Biology Class
Unit 3: Molecules and Cell Functions
Unit Info
Unit Segment 1: Observe Phenomena,
Label, and Define what we observe:
● Purpose: To get us thinking, asking important
questions, learning all necessary vocabulary
● Activities: Observations sheet, Vocab annotations,
self-documentation
● Assess: Inquiry and Engagement
● Is there any part of my life that this connects to?
● Am I answering the level 1 “what” questions?
● Am I beginning to ask level 2 “how” and 3 “why” questions?
Unit Segment 2: Observe Models and
Artifacts that already try to explain the
phenomena:
● Purpose: To give us tools so we can understand
more about the phenomena
● Activities: Notes outline, model critique, slide deck
questions
● Assess: Model/Artifacts critique, Notes
organization
● Which model/artifact should I spend more time observing?
● Do I need to look back any vocab?
● What are the most important questions I still need to ask?
Unit Segment 3: Discussing and Making
Conclusions about what we know so far:
● Purpose: To talk, gather evidence, and make
conclusions about what we have learned so far
● Activities: Polleverywhere.com, Class
Conclusions, Conclusion Creation
● Assess: Conclusion based on evidence
● Are my smaller conversations on task and do they push all
team members to think critically?
● Does my conclusion make sense based on the evidence that
we have gathered?
Unit Segment 4: Self-assess how ready you
are to do a performance task:
● Purpose: To reflect on your learning and choose
your next steps
● Activities: Self-grade observations, notes, and
conclusions, worksheets, analyze skill tracker,
determine performance task
● Assess: Self-assessment (based on strength of
evidence)
● Do I feel prepared to perform a task now?
● Based on what I know about myself, which task is most
appropriate?
Unit Segment 5: Perform a performance
task and self-assess it:
● Purpose: To demonstrate your mastery of this
unit’s skills and content
● Activities: Performance task, Self-assessment
rubric and skill tracker, Edit performance
task/Extension task
● Assess: Performance Task and self-assessment
● Did I provide evidence of mastery with my performance?
● Am I keeping track of my mastery and setting goals for the
future?
This Unit’s Phenomena to observe
1. Hair (and many other things) behaves differently
when wet
2. You can’t wash oil off your hands with just water!
3. Cells can take in vinegar, salt, and water when in a
concentrated environment
Essential Questions
What is our world made of?
How can I understand the how things really work if
they are too small for me to see?
How will my knowledge of molecules help me to
control the world around me?
How do living things like cells use different properties
of molecules to keep living?
This Unit’s Models:
-3D Molecules and videos
-Diffusion videos
-Cell membrane images and videos
Interactive Molecules!
Content Artifacts and :
● The world is made of VERY tiny things called elements
● Elements come together to form molecules
○ Examples of molecules that life uses: water, sugar,