Braintree High School
Department of Science
Course Name:
Integrated Science
Unit Title:
The Chemistry Of Life
Essential Question: How do chemical elements form organic
molecules that interact to preform the basic functions of life.
Author(s):
Matthew Riordan
School-wide 21st Century Learning Expectations:
Be prepared and ready to learn
Think critically
Solve real-world problems
Communicate effectively
Develop self-discipline, self-respect, and self-reliance
Required Materials:
 Kenneth R. Miller, and Joseph S. Levine. Prentice Hall Biology.
Upper Saddle River N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2004. Print.
Specific Objectives (aligned to the state frameworks):
 SIS1 - Make observations, raise questions, and formulate
hypotheses.
 SIS1 - Make observations, raise questions, and formulate
hypotheses.
 SIS2 - Design and conduct scientific investigations.
 SIS3 - Analyze and interpret results of scientific
investigations.
 SIS4 - Communicate and apply the results of scientific
investigations.
 Math Skill - Construct and use tables and graphs to interpret
data sets.
 Math Skill - Use common prefixes such as milli-, centi-, and
kilo.
 Math Skill - Perform basic statistical procedures to analyze
the center and spread of data.
 Math Skill - Measure with accuracy and precision (e.g.,
length, volume, mass, temperature, time)
 Math Skill - Convert within a unit (e.g., centimeters to
meters).
 Math Skill - Determine percent error from experimental and
accepted
Learning Expectations:
 Describe the three subatomic particles that make up an atom
including their charge, mass and location.
 Compare and contarast isotopes of an element.
 Distinguish between ionic and covalent bonds.
 Describe why water molecules are polar.
 Explain the role of adhesion and cohesion in interactions between
molecules.
 Describe what makes an acid and a base.
 Understand and be able to use the pH scale to recognize acids and
bases.
 Identify the 6 most common elements of living things
 Describe what makes the chemistry of carbon unique/interesting.
 Identify the elements found in each class of organic molecules.
 Describe the general structure and function of each type of organic
molecule.
 List examples of each type of organic molecule.
 Describe how an exzyme's shape is important to its function.
 Explain how enzymes affect activation energy.
 Observe and explain how an exzyme woks in a chemical reaction.
Braintree Public Schools – Unit Curriculum Guide
Mar-16
Braintree High School
Department of Science
Specific Objectives cont’d (aligned to the state framework):
 Math Skill - Use the Celsius scale.
 Math Skill - Use appropriate metric/standard international (SI)
units of measurement for mass (kg); length (m); and time (s).
 1.1 - Recognize that biological organisms are composed
primarily of very few elements. The six most common are C,
H, N, O, P, and S.
 1.2 - Describe the basic molecular structures and primary
functions of the four major categories of organic molecules
(carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids).
 1.3 - Explain the role of enzymes as catalysts that lower the
activation energy of biochemical reactions. Identify factors,
such as pH and temperature, that have an effect on enzymes.
 2.4 - Identify the reactants, products, and basic purposes of
photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Explain the interrelated
nature of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cells of
photosynthetic organisms.
Braintree Public Schools – Unit Curriculum Guide
Learning Expectations cont’d:
 Describe how an ezyme can be controled or regulated in the
human body.
Mar-16
Braintree High School
Department of Science
Suggested Unit Implementation & Instructional Strategies:
I.
Nature of Matter ( 3 days) PowerPoint,Ch 2-1 Guided Reading,
and Graphic Organizer
II.
Properties of Water (3.5 days) PowerPoint, Adhesion and
Cohesion Lab, pH Stations, Ch 2-2 Guided Reading, pH Scale
Worksheet
III.
Carbon Compounds (11.5 days) PwerPoint, Organic Molecules
Descriptions, Ch 2-3 Guided Reading, Organic Molecules
Stations, Carbohydrate Worksheet, Lipid Worksheet, Protein
Worksheet, Nucleic Acid Worksheet
IV.
Chemical Reactions and Enzymes (6 days) PowerPoint, Chapter
2-4 Guided Reading, Reaction Graphis, Reaction Graphs
V.
Chapter 2 Exam (2 days)
Independent Practice/Homework Assignments:
 Activity - Organic Molecule Project
 Lab - Lactase Enzyme
 Lab - Organic Compounds
 Worksheet - Chapter 2 Review
 Worksheet - Gecko Article
 Worksheet - Chapter 2-1 Quiz Review
 Worksheet - Chapter 2-2 Quiz Review
 Worksheet - Enzyme Graphic
 Worksheet - Organic Molecule Graphic
Summative Assessments:
 Quiz - Weekly
vocabulary quizzes based
on organic chemistry
terminology
 Exam - Biology Ch 2 IS
 Exam - Biology Ch 2
MCAS
 Quiz - Carbohydrates
 Quiz - Lipids
 Quiz - Proteins
 Quiz - Nucleic Acids
 Quiz - Enzymes
 Quiz - Chapter 2-1 & 2-2
 Quiz - Organic Molecules
 Worksheet - Organic
Molecule Chart
Braintree Public Schools – Unit Curriculum Guide
School-wide Rubrics:
Preparedness
Critical Thinking
Problem-solving
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening
Self-discipline, Self-respect &
Self-reliance
Mar-16
Braintree High School
Department of Science
Suggested Unit Implementation & Instructional Strategies cont’d:
VI.
Independent Practice/Homework Assignments cont’d:

Summative Assessments cont’d:

Braintree Public Schools – Unit Curriculum Guide
Mar-16
Braintree High School
Department of Science
Adaptations:
 Translations of text heavy assignments using Google
Translate
 Guided concept mapping
 Audio version of textbook
 Preview vocabulary by chapter
 Breakdown of major assignments into smaller parts
 Allow extra time on asignments and assessments
 Alternative text (simplified version)
 Preview lab activities
Braintree Public Schools – Unit Curriculum Guide
DIFFERENTIATION
Enrichment:
 Project - Research projecto on one of the four organic molecules
 Activity - molecule building kits for the organic molecules
 Lab - Acid deposition measurement activity
 Reading - REading on current organic chemistry issues
Mar-16