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Biology

from the California Science Framework:

Introduction to High School Living Earth 

This course centers on the biosphere and examines how it interacts with each of the other Earth systems. Students will define the carrying capacity of an ecosystem in terms of the resources available due to the physical conditions in the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Students will investigate the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, which changed dramatically when plants evolved due to photosynthesis and respiration. Students will develop a model of how ancient life is recorded in the geosphere as fossils form through Earth’s surface processes. They will then explain how fossils provide evidence of evolution. Students will learn how to develop macroscopic models of genetic inheritance; then examine how cells use DNA to construct proteins, build biomass, reproduce, and create complex multicellular organisms. And at the ecosystem scale, how all the different mechanisms interact in the face of Earth’s changing climate.

Support from parents and teachers are vital to the success of our students in this course, as well as to our Raider Goals of being Thinkers, Contributors, and Communicators.  Please contact me at [email protected] or leave a message at (626) 965-3448 x3277 and I will do my best to return your email or call as soon as possible.

Textbook - STEMscopes The Living Earth

 

Next Generation Science Standards:  The Living Earth

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Science and Engineering Practices

Crosscutting Concepts

·       LS1. From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes

·       LS2. Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

·       LS3. Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

·       LS4. Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

 

·       ESS 1: Earth’s Place in the Universe

·       ESS 2: Earth’s Systems

·       ESS 3: Earth and Human Activity

·       Asking questions and defining problems

·       Developing and using models

·       Planning and carrying out investigations

·       Analyzing and interpreting data

·       Using mathematics and computational thinking

·       Constructing explanations and designing solutions

·       Engaging in argument from evidence

·       Obtaining, evaluating, and communication information

·       Patterns

·       Cause and Effect

·       Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

·       Systems and system models

·       Energy and Matter

·       Structure and Function

·       Stability and Change
 

Course Outline (Note** This is a rough overview, the course schedule may be adjusted accordingly.)

Topic

Week**

Introduction, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning, Scientific Method and Inquiry, Lab Safety

2 weeks

Instructional Segment 1: Ecosystem Interactions and Energy Ecology: Use mathematical and computer models to determine the factors that affect the size and diversity of populations in ecosystems, including the availability of resources and interactions between organisms.

6 weeks

Instructional Segment 2: History of Earth’s Atmosphere: Photosynthesis and Respiration: Make a model that links photosynthesis and respiration in organisms to cycles of energy and matter in the Earth system. Students gather evidence about the linked history of Earth’s biosphere and atmosphere.

6 weeks

Instructional Segment 3: Evidence for Evolution:  Develop a model about how rock layers record evidence of evolution as fossils. Building on their learning from previous grades, students focus on effectively communicating this evidence and relate it to principles of natural selection.

6 weeks

Instructional Segment 4: Inheritance of Traits: Develop explanations about the specific mechanisms that enable parents to pass traits on to their offspring. Students make claims about which processes give rise to variation in DNA codes and calculate the probability that offspring will inherit traits from their parents.

6 weeks

Instructional Segment 5: Structure, Function, And Growth (from Cells to Organisms): Use models to create explanations of how cells use DNA to construct proteins, build biomass, reproduce, and create complex multicellular organisms. Students investigate how these organisms maintain stability.

6 weeks

Instructional Segment 6: Ecosystem Stability and Response to Climate Change: Use computer models to investigate how Earth’s systems respond to changes, including climate change. Students make specific forecasts and design solutions to mitigate the impacts of these changes on the biosphere. 

4 weeks
Assignments and other information will be posted onto Google Classroom. You can enroll yourself in the Google Classroom group for your specific class (classroom.google.com).
 
Google Classroom codes:
Period 1 abokulq
Period 3 6kv6jlb
Period 4 gqxqk3w