Nature+of+Science+Unit

Course: Biology Unit: Nature of Science: Intro to Biology Teacher: Mrs. Murray Length of Unit: 3 Weeks Content: Scientific process / method (Units of Measurement, Scientific Thinking)

Science Standards:
 * 3.1.10.A
 * 3.1.B.A1
 * 3.1.B.A5
 * 3.1.B.A6
 * 3.1.B.C
 * 3.1.B.C2
 * 3.2.10.A
 * 3.2.C.A
 * 3.4.10.A
 * 3.4.10.E
 * 4.1.3A
 * 4.1.4A

S11.A.1 Reasoning and Analysis S11.A.1.1 Analyze and explain the nature of science in the search for understanding the natural world and its connection to technological systems. S11.A.1.1.1 Compare and contrast scientific theories, scientific laws, S11.A.1.1.2 Analyze and explain the accuracy of scientific facts, principles, theories, and laws. S11.A.1.1.3 Evaluate the appropriateness of research questions (e.g., testable vs. non-testable). S11.A.1.1.4 Explain how specific scientific knowledge or technological design concepts solve practical problems (e.g., momentum, Newton’s universal law of gravitation
 * Science Assessment Anchors / Eligible Content**


 * KEYSTONE ASSESSMENT ANCHOR BIO.A.1 Basic Biological Principles **
 * BIO.A.1.1 ** Explain the characteristics common to all organisms.
 * BIO.A.1.1.1 ** Describe the characteristics of life shared by all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
 * BIO.A.1.2 ** Describe relationships between structure and function at biological levels of organization.
 * BIO.A.1.2.1 ** Compare cellular structures and their functions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
 * BIO.A.1.2.2 ** Describe and interpret relationships between structure and function at various levels of biological organization (i.e., organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and multicellular organisms).
 * BIO.B.3.3.1 ** Distinguish between the scientific terms: hypothesis, inference, law, theory, principle, fact, and observation.

Skills:
 * Summarize (DOK=2) in writing the Scientific process.
 * Make observations (DOK=2) of living organisms.
 * Cite evidence (DOK=3) or examples to explain the characteristics of living organisms.
 * Compare (DOK=3) eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.
 * Collaborate with others to design (DOK =4) a scientific experiment.
 * Hypothesize (DOK=3) the results of a designed scientific experiment.
 * Interpret (DOK=2) and Analyze (DOK=4) data to apply basic biological principles to group scientific investigations.
 * Graph (DOK=2) and formulate (DOK=3) displayed trends in data.
 * Present your group’s scientific experiment to a classroom audience.

Assessment: Teacher observation (formative) Graded notebook / journal (formative) Quia test- Multiple choice w/ open ended essay question Graded scientific investigation –presentation (summative)

Activities: Small group work involving guided reading packets <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Teacher Led Class discussions <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Small group discussions <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cooperative Learning (hands on science experiments) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Summative writing based upon writing prompts <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Computer generated small group presentations

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Resources: Prentice Hall Biology textbook (2006) Guided Reading Worksheets from Prentice Hall Biology <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Computers with power point or keynote software