Science Department

Essential Knowledge and Skills

Students in elementary biology study the same biological concepts as biology, however, the concepts are presented in such a way those students with fewer math skills and/or other learning challenges can appreciate and understand. Scientific thinking and lab skills are also emphasized. Students will understand that living organisms interact with one another and their environment and that all organisms are composed of one or more cells that are made of molecules, come from preexisting cells, and perform life functions. Students will also understand the relationship between structure and function of organs and organ systems. Students will understand that genetic information coded in DNA is passed from parent to offspring by sexual and asexual reproduction and that this basic structure is the same in all living things. Finally, students will understand that biological diversity is a result of evolutionary processes.

Indicators of Student Learning

Upon the completion of this course, students will:

Problem Solving

• Use all lab equipment properly and successfully create wet mount slides.

• Successfully utilize a compound light microscope to magnify objects of study.

• Utilize different problem solving strategies including: deductive reasoning, determining logical conclusions, drawing and labeling a diagram, illustrating the relationship between life processes, and recognizing and comparing patterns of structure and function in various life forms.

• Use analytical process to organize information in the form of collected data and analyze the results.

Communication

• Summarize how energy flows through an ecosystem, explain the relationships between matter cycles and organisms, and describe how interactions among organisms and their environment help shape ecosystems.

• Describe the fundamental chemistry of living cells, the flow of energy and matter in cellular function, and the structure and function of cells and cell parts.

• Describe the structure and function of organs, and describe the relationship between structure and function of organ systems in plants and animals.

• Identify and compare the components of sexual and asexual reproduction, predict and interpret patterns of inheritance in sexually reproducing organisms, and explain how the structure and replication of DNA are essential to heredity and protein synthesis.

• Relate the principles of evolution to biological diversity, and classify organisms into a hierarchy of groups based on similarities that reflect their evolutionary relationships.

• Use the language of science to clearly express scientific ideas.

• Build scientific vocabulary by adding concepts and understanding.

• Use communication strategies to facilitate retention of information such as repeating information, constructing mnemonics, and taking notes.

• Synthesize information to answer questions, solve problems, and communicate ideas.

• Connect prior knowledge and new information to expand understanding of topics.

• Share ideas and information in small and whole class discussion, visual presentations, written response, and multi-media presentations.

• Use writing as a learning tool, e.g. journals, paraphrasing, summarizing, research reports, lab reports, data charts, and notebooks.

Reasoning and Proof

• Understand the Scientific Theory and the process by which a hypothesis is proven or disproved.

• Present logical and/or reasonable conclusions based on the evidence of lab experimentation collected as scientific data.

Technology

• Collaborate with peers to use technology to compile and produce projects, models, and other creative works.

• Complete topic-oriented web quests.

• Create and present at least one multi-media presentation.

Assessment

Upon the completion of this course, students will:

• Demonstrate competency in problem solving including: utilizing familiar lab equipment and the compound light microscope, drawing and labeling diagrams, comparing and contrasting life processes, and analyzing and organizing experimental evidence as data.

• Demonstrate competency in reasoning and proof by utilizing the scientific method to reach logical and/or reasonable conclusions.

• Demonstrate competency in communication by using correct terminology, expressing ideas clearly, explaining analytical process, presenting ideas and information in visual presentations, written response, and multi-media presentations.

• Demonstrate competency in technology by creating and constructing projects, models, and multi-media presentations.