Curriculum Map
Underlying Concepts
Unit
Semester 1
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Structure and Function
Matter and Energy in Organisms
and Ecosystems
Inheritance and Variation of Traits
Macromolecules
Cell Structure and Function
DNA
Protein Synthesis
Cellular Transport
Cell Specialization
Homeostasis
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
The Cycling of Matter
Cell Cycle
Mitosis
Meiosis
Mendelian Genetics
Probability
Enduring Understandings and Performance
Indicator
Curriculum Map
PowerPoint presentation on the
organization and function of specific
organ systems including the
embryonic development of the
specific organ system, the
specialized cells within the organ
system, the specialized tissues
within an organ system, a
description of the specific organ
systems interactions with other
organ systems, and this specific
organ system’s role in maintaining
homeostasis within the body.
Students are asked to view a scene
from the movie, Mission to Mars, in
which scientists on the rescue
mission find their buddy, Luke, living
successfully in a greenhouse on Mars.
They must complete the following
task: “Imagine that you are one of
those scientists, but when you
arrive, you find the plants dying and
Luke is having difficult time
breathing. You have 26 hours to
figure out what is going
wrong before the plants, Luke AND
all of you die. The key is the
plants...your task is to figure out why
the plants are dying.
In detail, recommend how to
fix the problem in
the greenhouse and
develop a model of your solution.
Research Paper and classroom debate
on Genetic Engineering. Students will
prepare arguments for and against
Genetic Engineering. Students must be
prepared to argue either viewpoint in
the formal debate.
Content Standards Next Generation Science Standards
Curriculum Map
HS-LS1-1. Construct an explanation
based on evidence for how the
structure of DNA determines the
structure of proteins which carry
out the essential functions of life
through systems of specialized cells.
HS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model
to illustrate the hierarchical
organization of interacting systems
that provide specific functions
within multicellular organisms.
HS-LS1-3. Plan and conduct an
investigation to provide evidence
that feedback mechanisms maintain
homeostasis.
HS-LS1-5. Use a model to illustrate how
photosynthesis transforms light energy
into stored chemical energy.
HS-LS1-6. Construct and revise an
explanation based on evidence for how
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from
sugar molecules may combine with other
elements to form amino acids and/or
other large carbon-based molecules.
HS-LS1-7. Use a model to illustrate that
cellular respiration is a chemical process
whereby the bonds of food molecules
and oxygen molecules are broken and
the bonds in new compounds are formed
resulting in a net transfer of energy.
HS-LS2-3. Construct and revise an
explanation based on evidence for the
cycling of matter and flow of energy in
aerobic and
anaerobic conditions.
HS-LS2-4. Use mathematical
representations to support claims for the
cycling of matter and flow of energy
among
organisms in an ecosystem.
HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate
the role of photosynthesis and cellular
respiration in the cycling of carbon
among the biosphere, atmosphere,
hydrosphere, and geosphere.
HS-LS1-4. Use a model to illustrate
the role of cellular division
(mitosis) and differentiation in
producing and maintaining complex
organisms.
HS-LS3-1. Ask questions to clarify
relationships about the role of DNA
and chromosomes in coding the
instructions for characteristic traits
passed from parents to offspring.
HS-LS3-2. Make and defend a claim
based on evidence that inheritable
genetic variations may result from:
(1) new genetic combinations
through meiosis, (2) viable errors
occurring during replication, and/or
(3) mutations caused by
environmental factors.
HS-LS3-3. Apply concepts of statistics
and probability to explain the
variation and distribution of
expressed traits in a population.
Essential Questions
Curriculum Map
· What are the basic units of life?
· How do systems of cells function
together to support life’s
processes?
· How do feedback mechanisms
maintain homeostasis?
· How do carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen from sugar molecules
combine with other elements to
form amino acids and/or other large
carbon-based molecules?
· How do proteins carry out the
essential functions of life?
· How does the structure of DNA
determine the structure of
proteins?
· How do matter and energy move
through ecosystems (in aerobic and
anaerobic conditions)?
· How do organisms obtain and use
energy they need to live and grow?
· How can cellular respiration be
represented in a model?
· How does photosynthesis transform
light energy into stored chemical
energy?
·What is the role of photosynthesis
and cellular respiration in the cycling
of carbon among the biosphere,
atmosphere, hydrosphere, and
geosphere?
· How are the characteristics from
one generation related to the
previous generation?
· How can variation in a population
be explained?
· How do concepts of statistics and
probability explain the variation
and distribution of expressed traits
in a population?
· What is the relationship between
the role of DNA and chromosomes
in coding the instructions for
characteristic traits passed from
parents to offspring?
· What evidence exists that
inheritable genetic variations may
result from viable errors occurring
during replication?
· What evidence exists that
inheritable genetic variations may
result from mutations caused by
environmental factors?
· What is the role of cellular division
and differentiation in producing
and maintaining complex
organisms?
Laboratory Activities
Assessment Strategies
Curriculum Map
Lab Reports
Enzyme Lab Report
Maintaining Homeostasis:
Circulatory System and Respiratory
System Lab Report
Class Discussions
Healthy Eating Game and Discussion
Quizzes
Maintaining Homeostasis Quiz
DNA replication and Protein
Synthesis Quiz
Lab Reports
True Colors: Plant Pigments Paper
Energy Drink Lab Report
Can We Affect the Rate of
Photosynthesis? Lab Report
Projects
Photosynthesis Research Project:
Deforestation
Global Warming
Quizzes
Photosynthesis and Cellular
Respiration Quiz
Carbon Cycle Quiz
Lab Reports
Click and Clone Simulation Lab Report
Dragon Genetics Lab Report
Class Discussions
Chromosomal Abnormalities
Multifactorial Disorders
Single-Gene Disorders
Quizzes
Genetics Visual Quiz
Punnett Square Quiz
· Gummy Bear Osmosis Lab
· Building macromolecules
simulation
·Enzyme Lab using Animal Tissue
·Maintaining Homeostasis:
Circulatory System and Respiratory
System Lab
·Can We Affect the Rate of
Photosynthesis? Lab
·The Flying Photosynthetic Circus Lab
·True Colors: Plant Pigments Paper
·Chromatography Lab
·Taste the Rainbow!:Skittles to
exploration of photosynthesis and
cellular respiration
·The Carbon Cycle Simulation Game
·Carbon Cycle Role-play
·Energy Drink Project
·Mitosis Card Lab
· How long does each phase
of the cell cycle take? Lab
·Gizmos: DNA Fingerprint Analysis
Simulation
· Dragon Genetics Lab
· Gummy Bear Genetics Lab
· Karyotype Simulation Lab
· Click and Clone Simulation
· Project X-MEN: DNA structure, DNA
replication, Protein Synthesis and
Gene Mutations
Curriculum Map
Texts
·Glencoe Biology Text Chapters 6, 7;
Unit 2 P. 144-259
·DNA Mutation Article
·DNA Breakthrough Articles
·Nutrition Article
· Glencoe Biology Text Chapters 2, 8,
9;
· Life's Greatest Inventions: Photosy
nthesis
·The Glory of Leaves
· In Living Color
· Cellular Respiration Journal Article
Semester Break
· Glencoe Biology Text Chapters 9, 10,
11, 12, 13; Unit 3 P. 266-381
·Mutation and Haplotypes Interactive
Article
·The Outcome of Mutation Interactive
Article
·
Chromosomal Abnormalities
Interactive Article
· Multifactorial Disorders Interactive
Article
·
Single-Gene Disorders Interactive
Article
· Conservation Genetics Article
· Genetically Modified Foods Article
· Pharming for Farmaceuticals
Curriculum Map
Underlying Concepts
Unit
Semester 2
Unit 4
Unit 5
Natural Selection and Evolution
Interdependent Relationships in
Ecosystems
Natural Selection
Artificial Selection
Sexual Selection
Evolution
Hominid Evolution
Hardy-Weinberg Equation
Classification
Biodiversity
Populations
Ecosystems
Ecology
Water Solutions
Conservation
Environmental Issues
Human Responsibility
Enduring Understandings
and Performance
Indicator
Curriculum Map
Research paper on the history of
eugenics and artificial selection.
Students will discuss the possible
implications of eugenics in future
human populations.
Students will develop an online
questionnaire and conduct a survey to
assess the values/attitudes of the
community regarding wildlife issues
(reintroduction of wolves, zoning of
land, cloning of endangered species,
etc.).
Content Standards Next Generation Science Standards
Curriculum Map
HS-LS4-1. Communicate scientific
information that common ancestry and
biological evolution are supported by
multiple lines of empirical evidence.
HS-LS4-2. Construct an explanation based
on evidence that the process of evolution
primarily results from four factors: (1) the
potential for a species to increase in
number, (2) the heritable genetic variation
of individuals in a species due to mutation
and sexual reproduction, (3) competition
for limited resources, and (4) the
proliferation of those organisms that are
better
able to survive and reproduce in the
environment
HS-LS4-3. Apply concepts of statistics and
probability to support explanations that
organisms with an advantageous heritable
trait tend to increase in proportion to
organisms lacking this trait.
HS-LS4-4. Construct an explanation based
on evidence for how natural selection leads
to adaptation of populations.
HS-LS4-5. Evaluate the evidence supporting
claims that changes in environmental
conditions may result in: (1) increases in the
number of individuals of some species, (2)
the emergence of new species over time,
and (3) the extinction of other species.
HS-LS2-1. Use mathematical and/or
computational representations to
support explanations of factors that
affect carrying capacity of
ecosystems at different scales.
HS-LS2-2. Use mathematical
representations to support and revise
explanations based on evidence
about factors affecting biodiversity
and populations in ecosystems of
different scales.
HS-LS2-6. Evaluate the claims, evidence,
and reasoning that the complex
interactions in ecosystems maintain
relatively consistent numbers and types of
organisms in stable conditions, but
changing conditions may result in a new
ecosystem.
HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine
a solution for reducing the impacts of
human activities on the environment and
biodiversity.
HS-LS2-8. Evaluate the evidence for the
role of group behavior on individual and
species’ chances to survive and reproduce.
HS-LS4-6. Create or revise a simulation to
test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts
of human activity on biodiversity.
Essential Questions
Curriculum Map
· What scientific information supports
common ancestry and biological evolution?
· What is the role of genetic variation in
natural selection?
· How does natural selection lead to
adaptation of populations?
· What are the four factors upon which the
process of evolution is based?
· How can the adverse impacts of human
activity on biodiversity be mitigated?
· What are the results of changes in
environmental conditions over time?
· How can statistics and probability be used
to support the idea that organisms with
advantageous heritable traits tend to
increase in proportion to organisms lacking
this trait?
· How do organisms interact with the living
and non-living environment to obtain
matter and energy?
· What factors affect the carrying capacity
of ecosystems?
· What factors affect population growth?
· What factors affect biodiversity and
populations in ecosystems?
· How does biodiversity affect humans?
· How does energy flow and matter cycle
through organisms in an ecosystem?
· Why do ecosystems maintain relatively
consistent numbers and types of organisms
in stable conditions, while new ecosystems
may result from changing
conditions?
· How can the impacts of human activities
on the environment and biodiversity be
reduced?
· What is the relationship between
resource use and sustainable
development?
· What factors determine global climate?
· What is the role of group behavior
on individual and species’ chances
to survive and reproduce?
Laboratory Activities
Assessment Strategies
Curriculum Map
Lab Reports
Paramecium Competition Virtual Lab
Report
Adaptive Artistry Lab Report
Projects
Natural Selection Cartoon
Bird Sexual Selection Writing Assignment
Class Discussions
Artificial vs. Natural Selection Interactive
Article Discussion
Quizzes
Evolution Quiz
Artificial vs. Natural Selection Quiz
Lab Reports
Bird Song Survey
Predator vs. Prey- “Oh Deer” Lab Report
Projects
Back from the Brink: Recovery Efforts
Presentations
Know Your Legislature: What's in it for
Wildlife? Legislative Simulation
Artic Survival Simulation
Visit to Wildlife Park
Class Discussions
Conservation: Human Responsibility
·Sinking Ship Eugenics Activity
· Evidence of Evolution Lab
·Adaptive Artistry Lab
·Mammal Skulls: Virtual Lab
·Natural Selection Lab
·Paramecium Competition Virtual Lab
·Mechanisms of Evolution Simulation
·Could you beat natural selection? Lab
· Molecular Clock Lab
·Sustainability: Then, Now, Later Lab
·Can Do! Lab
·Deer Crossing
·A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Lab
·Bird Song Survey
·Turkey Trouble Lab
· Predator vs. Prey- “Oh Deer” lab
· Arthropod Population Sampling Lab
·Birds of Prey Lab
·Carrying Capacity Lab
Texts
Curriculum Map
·Glencoe Biology Text Chapters 14 and 15;
Unit 4 P. 388-505
·The Arthropod Story
· Recipe For Evolution: Variation, Selection,
& Time Interactive Article
· Stickleback Evolution Interactive Article
· Rock Pocket Mice Interactive Article
·Artificial vs. Natural Selection Interactive
Article
·Darwin Article
·The Evolutionary Arms Race
· Glencoe Biology Text Chapter 18
·Back from the Brink
· Recent Sustainability article
· The Sustainable Scale Project
· Important Wildlife Legislation