HANDOUTS
Curriculum Map
Course Title: Biology
Writers: Mark Guren
TIMEFRAME
TOPIC/ UNIT
CONCEPTS
ESSENTIAL OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITIES
1 week
Macromolecules
Enzymes are
proteins that catalyze
biochemical
reactions without
altering the chemical
equilibrium.
Interpret a graph that depicts
enzyme-mediated vs. nonenzyme mediated reactions.
Lab Worksheets
Lab: Identifying organic
compounds in foods
The activities of
enzymes depend on
the temperature,
ionic conditions, and
the pH of the
surroundings.
Polysaccharides,
nucleic acids,
proteins, and lipids
are macromolecules
in cells and
organisms that are
synthesized from
smaller and simpler
molecules.
Predict how changes in
various
environmental
conditions (e.g. temperature,
pH, substrate concentration,
and ionic conditions) will
affect an enzymatic reaction.
Model the synthesis of
polymers from monomers.
Recognize that proteins
differ
in
number
and
sequence of amino acids.
Lab Grading Rubric
Writing Rubric
Lab:
Denaturation
Proteins
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Lab: Enzymes
Student Evaluation
(student reflection
on the task and
product)
Worksheets
of
Lab: Sugars and Starches
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Proteins differ from
one another in the
number and
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sequence of amino
acids.
1 week
Cellular
Structures
Cells are enclosed
within semipermeable
membranes that
regulate their
interactions with their
surroundings.
Prokaryotic cells,
eukaryotic cells
(including those from
plants and animals),
and viruses differ
from complexity and
general structure.
Endoplasmic
reticulum and Golgi
apparatus play a
major role in the
secretion of proteins.
1 week
Cellular
Energetics
Usable energy is
captured by
chloroplasts and is
stored through the
synthesis of sugar
from carbon dioxide.
The stored chemical
energy in glucose is
broken down by
Explain the structure and
function of cell membrane.
Distinguish between passive
and active transport along
concentration gradients.
Compare and contrast
prokaryotic cells and
eukaryotic cells.
Analyze the structural
differences between viruses
and cells.
Explain the role of ER, Golgi
apparatus, and secretory
vesicles, in protein synthesis
and transport.
Lab Worksheets
Lab: Focusing Microscope
Lab Grading Rubric
Modeling Cells: Surface
Area to Volume
Writing Rubric
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Student Evaluation
(student reflection
on the task and
product)
Lab: Diffusion
Lab: Osmosis
Alternate Lab: Diffusion
through a Dialysis Tubing
Worksheets
Project: The Cell City
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Differentiate between the
functions of smooth ER and
rough ER.
Explain how the structure of
the chloroplast relates to its
function.
Observe a plant cell under a
microscope and identify
chloroplasts.
Differentiate between the
products and the reactants
Lab Worksheets
Lab: Elodea
Lab Grading Rubric
Lab: Measuring the Effect
of Light Intensity on
Photosynthesis
Writing Rubric
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Worksheets
Student Evaluation
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mitochondria, in the
presence of oxygen,
to carbon dioxide.
of light reactions and light
independent reactions.
Trace the reactant
molecules as they go
through the process of
photosynthesis.
(student reflection
on the task and
product)
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Predict the effects of varying
intensities of light on the rate
of photosynthesis.
Explain how the structure of
mitochondrion relates to its
function.
Identify the products and
reactants of cell respiration.
Trace the reactant
molecules as they go
through the process of
cellular respiration.
3 weeks
The Central
Dogma and
DNA Tecnology
The central dogma of
molecular biology
outline the flow of
information from
transcription of
ribonucleic acid
(RNA) in the nucleus
to translation of
proteins on
ribosomes in the
cytoplasm.
The ribosomes
synthesize proteins
using tRNA to
Recognize the roles of DNA,
RNA, and ribosomes in
making proteins.
Summarize how proteins are
formed by the process of
transcription in the nucleus
and translation in the
cytoplasm.
Predict the primary structure
(amino acid sequence) of
proteins by using the genetic
code table.
Lab Worksheets
Making Models
Lab Grading Rubric
Lab: Extracting DNA
Writing Rubric
Research report on one of
the people involved in the
discovery of the structure
and function of DNA
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Student Evaluation
(student reflection
on the task and
product)
Worksheets
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translate genetic
information in mRNA.
The genetic coding
rules are used to
predict the sequence
of amino acids from
the sequence of
codons in mRNA.
Mutations in the DNA
sequence of a gene
may or may not
affect the expression
of the gene or the
sequence of amino
acids in the encoded
protein.
The base-pairing
rules explain precise
copying of DNA
during
semiconservative
replication and
transcription of
information from
DNA into mRNA.
Mutations are
constantly being
generated in a gene
pool.
Differentiate between the
mRNA processing (introns
and exons) on prokaryotes
and eukaryotes.
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Differentiate between the
impact of somatic cell
mutations (cancer vs.
genetic anomalies)
Summarize the steps of
semiconservative DNA
replication.
Explain how additions,
deletions, and substitutions
result in mutations in a gene
pool.
Summarize how proteins are
formed by the processes of
transcription in the nucleus
and translation in the
cytoplasm.
Model the recombinant DNA
process (genetic
engineering).
Identify practical applications
of genetic engineering in
agriculture and medicine.
Specialization of cells
in multicellular
organism is due to
different patterns of
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gene expression
rather than to
differences of the
genes themselves.
Biotechnology is
used to produce
novel biomedical and
agricultural products.
END OF 1ST SIX WEEKS - DISTRICT ASSESSMENT 1
1 WEEK
Gamete
Only the reproductive
Formation cells undergo meiosis.
and
Fertilization is the
Fertilization
union of male and
female gametes. Half
of the chromosomes
in an individual comes
from the female, and
the other half comes
from the female.
The sex
chromosomes (X and
Y chromosomes)
determine an
individual’s sex.
Identify the cells that undergo
meiosis.
Writing Rubric
Karyotyping
Worksheets
Differentiate between haploid
and diploid cells.
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Distinguish between
chromosomes, DNA, and
genes.
Student Evaluation
(student reflection on
the task and product)
Recognize that without
meiosis fertilization would
produce zygotes that have
twice the normal
chromosome number.
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Determine gender based on
the combination of sex
chromosomes.
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1 WEEK
Meiosis
and
Mendel’s
Law
Chromosomes
separate and
segregate randomly
during meiosis to
produce gametes
containing one
chromosome of each
type.
Random chromosome
segregation explains
the probability that a
particular allele will be
in a gamete.
Mendel’s Law of
Segregation
Mendel’s Law of
Independent
Assortment
Model the process of meiosis.
Lab Worksheets
Lab: Observing Meiosis
Describe how the process of
meiosis can lead to variation
through segregation and
crossing over.
Lab Grading Rubric
Alternate Lab: Modeling
Meiosis
Predict the combination of
alleles in the formation of
gametes.
Distinguish between
segregation and independent
assortment.
Apply the laws of dominance
and recessiveness to predict
the phenotype given the
genotype.
Writing Rubric
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Student Evaluation
(student reflection on
the task and product)
Video: Meiosis,
Independent assortment
and Segregation
Worksheets
Chapter Test
Unit Test
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Course Title:
Writers:
TIMEFRAME
TOPIC/ UNIT
CONCEPTS
ESSENTIAL OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITIES
1 week
Probability
and
Inheritance
The genetic makeup
of an individual results
from the random
combination of alleles
from both parents.
Predict the possible
combinations of alleles in the
formation of a zygote.
Lab Worksheets
Lab: Interpreting
Information in a Pedigree
The genotypes of the
parents and the mode
of inheritance can
predict the probable
outcome of
phenotypes in a
genetic cross.
The modes of
inheritance
1 week
Natural
Selective
Natural selection acts
on the phenotype
rather than the
genotypeof an
organism.
Mutations within a
species increases the
likelihood that at least
some members of
species will survive
under changed
Predict the phenotypic and
genotypic ratio using a
Punnett square.
Lab Grading Rubric
Writing Rubric
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Use the laws of dominance,
recessiveness, incomplete
dominance, autosomal, and
x-linked inheritance to predict
the outcome of a genetic
cross.
Student Evaluation
(student reflection on
the task and product)
Explain the genetic bases of
several human disorders.
Unit Test
Explain how diversity among
species increases the chance
of survival during
environmental changes.
Lab Worksheets
Lab Grading Rubric
Model how natural selection
determines differential
survival of groups of
organisms.
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Provide examples of how
variation within a species
Solving Heredity Problems
Investigating Inherited
Traits
Karyotype
Chapter Test
Writing Rubric
Lab: Modeling Camouflage
and Natural Selection
Or
Lab: Modeling Natural
Selection
Worksheets
Student Evaluation
(student reflection on
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environmental
conditions
promote survival during
environmental changes.
Natural selection
determines the
differential survival of
groups of organisms.
Explain why traits cannot be
eliminated from a population
by selective breeding.
A great diversity of
species increases the
chance that at least
some organism
survive major
changes in the
environment.
1 week
Population
Genetics
Alleles that are lethal
in a homozygous
individual may be
carried in a
heterozygote and thus
maintained in a agene
pool.
The Hardy-Weinberg
theorem
the task and product)
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Determine whether mutations
are beneficial, neutral or
harmful depending on the
environmental conditions.
Analyze conditions that may
cause changes in a gene
pool.
Predict the survival outcome
of individuals when a
recessive lethal allele is
present in the gene pool.
Explain how unexpressed
genes can be passed on to
offspring by heterozygous
carriers and thus maintained
in a gene pool.
Identify the conditions for
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
Evaluate whether HardyWeinberg conditions can
exist in a real environment.
Lab Worksheets
Lab Grading Rubric
Writing Rubric
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Lab: Allelic frequencies and
Sickle cell anemia
Worksheets
Case studies
Student Evaluation
(student reflection on
the task and product)
Chapter Test
Unit Test
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1 week
Mechanisms
for
Evolution
Reproductive or
geographic isolation
affect speciation.
Genetic drift
Identify the factors that lead
to genetic drift.
Hypothesize how genetic drift
affects the diversity of a
population of organisms.
Describe the factors that lead
to isolation among members
of a species.
Analyze how reproductive
and geographic isolation
affect speciation.
TIMEFRAME
TOPIC/ UNIT
CONCEPTS
1 week
Evidence
for
Evolution
The fossil record can
show biological
diversity, episodic
speciation, and mass
extinction.
ESSENTIAL OUTCOMES
Interpret a fossil record to
identify periods of diversity,
speciation, and mass
extinction.
Infer from a fossil record
periods
of
rapid
environmental changes.
Writing Rubric
Writing Project: Speciation
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Worksheets
Student Evaluation
(student reflection on
the task and product)
Chapter Test
Unit Test
ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITIES
Lab Worksheets
Lab: Analyzing Fossil Molds
Lab Grading Rubric
Alternate Lab: Analyzing
Blood Serum to Determine
Evolutionary Relationships
Writing Rubric
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Student Evaluation
(student reflection on
the task and product)
Analyzing amino acid
sequence
Worksheets
Chapter Test
Unit Test
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END OF 2ND SIX WEEKS - SECOND DISTRICT ASSESSMENT
TIMEFRAME
TOPIC/ UNIT
1 WEEK
Gas and Nutrient
Exchange
CONCEPTS
The Circulatory
System,
The Respiratory
System, and
The Excretory
System
ESSENTIAL OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITIES
Summarize the role of
multiple organ systems in
transporting nutrients and
wastes throughout the body.
Lab Worksheets
Lab: The Effect of
Exercise on Heart Rate
Apply the concepts of
osmosis and diffusion to
explain the functions of
organs such as the liver,
kidneys, and lungs, with
special reference to carbon
dioxide, oxygen, and
glucose.
Lab Grading Rubric
Writing Rubric
Virtual Lab: Effect of
Epinephrine on Heart Rate
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Lab: Measuring Lung
Capacity
Student Evaluation
(student reflection
on the task and
product)
Chapter Test
Videos: The Respiratory
System, The Circulatory
System, The Excretory
System
Worksheets
Unit Test
1 week
Electrochemical
Communication
and Response
The Nervous
System
The Endocrine
System
Categorize the sense
organs, identify other body
receptors that make them
aware of their environment ,
and see in ways in which
the body reflexively
responds to an external
stimulus through a reflex
arc.
Explain how the nervous
system interacts with
endocrine glands including
Lab Worksheets
Lab Grading Rubric
Virtual Lab: Calculating
Reaction Time
Writing Rubric
Research Activity: Reflex
Arc Activity
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Lab: Observing Nervous
Responses
Student Evaluation
(student reflection
on the task and
Worksheets
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HANDOUTS
the pituitary and
hypothalamus in regulation
and production of
hormones.
product)
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Explain how an action
potential is generated and
transmitted within the
neuron using the sodiumpotassium pump.
Describe how
neurotransmitters facilitate
communication between
neurons.
Diagram a reflex arc, and
explain the events that
occur during impulse
transmission with relation to
sensory, inter and motor
neurons.
1 week
Feedback
Mechanism
The Nervous
System
The Endocrine
System
Feedback
mechanism
Trace the path of hormones
from their point of origin to
their target site.
Lab Worksheets
Lab Grading Rubric
Lab: Comparing Ovaries
and Testes
Writing Rubric
Video: Feedback
Mechanism
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Lab: Leptin and Endocrine
System
Student Evaluation
(student reflection
on the task and
product)
Worksheets
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Chapter Test
Unit Test
1 week
Infection/Immunity
The Body’s
Defenses/ The
Immune System
Explain how the skin acts as
a physical barrier against
harmful microorganisms and
can be compromised by
cuts and abrasions.
Lab Grading Rubric
Explain how antibodies are
related to antigens.
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Summarize how vaccination
protects people from
infectious diseases.
Identify two typical vaccine
constructs (weakened or
killed pathogens, purified
protein)
Lab Worksheets
Writing Rubric
Student Evaluation
(student reflection
on the task and
product)
Lab: Controlling Bacteria
Growth
Research Report on
Compromised Immune
System
Lab: Detecting Viruses
Research Report on
Viruses and Bacteria
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Review history of vaccine
use and development.
Compare bacteria and
viruses as related to
requirements for growth and
replication.
Analyze defenses against
bacterial and viral infections.
Classify diseases based on
type of pathogen.
Explain how an individual
with a compromised
immune system may be
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more susceptible to
infection.
TIMEFRAME
TOPIC/ UNIT
CONCEPTS
2 Weeks
Ecology
Biodiversity is the sum
total of different kinds
of organisms and is
affected by alterations
of habitats.
Changes in an
ecosystem result from
changes in climate,
human activity,
introduction of
nonnative species, or
changes in population
size.
Fluctuations in
population size in an
ecosystem are
determined by the
relative rates of birth,
immigration,
emigration, and death.
ESSENTIAL OUTCOMES
Recognize that the more
biodiversity in an ecosystem
the greater its stability and
resiliency.
Predict the effects of
decreasing biodiversity in
ecosystem.
Explain how changes in
ecosystems can manifest
themselves in predictable
patterns of climate, seasonal
reproductive cycles,
population cycles, and
migrations.
Provide examples of how
human intervention or the
introduction of new species
may change the balance of
an ecosystem.
Oxygen cycles
through
photosynthesis and
respiration.
Predict fluctuation in the size
of a population by measuring
factors including birth, death,
and migration patterns.
Water, carbon, and
nitrogen cycle
between abiotic
resources and organic
Show examples of increasing,
decreasing or zero population
growth.
ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITIES
Lab Worksheets
Lab: Examining Owl Pellets
Lab Grading Rubric
Lab: Assessing Abiotic
Factors in the Environment
Writing Rubric
Checklist for Clear
Expectations of
Performance
Student Evaluation
(student reflection on
the task and product)
Chapter Test
Unit Test
Making a Food Web
Predicting How Predation
Would Affect a Plant
Species
Research Report: Effects of
Acid Precipitation
Video Lab: Modeling
Ecosystem Change Over
Time
Worksheets
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HANDOUTS
matter in the
ecosystem.
A vital part of an
ecosystem is the
stability of its
producers and
decomposers.
At each link in a food
web some energy is
stored in newly made
structures but much
energy is dissipated
into the environment
as heat.
Differentiate between biotic
and abiotic factors in the
environment.
Interpret the flow of nutrients
such as water, carbon,
oxygen, nitrogen, and
phosphorus through
biogeochemical cycles.
Summarize the energy loss in
a food chain. Students can
show how only 10% on
average of available energy is
passed on to the next trophic
level.
The dissipation of heat
into the environment
may be represented in
an energy pyramid.
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