Essential Tasks
Timeline: 4 weeks of 1 hour classes daily
Learning Objectives / Connection to standards
(GLE,CMT,
CAPT) / Instruction / Strategies / Formative
Assessments / Differentiation
accommodations/ modifications / Resources
(Additional
Activities)
Unit 1: The Chemistry of Life_SInga edited 3/10/09
Enduring Understanding:
1.  Students will understand and use the process of using scientific inquiry as a thoughtful, safe and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena.
2.  Students will understand the structure and function of each group of organic compounds.
3.  Students will understand how enzymes are important to living things.
Essential Questions:
1.  What are the proper safety procedures, for exploring and engaging in inquiry science?
2.  What process is used in science to obtain information about the world in which we live?
3.  How are scientific numeracy and literacy useful in understanding and applying science concepts?
4.  How do macromolecules of living organisms compare?
5.  What are the functions of proteins in cells?
6.  What factors influence the structure and function of enzymes?
Unit Learning Objectives::
1.  Students will score a minimum of 90% on the Safety Exam
2.  Students and parents will read, understand, sign and abide by the Science Safety Contract.
3.  Students will correctly record information and data, using scientific habits of mind and the proper lab format.
4.  Students will use appropriate metric measurements when recording and analyzing numerical data.
5.  Students will recognize that biological organisms are composed primarily of very few elements. The most common are C, H, O, N, P, S
6.  Students will describe basic molecular structures and primary functions of the four major categories of organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids)
7.  Students will explain the role of enzymes as catalysts that lower the activation energy of biochemical reactions.
8.  Students will identify and describe factors, such as pH and temperature that have an effect on enzymes.
Unit Assessments—summative, rubric required , matched to objective
Learning Objectives / Connection to standards
(GLE,CMT,
CAPT) / Instruction / Strategies / Formative
Assessments / Differentiation
accommodations/ modifications / Resources /Additional Activities)
  • Content
1.Students will score a minimum of 90% on the Safety Exam
2, Students and parents will read, understand, sign and abide by the Science Safety Contract. / DINQ 1-10 / TEACHER SAFETY DEMONSTRATION
Teacher will go over the expectations for the class and provide copies for parents. / 10 Instructional Strategies: Nature of Science
Biology Expectations / Safety Assessment in Spanish
Safety Assessment in English
Must Haves in All Units
Incorporate the following in all units:
4-point Rubric (see Marzano*), pg. 58
Essential Tasks
Unit Assessments
End-of Unit Assessments
Determine % of (how much) Essential Tasks and End-of-Unit assessments will count toward quarter/semester grade / safety contract in Spanish
Safety Contract in English
ELL MODIFICATIONS FOR ACTIVITIES
http://www.csun.edu/~vceed002/ref/language/teaching-ell.html / Text: Prentice-Hall/Dragonfly
http://www.millerandlevine.com/
What_Not_To_Do_Lab
teacher directions
Flinn Safety
Project 2061 Benchmarks
http://www.discoveryeducation.com
http://www.digital-recordings.com/publ/pubscie.html
  • Skill

3.Students will correctly record information and data, using scientific habits of mind and the proper lab format. / DINQ.1-10 / Textbook Scavenger Hunt / CAPT strategies
PEDAGOGY
(Marzano, Nature of Science)
Lab Report Template using sticky notes / For Honors variables and graphs.doc
common formative assessment for scientific method
Lab Report Rubric
Scientific Inquiry Rubric / ORIGINS (Scientific Method)
Scientific Method
SDE Document on Literacy
Scientific Numeracy:
4.Students will use appropriate metric measurements when recording and analyzing numerical data.
/ DINQ.8 / Use of metrics is required for all measurement and will be
Embedded throughout the Biology course during the year as appropriate / Measure the length of the strips for the mobius activity in centimeters. / All measurements in lab reports must be metric, and will be assessed in data section of rubric. / RECOMMENDED WEB SITES
Numeracy_Activities
5.Students will recognize that biological organisms are composed primarily of very few elements. The six most common are C, H, O, N, P, S
6. Students will describe basic molecular structures and primary functions of the four major categories of organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids) / Building Macromolecules / Benchmark assessments: From this document, test items can be selected throughout the year for use in formative and summative assessment
  • Skill

7. Students will explain the role of enzymes as catalysts that lower the activation energy of biochemical reactions.
8. Students will identify and describe factors, such as pH and temperature that have an effect on enzymes. / ENZYME EMBEDDED TASK.
Teacher may choose any preferred lab from enzyme folder to achieve objective. Chosen lab MUST be completed. Mention of State activity on applesauce as an example is desirable.
/ENZYME_LABS/
SDE activity STS on enzymes in industry MUST be completed. STS Enzymes and
STS_Student_version / Benchmarkassessments
Teachers Manual for benchmarks
Writing prompts
Science Fair projects
Journals, Meaningful Paragraphs
Core Activities:
Choose 1 or 2
Enrichment Activities: 1 or 2
Reinforcement Activities: 1 or 2
End of Unit Assessments—summative, rubric required , matched to objectives
http://www.cssaonline.net/Hartford_Activities

Revised 1.15.09