H3.C. 1
Instructional Sequence C: 4 year model
COURSE 1: Physics
Title of Unit
Highlighted SEP
Highlighted CCC
PEs addressed
DCI addressed
Brief Summary
Unit 1:
Forces and
Motion
 Analyzing and interpreting data
 Mathematics and computational
thinking
 Developing and using models
 Planning and carrying out
investigations
 Defining problems
 Designing solutions
 Developing and using models
 Mathematics and computational
thinking
 Planning and carrying out
investigations
 Analyzing and interpreting data
 Constructing explanations (for
science) and designing solutions (for
engineering)
 Obtaining, evaluating, and
communicating information
 Developing and using models
 Cause and effect
 Systems, and
system models
HS-PS2-1
HS-PS2-2
HS-PS2-3*
HS-ETS1-1
HS-ETS1-4
PS2.A – Forces and
Motion
ETS1.A – Defining
and Delimiting
Engineering Problems
ETS1.B – Developing
Possible Solutions
Force is equal the product
of mass and acceleration.
In a closed system, the
total momentum is
constant.
 Cause and effect
 Structure and
function
HS-PS2-4
HS-PS2-5
HS-PS2-6*
HS- ETS1-1
PS2.B – Types of
Interaction
ETS1.A – Defining
and Delimiting
Engineering Problems
The inverse square law
applies to gravity and
electromagnetic
interactions. Flowing
electrons produce a
magnetic field, and
spinning magnets cause
electric currents to flow.
 Energy and
matter: Flows,
cycles and
conservation
HS-PS1-8
HS-PS3-2
HS-PS3-5
HS-PS3-3*
HS-ETS1-2
PS1.C – Nuclear
Processes
PS3.A – Definitions
of Energy
PS3.B – Conservation
of Energy and Energy
Transfer
PS3.C – Relationship
Between Energy and
Forces
Energy is the capacity for
doing work and may exist
in potential, kinetic,
thermal, electrical,
chemical, nuclear, or
other various forms.
Unit 2:
Types of
Interactions
Unit 3:
Energy
H3.C. 2
Unit 4:
 Asking questions
Waves and
 Using mathematics and
Electromagne
computational thinking
tic Radiation  Engaging in argument from evidence
 Obtaining, evaluating and
communicating information
 Energy & matter
 Cause & effect
 Systems & system
models
 Stability and
change
HS-PS4-1
HS-PS4-3
HS-PS4-4
HS-PS4-5*
HS-PS4-2
HS- ETS1-1
PS4.A – Wave
Properties
PS4.B –
Electromagnetic
Radiation
PS4.C – Information
Technologies and
Instrumentation
PS3.D – Energy in
ETS1.A – Defining
and Delimiting
Engineering Problems
Electromagnetic radiation
has many applications,
and can be modeled as a
wave of changing electric
and magnetic fields or as
particles called photons.
H3.C. 3
Course 2: Chemistry
Unit
Key SEP
Unit 1:
Structures and
Properties of
Matter
 Developing & using models
 Planning and carrying out
investigations
 Engaging in argument from
evidence
 Developing and using models
 Using mathematics and
computational thinking
 Constructing explanations and
designing solutions
Unit 3:
 Using mathematics and
Conservation of
computational thinking
Energy and Energy  Developing and using models
Transfer
 Planning and carrying out
investigations
 Analyzing and interpreting data
 Asking questions and defining
problems
 Constructing explanations and
designing solutions
Unit 2:
Chemical
Reactions
Key CCC
 Patterns
 Cause and effect
 Energy and matter
 Structure and
function
PEs addressed
DCI addressed
HS-PS1-1
HS-PS1-2
HS-PS1-3
HS-PS1-4
PS1.A – Structure
and Properties of
Matter
 Patterns
 Energy and
matter
 Stability and
change
 Cause and effect
HS-PS1-5
HS-PS1-6*
HS-PS1-7
HS-ETS1-2
 Energy and
matter
 Scale, proportion,
and quantity
HS-PS3-1
HS-PS3-4
HS-PS3-3
Brief Summary
The properties of matter
are a function of atomic
and molecular structure.
Atomic and molecular
structure can be inferred
from the properties of
bulk matter.
PS1.B – Chemical Chemical processes can
reactions
be predicted and
ETS1.C –
explained knowing the
Optimizing the
properties of the
Design Solution
reactants, conditions, and
the Law of the
conservation of mass
PS3.B –
Energy cannot be created
Conservation of
nor destroyed, but may
Energy and Energy change form. The
Transfer
entropy of an isolated
system increases over
PS3.D – Energy in time.
Chemical
Processes and
Everyday Life
H3.C. 4
Course 3: Biology
Title of Unit Highlighted SEP
Unit 1:
DNA to
cells to
systems
 Developing & using
models
 Planning and carrying out
investigations
 Constructing explanations
and designing solutions.
Unit 2: Cell
reproduction
linked to
growth.
 Developing & using
models
Unit 3:
Light energy
to chemical
energy to
life.
 Developing & using
models
 Constructing explanations
and designing solutions
Highlighte
d CCC
 Systems
and
System
Models
 Structure
and
Function
 Stability
and
Change
 Systems
and
System
Models
PEs
addressed
HS-LS1-1
HS-LS1-2
HS-LS1-3
 Energy
and
Matter
HS-LS1-5
HS-LS1-6
HS-LS1-7
HS-LS1-4
HS-LS2-1
Unit 4:
 Using Mathematical and
 Scale,
Influences
Computational Thinking
proportio HS-LS2-2
on
n and
population
quantity
growth.
Unit 5:
 Developing & using models  Systems HS-LS2-3
Interconnect  Using Mathematical and
HS-LS2-4
and
edness of
HS-LS2-5
System
Computational Thinking
matter and
Models
 Constructing Explanations
energy
 Energy
and Designing Solutions
cycling.
and
Matter
DCI addressed
Brief Summary
LS1.A-Structure
and Function
How do we know that DNA codes for proteins that actually do
things in cells?
How do systems work in a multi-celled organism and what happens
if there is a change in the system?
How do organisms survive even when there are changes in their
environment? Understanding the relationship between DNA and
proteins and how these relate to how a cell functions. Building on
concepts of cells as living organisms that can carry on life and how
cells work together to become organs and organ systems.
Homeostasis is defined and examples given.
LS1.B- Growth
How do organisms grow and still maintain fidelity in how their cells
and development perform?
of organisms
What happens after a cell divides?
In order for organisms to grow there has to be some fidelity between
parent cells and daughter cells this happens during cell division.
LS1.CHow do living things acquire energy for life?
Organization for How do organisms store energy?
matter and
How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration connected?
energy flow in
What components are necessary to build more complex molecules?
organisms
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are linked to the movement
of energy through plants and animals. Understanding how they
interact together to provide energy for living systems is discussed in
this unit.
LS2.AHow and why do populations change over time?
Interdependent
Density dependent and independent factors, what determines
relationships in
whether a population grows or not.
ecosystems
LS2.B- Cycles of
matter and energy
transfer in
ecosystems
Why is the cycling of matter and energy important?
How is matter and energy linked in ecosystems?
10% law of energy, models of cycling of matter (carbon and
nitrogen) and how linked to energy.
H3.C. 5
Unit 6:
Changes in
ecosystems
natural and
human.
Unit 7: Who
helps who
survive?
 Constructing
Explanations and
Designing Solutions
 Stability
and
Change
HS-LS2-6
HS-LS2-7*
HS-ETS1-3
 Engaging in argument
from Evidence
 Cause
and
Effect
HS-LS2-8
Unit 8:
Why do we
look like our
parents?
Unit 9:
Variation,
necessary
for life.
 Asking Questions and
defining Problems
 Cause
and
Effect
HS-LS3-1
 Analyzing and
Interpreting Data
 Engaging in Argument
from Evidence
 Scale,
Proporti
on and
Quantity
HS-LS3-2
HS-LS3-3
Unit 10:
How we are
all related.
 Obtaining, Evaluating
and Communicating
Information
 Patterns
HS-LS4-1
Unit 11:
Evidence of
Natural
Selection
 Analyzing and
Interpreting Data
 Constructing
Explanations and
Designing Solutions
 Analyzing and
Interpreting Data
 Using Mathematics and
Computational Thinking
 Constructing
Explanations and
Designing Solutions
 Engaging in Argument
from Evidence
 Patterns
 Cause
and
Effect
HS-LS4-2
HS-LS4-3
 Patterns
 Cause
and
Effect
HS-LS4-4
HS-LS4-5
HS-LS4-6
Unit 12:
Why adapt?
LS2.CEcosystem
dynamics,
functioning, and
resilience
LS2.D- Social
interactions and
group behavior
What types of interactions cause changes in ecosystems that
ultimately effect populations?
To what extent can humans “undo” their negative impact on the
environment?
Conservation biology, unintended consequences, human impacts.
How do organisms ensure that their gene pool gets passed on?
What affects a population’s chance of survival?
Individuals raising young rather than having young, colonies, and
herds used for protecting young so traits passed on and other modes
of kin selection.
LS3.AHow are characteristics of one generation passed to the next?
Inheritance of
What allows traits to be transmitted from parents to offspring?
traits
How DNA carries the code for traits and how this gets passed from
generation to generation.
LS3.B- Variation What is the chance of a trait being passed from one generation to
of traits
another?
What happens if there is a mutation in that gene?
What combinations of alleles are possible?
What contributes to phenotypes?
Punnett squares, prediction models, how do we get variation?
LS4.A- Evidence What evidence shows that different species are related?
of common
How did modern day humans evolve?
ancestry and
Common ancestor and branches of change. Explanation of how
diversity
humans evolved.
LS4.B-Natural
What processes influence natural selection?
Selection
What do changes in patterns of phenotypes mean?
What Darwin observed and the conclusions he drew from his
observations.
LS4.CAdaptation and
human effects on
biodiversity
How does natural selection lead to adaptation in populations?
How do changes in ecosystems influence populations?
What are the cause and effect criteria for changes in populations?
Populations maintaining diversity. Selective pressures and what that
means for survival.
H3.C. 6
Course 4: Earth/Space Science
Title of unit
Key SEP
Key CCC
Unit 1:
Oil & Gas
 Developing
and using
models
 Engaging in
an argument
from
evidence
 Energy and matter:
Flows, cycles, and
conservation
Unit 2:
Climate
 Developing
and using
models
 Analyzing
and
interpreting
data
 Systems and system
models
 Energy and matter:
Flows, cycles, and
conservation
 Stability and Change
 Cause and effect
Unit 3:
Mountains,
Valleys, and
Coasts
 Plan and
conduct
investigation
s
 Developing
and using
models
 Stability and change
Unit 4:
Water &
Farming
 Planning
and carrying
out
investigation
s
 Analyzing &
interpreting
data
 Systems and systems
models
 Cause and effect
 Stability and change
PE’s
addressed
HS-ESS2-6
HS-ESS2-7
HS-ESS2-2
HS-ESS2-4
HS-ESS2-6
HS-ESS3-2
HS-ESS3-5
HS-ESS3-6
HS-ETS1-1
HS-ESS2-1
HS-ESS2-5
HS-ESS3-1
HS-ESS3-5
HS-ETS1-3
HS-ESS2-5
HS-ESS3-1
HS-ESS3-3
HS-ESS3-5
HS-ETS1-1
HS-ETS1-4
DCI’s addressed
ESS2.A Earth Materials and
Systems
ESS2.E Bio geology
ESS3.A Natural Resources
Brief Summary
Where do oil and gas come from?
What is the impact of driving cars and
using other fossil fuels on the Earth
system?
Oil and gas are crucial resources that allow
us to harness energy from ancient life, but
we also unleash ancient carbon into our
atmosphere.
ESS2.A Earth Materials and
What regulates weather and climate?
Systems
What effects are humans having on the
ESS3.C Human Impacts on
climate?
Earth Systems
Data reveal that carbon in our atmosphere
ESS3.D Global Climate Change has a big impact on global temperatures and
ETS1.A Defining and Delimiting climate. Humans, in turn, have a big impact
Engineering Problems
on carbon in our atmosphere.
ESS2.A Earth Materials and
How did California’s landscape get to look
Systems
the way it does today?
ESS2.C The Role of Water in
What forces shape the Earth’s surface?
Earth’s Surface Processes
How do those processes affect humans?
ESS3.B Natural Hazards
Water shapes and sculpts our landscapes.
ESS3.D Global Climate Change The process is sometimes thought of as
ETS1.B Developing Possible
slow and steady, but often occurs as
Solutions
catastrophic events when driving forces
exceed resisting forces.
ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in
Why do droughts have such a strong impact
Earth’s Surface Processes
on California and other parts of the world?
ESS3.A Natural Resources
How will changes in climate affect our
ESS3.D Global Climate Change water resources?
ETS1.A Defining and Delimiting California depends on its precious water
Engineering Problems
resources to sustain its people and its farms.
ETS1.C Developing Possible
Solutions
H3.C. 7
 Developing
 Cause and Effect
Unit 5:
and using
Causes and
models
effects of

Earthquakes Constructing
explanations
HS-ESS1-5
HS-ESS2-1
HS-ESS2-3
HS-ESS3-1
ESS2.A Earth Materials and
Systems
ESS2.B Plate Tectonics and
Large-Scale System Interactions
What causes earthquakes?
Earthquakes and motion at the surface give
clues to what goes on deep inside the Earth.
How do Earth’s natural systems influence
our cities?
How do cities affect Earth’s natural
systems?
The majority of California residents live in
urban areas that were shaped by the natural
environment. Our continued growth in
these areas requires that we also think about
how human activity in turn affects the
natural environment.
What are stars made of?
How do stars glow, and what causes them
to be different colors?
We are made of star-stuff and we depend
on our closest star, Sun for all our energy.
The light from stars tells us more about
what they are and how they shine.
How did the Universe begin? And how do
we know?
What are the predictable patterns of
movement in our solar system?
The structure of objects in our Universe and
the motions of all bodies within it are
driven by the competition between the
explosive force of the Big Bang and the
attractive force of gravity.
Unit 6:
Urban
geoscience
 Defining
problems
(for
engineering)
 Obtaining,
evaluating,
and using
information
 Structure and
function
 Systems and system
models
HS-ESS3-1
HS-ESS3-4
HS-ETS1-2
HS-ETS1-4
ESS3.C Human Impacts on
Earth Systems
ETS1.B Developing Possible
Solutions
ETS1.C Optimizing Design
Solutions
Unit 7: Star
Stuff
 Developing
and using
models
 Constructing
explanations
 Energy and Matter,
Patterns
 Cause and effect
HS-ESS1-1
HS-ESS1-3
HS-ESS1-6
ESS1.A The Universe and Its
Stars
ESS1.C The History of Planet
Earth
Unit 8:
Motion in
the Universe
 Constructing
explanations
 Using
mathematics
and
computation
al thinking
 Scale, proportion, &
quantity
 Structure and
function
HS-ESS1-2
HS-ESS1-4
HS-ESS1-6
ESS1.A The Universe and Its
Stars
ESS1.B Earth and the Solar
System
ESS1.C The History of Planet
Earth