Biology is the study of living organisms, their origins, how they survive, reproduce, change over time, and interact with each other and their environments. The Pre-AP Biology curriculum is an introductory course taught in two semesters of high school. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of modern biology and scientific processes, building a foundation for success in the college level AP courses to follow. Course material is roughly divided as follows: 35% molecules and cells, 35% evolution and genetics, and 30% organisms and populations. Nature of science will be taught throughout the year.Pre-AP Biology is recommended for high-achieving students and for students who have a particular interest in biology and the natural sciences, including students who are traditionally underrepresented in AP courses. Students will be ultimately responsible for their learning; therefore, they should be organized, prepared, and motivated to learn every day.
The Pre-AP Biology curriculum differs from the regular Biology curriculum in meaningful ways. The Pre-AP course places a higher priority on developing critical thinking skills by examining real world problems. The Pre-AP curriculum examines topics with more depth and includes more advanced resource material in addition to the adopted text. Laboratory investigations play a more prominent role in the Pre-AP course. Labs are more sophisticated than in the regular curriculum and students are expected to design and carry out experiments using appropriate methods and resources.
The Pre-AP Biology curriculum differs from the regular Biology curriculum in meaningful ways. The Pre-AP course places a higher priority on developing critical thinking skills by examining real world problems. The Pre-AP curriculum examines topics with more depth and includes more advanced resource material in addition to the adopted text. Laboratory investigations play a more prominent role in the Pre-AP course. Labs are more sophisticated than in the regular curriculum and students are expected to design and carry out experiments using appropriate methods and resources.
Honors Biology Year-at-a-Glance
Quarter 1
(August 13-October 11)
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) Review
Unit 1: Living Systems
Unit 2: Chemistry in Living Systems
Unit 3: Matter and Energy in Living Systems
Quarter 2
(October 15- December 13)
Unit 4: Ecosystems: Stability and Change
Unit 5: Cells, Stability and Change
Unit 6: Structure and Function of DNA
Quarter 3
(January 6-March 13)
Unit 7: Genetics and Heredity
Unit 8: Evidence for Evolution
Quarter 4
(March 16-May 20)
Forensics Week
Unit 9: Patterns of Evolution
Unit 10: Human Impacts on the Environment
(August 13-October 11)
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) Review
Unit 1: Living Systems
Unit 2: Chemistry in Living Systems
Unit 3: Matter and Energy in Living Systems
Quarter 2
(October 15- December 13)
Unit 4: Ecosystems: Stability and Change
Unit 5: Cells, Stability and Change
Unit 6: Structure and Function of DNA
Quarter 3
(January 6-March 13)
Unit 7: Genetics and Heredity
Unit 8: Evidence for Evolution
Quarter 4
(March 16-May 20)
Forensics Week
Unit 9: Patterns of Evolution
Unit 10: Human Impacts on the Environment
Weekly Schedules
August 14-16, 2019
Wednesday- Welcome- Syllabus; Expectations; Mystery Tubes (Scientific Inquiry)
Thursday- Procedures; Mystery Tube Modelling cont'd Friday Lab Equipment (Identifying Equipment); Social Contract |
August 19-23, 2019
Monday- Finish models/; Social Contract; discuss current events
Tuesday Social Contract
Wednesday-Lab Equipment; Abstract work time
Thursday- Thursday- Lab Equipment Online Quiz;
Friday- Lab Safety Video/Challenge ; Lab Safety Contract; Lab Safety Project; Review (Lab Safety Test Next Wednesday)
Tuesday Social Contract
Wednesday-Lab Equipment; Abstract work time
Thursday- Thursday- Lab Equipment Online Quiz;
Friday- Lab Safety Video/Challenge ; Lab Safety Contract; Lab Safety Project; Review (Lab Safety Test Next Wednesday)
August 26-30, 2019
Monday Lab Safety Project; Review (Lab Safety Test Next Wednesday)
Tuesday Lab Safety Project; Review (Lab Safety Test Next Wednesday)
Wednesday Lab Safety Test Lab Safety Project; Review (Lab Safety Test Next Wednesday)
Thursday: Review-Scientific Explanations; Link to Logins HMH Science Dimensions
Friday: Notes Characteristics of Living Things...Robot questions
Tuesday Lab Safety Project; Review (Lab Safety Test Next Wednesday)
Wednesday Lab Safety Test Lab Safety Project; Review (Lab Safety Test Next Wednesday)
Thursday: Review-Scientific Explanations; Link to Logins HMH Science Dimensions
Friday: Notes Characteristics of Living Things...Robot questions
September 2-6, 2019
Monday- LABOR DAY
Tuesday -Notes Characteristics of Living Things2.10-characteristics_of_life.ppt...Engage: Living vs Nonliving Systems- Robot questions
Wednesday-Lesson 1.1 Systems and System Models- Video;; ABSTRACT 1 DUE
Thursday-Open and Closed Systems; Thermostat simple model p6; Feedback systems and Models in Biology; Create a model plan for a biological system p8 Begin 1.2 Notes
Friday-; 3-2-1 Reflection; Research and models p9; Create a model of a system p13 (up to 3 students)
Lesson 1.1 Cornell Notes DUE;
Coming Monday... Earth Systems
Tuesday -Notes Characteristics of Living Things2.10-characteristics_of_life.ppt...Engage: Living vs Nonliving Systems- Robot questions
Wednesday-Lesson 1.1 Systems and System Models- Video;; ABSTRACT 1 DUE
Thursday-Open and Closed Systems; Thermostat simple model p6; Feedback systems and Models in Biology; Create a model plan for a biological system p8 Begin 1.2 Notes
Friday-; 3-2-1 Reflection; Research and models p9; Create a model of a system p13 (up to 3 students)
Lesson 1.1 Cornell Notes DUE;
Coming Monday... Earth Systems
September 9-13, 2019
Monday- Powers of Ten; Levels of Oraganization ppt; Organization of Living things handout
Tuesday- Earth systems 2 ppt; video; Work time?;
Wednesday- Quiz Lesson 1; Lesson Self Check DUE
Thursday-; Organ Systems notes; Interactive- Link
Friday- Cell and Microscope Basics; Microscope Lab intro
Next Week- Cells
Tuesday- Earth systems 2 ppt; video; Work time?;
Wednesday- Quiz Lesson 1; Lesson Self Check DUE
Thursday-; Organ Systems notes; Interactive- Link
Friday- Cell and Microscope Basics; Microscope Lab intro
Next Week- Cells
September 16-20, 2019
September 23-27, 2019Lesson Plan Link
Monday- Modeling Interacting Body Systems- Brainstorming p29 Tuesday- Quiz- Lesson 2; Modeling Interacting Body Systems-Human Form Wednesday- Modeling Interacting Body Systems- Final Thursday- Peer Review/ Gallery Walk Friday- Homeostasis Notes Lesson 3 October 7-11, 2019Monday- Check in- Unit Review; Practice Test (Lesson quizzes 3-4); KEY Begin notes Unit 2, Lesson 1 Chemical Bonds and Reactions p 72
Tuesday: Lecture Notes- Chemical Bonds and Reactions; Properties of Water Lecture Notes Explain ? on pg 78 Wednesday : Unit Test 1; Cornell Notes- pg 72-75 Due Friday Thursday: ; pre"lab"- probeware, procedure, lab reports, pH- lab handout Friday: Activity: pH of Various Substances October 21-25, 2019Monday- Properties of Carbon; Biomolecules- Carbs/Lipids Notes
Tuesday: Biomolecules Proteins and Nucleic Acids Notes; Video- Biomolecules Wednesday : Biomolecule Models Lab Report: Acids and Bases- Due Wednesday 10/23 Thursday: ATP; Cell Membrane Notes w/Diffusion Osmosis Video- Biomolecules Friday: Activity- p104 - Diffusion Unit 2 Lesson 2 Notes- pg 90-105 Due Friday 10/25 Study Guide/More Chemistry in Living Systems Resources Lab Report: Acids and Bases- Due Wednesday 10/23 Unit 2 Lesson 2 Notes- pg 90-105 Due Friday 10/25 UNIT 2 TEST Wednesday 10/30 November 4-8, 2019Monday- Test Reflection
Tuesday- Election Day Wednesday- Test Reflection cont'd; Edpuzzle video assignment Thursday- Workday- Edpuzzle/Test Analysis Friday-Photosynthesis Lecture Photosynthesis Videos/ Notes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-t0sGyjfto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFaBpVoQD4E Drawing Photosynthesis- Chloroplast vs mitochondria - Chloroplast p119 and 121 (model) and 122 (ETC) December 2-6, 2019Monday- Unit 3.3 Ecology Lecture; p 140-153 w/Cornell
Tuesday: Video; Workday Wednesday : Biogeochemical cycles p 158-167 w/Cornell Thursday: Video; Workday Friday: Human Impacts p166 Semester 21/6-10 (4) (Friday- NO SCHOOL) Semester Reflection; Unit 4: Population Dynamics
1/13-17 Unit 4: Population Dynamics; (Oh Deer) Ecosystem Dynamics 1/20-24 (4) (Monday- NO SCHOOL); Unit 4 Biodiversity/Succession (HHMI- Gorongosa); Review 1/27-31 Unit 4 Test; Unit 5 Cell Cycle and Mitosis 2/3-7 UNit 5 2/10-14 UNit 5, 2/17-21 (4) UNit 5 Test, Unit 6 DNA 2/24-28 Unit 6 DNA 3/9-13 UNit 6 END of QUARTER (SBA-11th; Ferguson out 3/12-13) 3/16-20 SPRING BREAK 3/23-27 Unit 7 Genetics 3/30-4/3 Unit 7 Genetics, FORENSICS WEEK 4/6-10 (4) Unit 7 Genetics, Test 4/13-17 (SAT 11th 4/14-16) UNit 8 Evidence for Evolution 4/20-24 UNit 8 Evidence for Evolution/UNit 9 Evolution 4/27- 5/1 Unit 9 Evolution/Test UNit 8-9 5/4-8 Unit 10 Human Impacts 5/11-15 Course Review 5/18-20 Finals January 6-10, 2020Monday- Reflection Fall Semester Exam; Fall Class Survey
Tuesday: Reflection Fall Semester Exam; Fall Class Survey Wednesday : Wednesday : Population Dynamics p182-193- Population Density/Activity Calculate the Population Density of our Biology Class Thursday: Wolf Reintroduction Paragraph Friday: NO SCHOOL Parent Teacher Conferences Cornell Notes- pg 182-191 DUE Tuesday 1/14/20 Abstract Summary Due Wed. 1/22 January 27-31, 2020Monday- POGIL Cell Cycle (Practice Problems Packet DUE)
Tuesday: Unit 4 TEST; Unit 5.1 Cell Cycle (Cell Cycle Apoptosis, Cell Theory) Cornell Wednesday : Lecture Cell Cycle, Surface Area/Volume ratio; Regulation/Cancer Thursday: Video: Cell Cycle; Cornell Ch 5.1 p222-229 Friday: POGIL Cornell 5.1 due Tuesday, 2/4 Gelatin Cell Lab Due Friday 2/7 Abstract due Wednesday 2/5 February 10-14, 2020Monday- Lecture: Mitosis (Unit 4 Test Reflection Due by End of Class); Mitosis song; another mitosis lecture
Tuesday: Mitosis POGIL Wednesday : Mitosis POGIL; Cell Differentiation Lecture; Cornell 5.2 Due Thursday: Think Pair Share- p245 Stem Cells Friday: ?? TBD February 17-21, 2019Monday- Presidents Day- NO School
Tuesday: Practice Questions/Review/Quizziz Wednesday : Unit 5 TEST-> Wednesday 2/19 Thursday: DNA structure Coloring Friday: Intro to DNA experiments; Videos Hershey Chase Griffith Avery; Unit 6.1 Vocab DUE Summer Camp March 2-6, 2020Monday- DNA vs RNA; Intro to Protein Synthesis; Prelab- Extracting DNA- make a Prediction;
Tuesday: Strawberry DNA Lab Wednesday : Protein Synthesis Modelling Poster/ Complete Lab Handout (Video Link) Thursday: Protein Synthesis Transcription; Lab Handout DUE Friday: Protein Synthesis Translation Google Classroom Join Code: aov264v April 1-3 and 6-7, 2020This Week's Assignments and Goals
Join Zoom Meeting- Tuesdays 11:00 https://zoom.us/j/886242617 pwd=TnJ5TXcxUkhKWlF4VU1NN3orZWNWUT09 If the link doesn't work, try this: Meeting ID: 886 242 617 Password: 099435 Unit 7,1-2: Genetics and Heredity p304-324 Learning Objective: Examine crossing over as a cause of genetic variation; and identify the role of genes in coding for traits. Goals: - Identify the difference between mitosis and meiosis - Show how genes code for traits using a Punnett Square Resources: Ch 7.1 pdf Ch 7.2 pdf Video Meiosis Video Alleles and Genes Meiosis Notes Lecture 7.1/7.2 (Exp. 2) Mendelian Genetics Assignments (Due Date: 4/14):
1. Take Notes on 7.1 p311-312 (Exploration 3 ONLY); 2. Watch the Meiosis resource video and write a paragraph summary (Video Summary). Summary should cover the highlights. 3. Take notes on 7.2 p320-324 (Exploration 2 & 3 ONLY) 4. Watch the Alleles and Genes resource video and write a paragraph summary (Video Summary). Summary should cover the highlights. NOTE: All Assignments are turned into the google classroom (see schedule week of 3/2-6 for code). Grades for Weeks of April 1-3 and 6-7, 2020 Participation (showing up to the meeting) 25 pts. Notes Ch 7.1-2 (Due 4/14) 25 pts. Video Summary 1 (Due 4/14) 10 points Video Summary 2 (Due 4/14) 10 points Total Points Available: 70 A= 60-70 B= 50-59 C=40-49 D= 30-39 F= Below 29 Weekly Survey 4thWeek of Tuesday, April 21, 2020Learning Objective: Model family inheritance of sex linked traits using a pedigree.
Goals: - Use forensic science techniques to examine evidence - Determine if Anna Anderson IS Anastasia Romanov Resources: Lecture- Sex Linked Traits Video: Sex Linked Traits Lecture- Mutations Student Handbook "Recovering the Romanovs" Assignments w/ point values (Due Date:4/28) 1. Watch the video on Sex- Linked Traits 2. Go to the website http://www.dnai.org/d/index.html 3. Use the Student Handbook 'Recovering the Romanovs' to do the activities (record your answers on a doc) (60 pts) NOTE: Alternate Option: You may do half of the Romanov Project (p 1-6, or 6-11) and the Lesson Self Check p 340 #1-10 instead- (30 pts each) 3. Participation in the weekly survey (25 pts)- NOTE: I would anticipate a quiz in the near future.. NOTE: All Assignments are turned into the google classroom (see schedule week of 3/2-6 for code). Total Points Available: 85 A= 75-85 B= 65-74 C=55-64 D= 45-54 F= Below 45 Week of May 5, 2020Learning Objective:
- Identify the Evidence for Evolution Goals: - Use the text to do Cornell Notes on Unit 8.1 - Identify how science supports the concept of evolution Resources: Video- Evidence for Evolution Lecture - Evolution Assignments w/ point values (Due Next Class) 1. Watch the video on Evolution Evidence and summarize (3 sentences) - link above (15 pts) 2. Take Cornell Notes on Unit 8.1- pgs 383-384 and 386-391 (30 pts) 4. Participation : Survey- link below /Zoom Meeting (25 pts) Weekly Survey 4th |
Monday Introduction to Microscopes Handout; Microscope Notes
Tuesday: Microscope lab day 1- Making a Wet Mount and Staining a Slide Wednesday : Microscope lab day 2- Drawing in the field of view- rawing specialized cells Thursday: Notes: Cells and Cell Organelles p24-28- Answer the Explain, Predict, Analyze and Gather Evidence questions on pages 24-28. (Complete sentences, reflect the question) Friday: Answer the Explain, Predict, Analyze and Gather Evidence questions on pages 24-28. Due at the end of Class. Abstract Link: Cannibalistic' Cancer Cells Gobble Up Their Own Kind in Microscopic 'Horror Films' September 30- October 4, 2019Monday Homeostasis Lecture Notes and Feedback; In Class Activity pg 34; Work on Cornell Notes lesson 3 pg 32-44
Tuesday: Blood Pressure; Glucose w/ Data Analysis pg 41 Wednesday : Homeostasis in other Organisms pg 42-44 Work on Cornell Notes lesson 3 pg 32-44 Thursday: Intro to Bioengineering- Cochlear Implants; Pacemakers; pg 48-51 Friday: Engineering Design Process (Lasik) Prothetics and CPAP pg 52-57 October 15-18, 2019Monday- OFF
Tuesday: Formal Lab Reports How To; Analyzing the Data/Making a Claim Wednesday : Enzymes and Chemical Reactions; Notes- le_ch._6.2_enzymes__1_.ppt Thursday: Enzyme Modeling Activity Friday: Data Analysis p81; Video- Enzymes' Lab Report: Acids and Bases- Due Wednesday 10/23 Cornell Notes: Unit 2: Lesson 1:2,3 Due Friday 10/18 October 28-Nov 1, 2019Monday- PT Conferences
Tuesday: Quiz- Biomolecules; Review- Quizziz; Study Guides Wednesday : Unit Test 2; Cornell Notes Unit 3, Lesson 1 p 117-123 Thursday: HHMI Photosynthesis Video; Student Sheet Parts 1-8 Friday: Student Sheet Parts 1-8 November 11-15, 2019Monday- Light Independent Reactions Notes; Drawing
Tuesday: Photo/Cell Respiration POGIL Wednesday : POGIL/Drawing Thursday: Cell Respiration Notes Drawing- Mitochondria Friday: Complete Drawings and turn in; Unit 3 Lesson 2 Notes: Cellular Respiration DUE November 18-22, 2019Monday- Review video; Study guides; practice questions; Quizziz Review Practice
Wednesday : TEST Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Thursday: Test Reflections Friday: Test Reflection/ Movie (Be the Change Day Schedule) January 13-17, 2020Monday- Carrying capacity; Survivorship curves; Worktime
Tuesday: Oh Deer! Cornell Notes 4.1 DUE Wednesday : Oh Deer Data Friday: Ecosystem Relationships- Predator Prey; Symbiosis Friday: Biodiversity lecture: Gorongosa HHMI January 21-24, 2020Monday- MLK Day- No School
Tuesday- Biodiversity Notes; Intro Video WildCam Wednesday- HHMI Gorongosa Part 1 Thursday- HHMI Gorongosa Part 2: Join Zooniverse Classroom (you must create an account first! https://panoptes.zooniverse.org/users/sign_up) 4th period classroom join code: https://classroom.zooniverse.org/#/wildcam-gorongosa-lab/students/classrooms/3309/join?token=5ec2c0faefcd4b4f Friday- Ecological Succession; HHMI if needed Unit 4.2 Notes Due Wednesday 1/22; Abstracts Unit 4 TEST Tuesday 1/28 February 3-7, 2020Monday- Surface area to volume ratio of cells; prelab Potato Lab
Tuesday- Potato Lab Wednesday- Potato Lab Wrap Up if needed Thursday- Unit 4 Test Reflections Friday- Cell Theory; Biointeractive Link; Handout February 24-28, 2020Monday- DNA Structure and Function Lecture; Video TedTAlk Watson
Tuesday: DNA POGIL (NMASR Review-Pendas) Wednesday :Cracking the Code Video/Questions (NMASR Review-Pendas) Cornell 6.1 DUE Thursday: Test Reflection; Quiz 6.1-2 Friday: DNA Replication; Notes 6.2 (Due Next Tuesday) DNA Models ; Prelab- DNA Extraction March 9-13, 2020Monday- Gene Regulation Notes; Cornell 6. 3 DUE TUESDAY
Tuesday: Practice Questions Wednesday : Unit 6 TEST Thursday: Reflection; Corrections (Movie) Friday: Reflection; Corrections (Movie) Summer Camp- Girls Overview Quarter 44/7 Intro to Distance Learning; Unit 7 Intro Assignments/Abstract
4/14 Lecture Topic: Genetics (Unit 7) 4/21 Lecture Topic: Genetics (Unit 7) 4/28 Lecture Topic: Evolution (Unit 8) 5/ 5 Lecture Topic: Evolution (Unit 8) 5/12 Lecture Topic: Populations (Unit 9) 5/19 Last Class- TBD Elements of Contract Grading
Abstract Link Due: April 21, 2020Week of Tuesday, April 14, 2020Unit 7.3-4: Genetics and Heredity p328-351
Learning Objective: To construct explanations of how traits are passed from parents to offspring. Goals: - Predict genotypes and phenotypes using a Punnett Square - Interpret a pedigree Resources: Ch 7.3 pdf Video Monohybrid Crosses Video- Sex Linked Traits Video Pedigrees Mendelian Genetics Ch 7.4 pdf Video Mutations Lecture- Mutations Assignments w/ point values (Due Date:4/21) 1. Take Notes on 7.3 pgs 329-333 and 336-338 only ; Take notes on 7.4 pgs 343-348 (25 pts) 2. Watch all of the resource videos for 7.3 1.Monohybrid crosses; 2.Sex linked traits; 3.Pedigrees. --> Write 2 summaries for 2 of the videos (above) of your choice (3-5 sentences/summary @ 10 pts/each) (20 pts) 3. Abstract (link Above) (15 pts) 3. Participation in meeting (25 pts) NOTE: All Assignments are turned into the google classroom (see schedule week of 3/2-6 for code). Total Points Available: 85 A= 75-85 B= 65-74 C=55-64 D= 45-54 F= Below 45 Week of Tuesday April 28, 2020Learning Objective:
- Model Natural Selection using Snurfle Island - Identify the requirements for natural selection Goals: - Use Bioman Games to model Natural Selection Resources: Video- Natural Selection Bioman Snurfle Island Game Link Snurfle Island Worksheet pdf Worksheet Snurfle Island Assignments w/ point values (Due Next Class) 1. Watch the video on Natural Selection and summarize (3 sentences) - link above (15 pts) 2. Go to the website Bioman Snurfle Island Game Link 3. Use the Worksheet Snurfle Island to Complete the Activities (30 pts) 4. Participation : Survey- link below + Zoom Meeting (25 pts) Weekly Survey 4th NOTE: All Assignments are turned into the google classroom (see schedule week of 3/2-6 for code). Total Points Available: 70 A= 60-70 B= 50-59 C=40-49 D= 30-39 F= Below 29 Weekly Survey 4th Week of May 12, 2020Learning Objective:
- Reflect on this year and what you have learned in Biology. Goals: - Choose a project and create something to honor our year together. Resources: Slideshow- Biology Project Options Template- Biology ABCs Science Inspired Art Examples Assignments w/ point values (Due Next Class) 1. Choose a Project Idea and Complete it (Test Grade 100 pts) 2. Participation : Zoom Meeting (25 pts) End of Year Survey |