HARVESTCHRISTIANACADEMY
Title
UNIT 1:
The Nature of
Science
Time
4 weeks
First Semester
High School Biology Curriculum Map
2 weeks
First Semester
UNIT 2:
Biochemistry
Building Molecular Models
Organic Compound Poster
Carbohydrate, Lipid, Protein,
and Nucleic Acid Labs
pH Lab
Big Idea
Explain how the power
of observation has
driven scientific
advancement
throughout history, and
use the scientific
method to think
critically about the
world.
Describe the building
blocks and functions of
the four organic
compounds found in
living things.
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5 weeks
UNIT 3: The
Cell and all its
Processes
First Semester
Performance Task
Nature Observations
Ruler Drop Lab Design
Reading Graphs
Microscope Mystery
Forensics Lab Analysis
Cell City Project
Cellular Transport Video
linked with Webquest.
Venn Diagram differences
between prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells.
ATP Concept Map
Photosynthesis and Cellular
Respiration Labs
Understand why the
cell is called the basic
unit of life. Use the
knowledge of cellular
structure and function
to describe how the
processes of
photosynthesis and
cellular respiration
govern organism’s
energy input/output.
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Essential Questions
What are the limitations to
science, and how should that
effect scientific discovery?
What are the steps of the
scientific method and how does
that relate to critical thinking?
What are the six characteristics of
life?
What are the building blocks and
functions of the four organic
compounds found in living
things?
How do enzymes mediate
chemical reactions?
In what ways is water important
to living things?
Can you describe similarities and
differences between prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells?
What are the functions the major
organelles in a eukaryotic cell?
How is energy important to living
things?
Core Text
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Biology Junction.com
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Biology Junction.com
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Biology Junction.com
2 weeks
2 weeks
UNIT 5a:
Protein
Synthesis and
Gene
Mutations
3 weeks
UNIT 5b:
Genetics and
Biotechnology
UNIT 6: Micro
organisms
(Viruses,
Bacteria, and
Protists)
2 weeks
First Semester
First Semester
First Semester
Second Semester
UNIT 4:
The Cell Cycle
Mitosis and Meiosis Lab
Concept Map of Cell
Division
Mitosis and Meiosis Flip
Book
Short trailer on Mitosis and
Meiosis
DNA/RNA comparison WS
DNA models with protein
synthesis Lab
Who ate the cheese? DNA
activity
Codon Bingo
Mutations Stage Project
Creating Genetic Problems
Dragon Genetics Lab
Baby Face Genetics Lab
Monstrous Mutations
Murder at Termond Estates
MRSA and other resistance
news report
“Wanted” poster
Recreating Pasteur’s
Experiment
Virus and Bacteria models
Bacteria vs. Virus skits
Understand the cell
cycle of living things
and how it is necessary
for the continuation of
species. Respect the
complexity of cell
division in higher order
creatures.
Examine the process of
protein synthesis and
what happens when the
processes of
replication,
transcription, and
translation go awry.
Understand how
mutations lead to
natural selection.
Explore how traits are
passed on from parents
to offspring and
understand Mendel’s
Laws of genetics.
Examine the
biotechnology is
transforming the likes
of the food industry to
the fashion industry.
Describe the
differences between
microorganisms and
where they live, how
they function, and what
diseases they cause.
Understand the benefits
to microorganisms and
their use in many
industries.
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How do cells grow, divide, and
make new cells?
What is the importance of mitosis
and meiosis, and what is the
difference between the two?
Why is protein synthesis essential
for every living thing?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
How does DNA function as the
basic set of instructions for all
living things?
How does protein synthesis affect
aging, mutation, and heredity?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Why do living things not look the
same?
How do someone’s genes affect
their offspring?
What kinds of biotechnology are
being used today and how does
this affect your life?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Why are microorganisms so
abundant, diverse, and successful
in survival?
What are the major differences
between virus’, bacteria, and
protists?
What are some benefits to
microorganisms?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Biology Junction.com
Biology Junction.com
Biology Junction.com
Biology Junction.com
3 weeks
UNIT 8a:
Introduction to
Animals
1 week
Second Semester
Second Semester
UNIT 7: Plants
and Fungi
3 week
Second Semester
UNIT 8b:
Invertebrates
Fungi Crossword
Koch’s postulates Lab
Dissection of a mushroom
Fungi and allergies
connection journal
Seed germination inquire lab
Flower dissection
Seed identification and
dissection
Angiosperm life cycle
coloring
Plant kingdom survey
Survey common
Illinois plants and fungi
and how they
contribute the
ecosystem. Determine
the importance of
breeding plants and
introducing non-native
plants to the ecosystem.
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Symbiosis WS
Symmetrical or
Nonsymmetrical game
Build a bug lab
Vertebrate vs. Invertebrate
Animalia kingdom survey
Compare the functions
and structures of
animals, and how we
classify animals based
on these structures and
functions.
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Sponge and cnidarian
compare and contrast
Flatworms and roundworms
compare and contrast
Life cycle of tapeworm poster
Mollusk and annelid coloring
Arthropod and insect
compare and contrast
Insect collection lab
Echinoderms and chordates
compare and contrast
Dissections: planarian,
earthworm, clam,
grasshopper, starfish, crayfish
Animalia kingdom survey
Understand how the
immense diversity of
invertebrates plays a
role in sustaining the
world. Compare and
contrast structures and
behaviors of
invertebrates and how
these are used in
classifying them.
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What is the importance of plants
and fungi in our lives?
Why are plants and fungi so
abundant, diverse, and successful
in survival?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
What are the similarities and
differences among animals?
What is the similarities and
differences among vertebrates and
invertebrates? Which is most
abundant on Earth?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Why are invertebrates so diverse,
successful, and abundant?
What are the key features
invertebrates possess?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Biology Junction.com
Biology Junction.com
Biology Junction.com
3 week
Second Semester
UNIT 8c:
Vertebrates
2 week
Second Semester
UNIT 9:
Evolution vs.
Creationism
Fish and Amphibian coloring
Bird and Reptile coloring
Mammal coloring
Dissections: Perch, shark
(maybe), frog, pig
Animals around the world
classification
Animalia kingdom survey
Compare and contrast
the structures and
behaviors of vertebrates
and how these are used
to classify them.
Investigate the claims
of the evolution of
vertebrates.
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Creation and Evolution
survey questions
Creationism or Evolution
Outline
Mythbusters activity
Creationist/Evolutionist for a
day questions
Creationism and Evolution
Debate
Research both sides of
the evolution and
creationism debate to
understand how the
interpretation of
evidence can lead to
two very different
theories. Push science
and logic limits to see
which underlying
worldview holds up to
scrutiny.
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Why does the spinal cord allow
diversity in the form and function
of vertebrates?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Biology Junction.com
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How do species change over
time?
What evidence does an
evolutionist and a creationist use
to support his/her theory?
What problems with the theory of
evolution make it a weak
explanation of how life began?
Why can the Bible be a reliable
source for explaining how life
began?
Biology by Thomas
E. Porch and Brad R.
Batdorf
Biology Junction.com