COURSE OUTCOMES
LIFE SCIENCE-12/13
Course A
(June 2011)
The intent and purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic knowledge of
major topics in biology – the study of living things. This course is designed to meet the
Science Program Outcomes and to provide students with the foundations of sound
biological knowledge and skills in scientific inquiry to prepare them for future success in
Biology, and also to guide them in making connections between the sciences of biology,
chemistry and physics.
Each unit will emphasize scientific inquiry culminating in an optional selective unit (S01 –
Science Fair). Hands-on activities and labs are included in every unit, incorporating
review of laboratory safety and use of basic laboratory equipment and procedures, as well
as instruction in use of new equipment. Students will also practice making accurate
measurements with graduated cylinders, balances, thermometers and metric rulers.
Science 12/13 is divided into two courses: Life Science (Course A) and Earth Science
(Course B). Neither is a prerequisite of the other and either can be taught to a combined
12/13 class. There are no other prerequisites for Life Science, although it is recommended
that students have at least an 11-year-old reading level. There are ten essential units and
one selective unit.
The normal pace for this course leads to mastery of ten essential units during the year.
This course is designed to use 5 class periods per week. A period is a minimum of 45
minutes in length.
Life Science is a companion to the Earth Science course and is related to the success
orientations, competencies and knowledge as noted in the Science Program Outcomes.
An outline of the essential and selective units for Life Science is as follows:
Essential Units:
E01 - Ecology and the Environment
- Chapter 1. Populations and Communities
- Chapter 2. Ecosystems and Biomes
- Chapter 3. Resources and Living Things
E02 - Cells as the Basis of Life
- Chapter 1. Introduction to Cells
- Chapter 2. Cell Processes and Energy
E03 - Genetics and Heredity
- Chapter 3. Genetics: The Science of Heredity
- Chapter 4. DNA: The Code of Life
- Chapter 5. Human Genetics and Genetic Technology
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E04 - The Diversity of Life
- Chapter 1. Introduction to Living Things
- Chapter 2. Viruses, Bacteria, Protists and Fungi
E05 - Plants and Animals
- Chapter 3. Plants
- Chapter 4. Introduction to Animals
E06 - Animal Behavior
- Chapter 5. Getting Around
- Chapter 6. Obtaining Energy
- Chapter 7. Animal Reproduction and Behavior
E07- Human Body Systems I
- Chapter 1. The Human Body
- Chapter 2. Bones, Muscles, and Skin
E08 - Human Body Systems II
- Chapter 3. Digestion
- Chapter 5. Circulation
E09 - Human Body Systems III
- Chapter 4. Respiration and Excretion
- Chapter 6. Fighting Disease
E10 - Human Body Systems IV
- Chapter 7. The Nervous System
- Chapter 8. The Endocrine System and Reproduction
Selective Units:
S01 - Science Fair
Additional guidelines for the science fair, a general science rubric and a teacher/ student
collaborative rubric which can be adapted to suit each unit are included in the appendix.
*Outcomes:
Each unit is divided into “Essential Outcomes” which must be assessed for mastery and
“Introduced and Practiced Outcomes” which must be taught or reviewed but not
necessarily mastered. More challenging “Introduced” outcomes may be considered for
‘A’ level mastery. Suggested rubrics follow each unit to assist the teacher in assessing
mastery at a B-level and A-level.
**Selective - Science Fair/ Independent Research:
It is highly recommended that students simultaneously engage in selective unit 01Science
Fair Project as a class or multi-class project. S01 should be opened simultaneously with
an essential unit and remain open while students are conducting their investigation
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culminating in a classroom or school presentation. This project could be used in a science
fair setting at the classroom or school-wide level.
***Suggested Resources:
These are listed at the end of each unit and include print material and laboratory materials
which should be accessible to all teachers, but individual schools may have additional
materials available.
****Technology Resources:
These resources include suggested websites and media and the internet site provided by
the publisher. Individual schools may have other technology resources available for use
by the teacher.
*****Suggested Assessment Tools and Strategies:
These are suggestions of tools or strategies teachers may use for teaching and assessing
unit outcomes and they are listed at the end of each unit. In addition, a lab report
assessment form is located in the appendix for assessing lab reports required in units E05
and E08. Teachers may use other resources at their discretion.
The normal pace for this course leads to mastery of ten essential units during the year.
This course is designed to use five 45-minute class periods per week. To successfully
complete this course, the student should be able to read at a 10-year-old level.
The main textbooks identified for use in the Life Science course are:
The Pearson Interactive Science series (2011):
 Ecology and the Environment
 The Diversity of Life
 Cells and Heredity
 Human Body Systems
The ancillary Life Science materials identified for use in this course are:
 Ecology and the Environment Teacher’s Edition and Resource All-in-One
 The Diversity of Life Teacher’s Edition and Resource All-in-One
 Cells and Heredity Teacher’s Edition and Resource All-in-One
 Human Body Systems Teacher’s Edition and Resource All-in-One
All teachers’ editions include access to online interactive lessons, Untamed Science
videos, LabZone® teacher manual and science kit materials with all supporting black-line
masters and customizable resources. Note that online labs can be modified by the teacher
using word processing technology.
 Interactive program guide
 Progress monitoring Assessments
 ELL Handbook
 Reading Strategies Handbook
 Math Skill and Problem Solving Activities
Teacher’s Lab Resource for each unit includes
 Scenario-based investigations
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


Chapter Activities and Projects
Interdisciplinary Activities
Inquiry Skill Activities
Lab Equipment Kit
A subscription to MyScienceOnline.com with student access to:
 My Science Coach (extra practice with specific concepts)
 My Reading Web (reading selections targeted to specific reading levels)
 Interactive Art (animations)
 Planet Diary (engaging facts, biographies and other information related to each
unit)
 Untamed Science (online video blogs by young scientists)
 Virtual Lab (virtual labs which allow student manipulation of variables)
…and teacher access
 Preferences Navigator to help teacher customize lesson plans
 Online Classroom Management to access teacher edition, set up a class, assign
homework, receive reports, and track student progress
***Please note that these materials are intended to be fully integrated with the
student text and the teacher is encouraged to take full advantage of these excellent
resources. They will only be listed once in the course statement, not under every
unit.
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