Textbook - STEMscopes The Living Earth
Next Generation Science Standards: The Living Earth
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Disciplinary Core Ideas
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Science and Engineering Practices
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Crosscutting Concepts
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· 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
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· 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
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· Patterns
· Cause and Effect
· Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
· Systems and system models
· Energy and Matter
· Structure and Function
· Stability and Change
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Course Outline (Note** This is a rough overview, the course schedule may be adjusted accordingly.)
Topic
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Week**
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Introduction, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning, Scientific Method and Inquiry, Lab Safety
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2 weeks
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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.
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6 weeks
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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.
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6 weeks
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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.
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6 weeks
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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.
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6 weeks
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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.
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6 weeks
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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.
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4 weeks
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