" and "Next Generation of Science Standards" (NGSS), noting their focus on teaching the physical sciences. The overall goal of the Framework and NGSS is to help all learners develop the science and engineering understanding that they need to live successful, informed, and productive lives and that will help them create a sustainable planet for future generations. The physical science core ideas are critical to this effort. The NGSS make use of five key ideas from the Framework, described herein, which are: (1) limited number of core ideas; (2) crosscutting concepts; (3) engaging in scientific and engineering practices; (4) the integration or coupling of core ideas and scientific practices to develop performance expectations; and (5) an ongoing developmental process. This article focuses on the NGSS disciplinary core ideas in physical science and the development of those ideas across time, the importance of blending core ideas with scientific and engineering practices to build understanding, and the development of performance expectations. Affixed is text by Ted Willard with an accompanying diagram that provides an overview on the architecture of the Next Generation Science Standards.