Introduction: Biology – 1st Cycle
Due Date: October 10th
Prompt: The purpose of this project is to alternatively assess your learning and provide real-world applications relating to
the instructional objectives for the first grading cycle (as discussed in the course syllabus). You can choose one of the
following project options below for this cycle. If you would like to propose an independent project relating to the
instructional objectives, please speak with Mrs. Flores in private. Instructional TEKS include:

Unit #1 – Nature of Science (B3.F – Research and describe the history of biology and contributions of scientists)

Unit #2 – Biomolecules (B9.A – Compare the structures and functions of different types of biomolecules)

Unit #3 – Introduction to Cells (B4.A – Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; B4.B – Investigate and
explain cellular processes)
This project will count as a major grade. The full rubric for the project is loaded on the class website. Read each
section of the rubric carefully to receive full credit. Late projects will be reduced by 10 points for each day late, beginning
October 10th any time after your class period. If you have any questions, please ask! Good luck!
Pts
Description
Option #1 Scientist Newsletter - (pg. 2-3) You will research a key scientist whose research impacts our
Students will chose 1 of the 3 topics listed for the cycle project.
knowledge of biology and design an informational newsletter (1 page) using Microsoft Publisher.
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The newsletter will include photographs and/or graphics, background information (childhood,
education, etc.), and information on the important and major discoveries of the scientist.
The project must be uploaded to “SafeAssign” through E4 to monitor for plagiarism. You will use the
library for research and will need access to a computer and a printer.
Option #2 Biomolecule Themed Facebook Page (pg. 4-5) – You will design and create a Facebook page for
a specified molecule (or group of molecules, i.e. enzymes) from one of the four biomolecules (EX
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Carbohydrates – Sucrose). The format of the Facebook page will indicate its structure and the various
functions the molecule plays in cells and the body, making deeper connections to the activities within
cells and the entire body. You will use the library for research and will need access to a computer and
a printer.
Option #3 Cell Video Tutorial (pg. 6-7) – You will produce a video tutorial to review prokaryote and
eukaryotic cells. Students are to explain and describe the components of eukaryotic cells, including
important organelles and the differences between the various types of cells in a short 5 to 10 minute
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video. You can design the video tutorial with whatever materials you choose. You must create a
digital video for this project; videos can be filmed using a cell phone, but must be sent to Mrs. Flores
via email. You will need access to a computer. Groups can be composed of no more than 3 members
and all members must actively participate in the production process.
Individualized rubrics for the projects listed must be printed from www.brookbiology.com.
Be sure to print yours today to begin working!
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1st Cycle Biology Grading Rubric: Option #1 - Newsletter
Due Date: October 10th
Prompt: The purpose of this project is to alternatively assess your learning and provide real-world applications
relating to the instructional objectives for the first grading cycle. Students will discuss a key scientist whose research
impacts our knowledge of biology and design an informational newsletter (1 page) using Microsoft Publisher about
the scientists. A template of the newsletter has been loaded on the class website for your reference. The project
must be emailed to Mrs. Flores (sflores@ccisd.net) and uploaded to “SafeAssign” through E4 to monitor for
plagiarism by the deadline. This project will count as a major grade. Read each section of the rubric carefully to
receive full credit. Late projects will be reduced by 10 points for each day late, beginning October 10th any time after
your class period. If you have any questions, please ask! Good luck!
You will draw for one of the following:
-
Anton van Leeuwenhoek (Protists)
-
J. Craig Venter (Gene Sequencing)
-
Barbara McClintock (Genetics)
-
Jan Ingenhousz (Photosynthesis)
-
Charles Darwin (Evolution)
-
Linus Pauling (Biochemistry)
-
Daniel Nathans & Hamilton O. Smith (restriction
-
Lynn Margulis (Organelles)
endonuclease)
-
Matthias Schleiden (Plant cells)
-
David Baltimore (Reverse transcriptase)
-
Robert Brown (Nucleus)
-
Ernest Everett Just (Cells)
-
Robert Hooke (Cells)
-
Erwin Chargaff (Biochemistry)
-
Robert Koch (Bacteria)
-
Francis Crick & James Watson (DNA)
-
Rosalind Franklin (DNA)
-
Frederick Sanger (Genetic Code)
-
Rudolf Vichow (Cell theory)
-
George Beadle & Edward Lawrie Tatum
-
Theodor Schwann (Animal cells)
(Enzymes)
-
Thomas Hunt Morgan (Genes)
-
Gregor Mendel (Father of Genetics)
Pts
Description
Received
Comments
Sources You are to use at least 6 sources from CCISD’s online resources.
Research
6
Students may NOT cite information posted on Wikipedia, Wiki-answers,
Google, Ask.com, and/or Yahoo! Answers or other, non-academic
website.
Works Cited - You will identify sources within a works cited page on a
4
separate sheet of paper attached to the rubric; all information presented
in the newsletter needs to be cited. Students may use the website Son
2
of Citation Machine, EasyBib, or another site to format the works cited.
The list should be formatted according to MLA guidelines such as:

Double Spaced; alphabetized; hanging indention, etc.
For more information, visit the Clear Brook librarian or access the Purdue
Online Writing Lab @ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/.
5
The newsletter will be written in complete sentences and be free of
grammatical errors. The presentation will show time and effort.
You will write a short article about the scientist(s) whose inventions
and/or discoveries contributed to biology.
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
Include background information
o Childhood, education, etc.

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Important and major discoveries, achievements
Students will identify and define new and useful vocabulary words (at
least 5; they need not be scientific) in one section of the newsletter.
Design
Students will create a secondary article relating somehow the first
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articles topic of discussion. Both articles should improve the readers’
knowledge of biology and its various facets.
At least 2 pictures and/or graphics should be added to the newsletter;
they must be hyperlinked to identify the website of origin.

To hyperlink a picture:
1. Highlight the picture
4
2. Right click
3. Click “hyperlink…”
4. Paste the website address in the address bar
5. Press “ok”

No credit will be awarded without the website hyperlink.
50
Total
General Comments
3
1st Cycle Biology Grading Rubric: Option #2 - Biomolecule Themed Facebook Page
Due Date: October 10th
Prompt: The purpose of this project is to alternatively assess your learning and provide
real-world applications relating to the instructional objectives for the first grading cycle.
You will design and create a Facebook page for a specified molecule (or group of
molecules, i.e. enzymes) from one of the four biomolecules (EX Carbohydrates – Sucrose).
The format of the Facebook page will indicate its structure and the various functions
the molecule plays in cells and the body, making deeper connections to the activities
within cells and the entire body. You will use the library for research and will need
access to a computer and a printer. A template for the Facebook page has been loaded
on the class website for your reference. The project must be emailed to Mrs. Flores (sflores@ccisd.net). This project will count
as a major grade. Read each section of the rubric carefully to receive full credit. Late projects will be reduced by 10 points for
each day late, beginning October 10th any time after your class period. If you have any questions, please ask! Good luck!
Image
You will draw for one of the following molecules from the four types of biomolecules:
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Nucleic acids
Proteins
-
Cellulose
-
Cholesterol
-
DNA
-
Actin
-
Disaccharide
-
Phospholipid
-
RNA
-
Androgens
-
Fructose
-
Saturated Fat
-
Collagen
-
Glucose
-
Unsaturated Fat
-
Enzyme
-
Glycogen
-
Wax
-
Estrogen
-
Lactose
-
Fibrin
-
Monosaccharide
-
Insulin
-
Polysaccharide
-
Keratin
-
Starch
-
Progesterone
-
Sucrose
Description
Pts
Received
Comments
Sources You are to use at least 6 sources from CCISD’s online resources.
Research
6
Students may NOT cite information posted on Wikipedia, Wiki-answers,
Google, Ask.com, and/or Yahoo! Answers or other, non-academic website.
Works Cited - You will identify sources within a works cited page on a separate
4
sheet of paper attached to the rubric; all information presented on the page
needs to be cited.
4
Students may use the website Son of Citation Machine, EasyBib, or another site
to format the works cited. The list should be formatted according to MLA
guidelines such as:

Double Spaced; alphabetized; hanging indention, etc.
For more information, visit the Clear Brook librarian or access the Purdue
Online Writing Lab @ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/.

Name of the molecule at the top of your poster

1 Profile Picture, hyperlinked to identify the website of origin.

To hyperlink a picture:
Basics
1. Highlight the picture
2. Right click
5
3. Click “hyperlink…”
4. Paste the website address in the address bar
The Wall
5. Press “ok”

No credit will be awarded without the website hyperlink.

Write at least 5 “status updates” on “The Wall” of your biomolecule. These
should be significant and relate to the various functions of the biomolecule.
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
Include at least 4 comments related to the status updates. The comments
can be from your biomolecule or from someone associated with your
Friends
biomolecule.

Friends Corner

5 hyperlinked pictures of “people” that are friends with your biomolecule

To hyperlink a picture:
6. Highlight the picture
7. Right click
5
8. Click “hyperlink…”
9. Paste the website address in the address bar
Ads
Likes
10. Press “ok”
5
10

No credit will be awarded without the website hyperlink.

List at least 5 other pages that your biomolecule would “Like”.

List two ads that relate to your biomolecule page.

Include the “title” of the company, an image or picture relating to the
“company” and a catching phrase explaining the product or service.
50
Total
General Comments
5
6
Biology Grading Rubric: 1st Cycle Option #3 - Video Tutorial
Due Date: October 10th
Prompt: The purpose of this project is to alternatively assess your learning and provide real-world applications
relating to the instructional objectives for the first grading cycle. Students will produce a video tutorial to review
prokaryote and eukaryotic cells. Students are to explain and describe the components of cells, the differences
between the various types of cells, as well as important organelles in a short 5 to 10 minute video. Groups can be
composed of no more than 3-4 members and all members must actively participate in the production process. This
project will count as a major grade. Read each section of the rubric carefully to receive full credit. The project must
be emailed to Mrs. Flores (sflores@ccisd.net) by the deadline. Late projects will be reduced by 10 points for each day
late, beginning October 10th any time after your class period. If you have any questions, please ask! Good luck!
Pts
Description
Receive
d
Comments
Sources You are to use at least 6 sources from CCISD’s online resources.
6
Students may NOT cite information posted on Wikipedia, Wiki-answers,
Google, Ask.com, and/or Yahoo! Answers or other, non-academic
website.
Works Cited - You will identify sources within a works cited page on a
separate sheet of paper attached to the rubric; all information presented
Research
in the newsletter needs to be cited.
Students may use the website Son of Citation Machine, EasyBib, or
4
another site to format the works cited. The list should be formatted
according to MLA guidelines such as:

Double Spaced; alphabetized; hanging indention, etc.
For more information, visit the Clear Brook librarian or access the Purdue
Online Writing Lab @
Introduction
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/.
Introduction - The students will explain the history of cell theory and the
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similarities/differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes in the
introduction segment of the tutorial.
7
Organelles - The students will describe the following in a segment titled
“Organelles and Processes”.
Organelles
Students are to identify organelles and the important processes relating
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to them. Students MUST explain the following:

Chloroplasts

Mitochondria

Nucleus

Plasma Membrane

Ribosome
Visuals
Visuals - The student tutors will include visual diagrams, posters,
5
drawings, and/or models that explain the concepts in the tutorial. The
visuals must be large enough to be seen in the video and useful to the
discussion.
Performance - Script will be clearly performed and confidently presented
by all group members.
Performance
5
All participants will display mastery of topic through spoken expression
and proper preparation (a history of practice on the video tutorial).
Overall, the student will understand the difference between prokaryotic
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cells and eukaryotic cells and show knowledge of the processes that
occur within eukaryotic cells. The explanation should be informative,
but creative.
50
Total
Peer Evaluations: Avg ______
General Comments
8
The list below is to be used for assignment purposes – students will identify the project they want, and, if they choose
option #1or #2, they will draw a number to match with their topic.
1. Anton van Leeuwenhoek (Protists)
2. Barbara McClintock (Genetics)
-
Carbohydrate
3. Charles Darwin (Evolution)
1. Cellulose
4. Daniel Nathans & Hamilton O. Smith (restriction
2. Disaccharide
endonuclease)
3. Fructose
5. David Baltimore (Reverse transcriptase)
4. Glucose
6. Ernest Everett Just (Cells)
5. Glycogen
7. Erwin Chargaff (Biochemistry)
6. Lactose
8. Francis Crick & James Watson (DNA)
7. Maltose
9. Frederick Sanger (Genetic Code)
8. Monosaccharide
10. George Beadle & Edward Lawrie Tatum
9. Polysaccharide
(Enzymes)
10. Starch
11. Gregor Mendel (Father of Genetics)
12. J. Craig Venter (Gene Sequencing)
11. Sucrose
-
Lipid
13. Jan Ingenhousz (Photosynthesis)
12. Cholesterol
14. Linus Pauling (Biochemistry)
13. Phospholipid
15. Lynn Margulis (Organelles)
14. Saturated Fat
16. Matthias Schleiden (Plant cells)
15. Unsaturated Fat
17. Robert Brown (Nucleus)
16. Wax
18. Robert Hooke (Cells)
-
Nucleic acid
19. Robert Koch (Bacteria)
17. DNA
20. Rosalind Franklin (DNA)
18. RNA
21. Rudolf Vichow (Cell theory)
-
Protein
22. Theodor Schwann (Animal cells)
19. Actin
23. Thomas Hunt Morgan (Genes)
20. Androgens
21. Collagen
22. Enzyme
23. Estrogen
24. Fibrin
25. Insulin
26. Keratin
27. Progesterone
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