This lab-based course covers the foundational principles of modern life science as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). It also includes approximately a third of the Earth and Space Science standards, primarily those connected to environmental science and ecology. The course emphasizes all three dimensions of the NGSS, with special attention to the crosscutting concepts of Patterns and Energy and Matter. Additionally, scientific inquiry and engineering design practices are emphasized throughout the course. The course is designed to follow a chemistry course and so builds on student understandings of molecules as they explore the biomolecular underpinnings of life's functions, the evolution of life, and the interactions of life in ecosystems. Technological, historical, political, and environmental aspects of biology will also be addressed. Critical thinking, data analysis, and argumentation from evidence are also emphasized.

Anchoring Phenomenon: A baby is born and seems perfectly healthy, but after a few days starts to exhibit strange symptoms that could lead to physical impairment or even death. What is causing the problem? Can the baby be saved? Unit Essential Question: How and why do cells make the molecules they need and get rid of the molecules they don’t need? What happens if steps in this process aren’t working?

For this unit plan, see the old unit calendar (link on left sidebar, click ALT3 tab at the bottom).  Once we update this unit to the new Doc template, we will post it here. This is now unit 3, but it used to be unit 2 (we will update file and folder numbering as we continue to revise the units). Thanks for your patience as we work hard this year to update all of the materials to the new unit template and unit/standards arrangements.

Anchoring Phenomenon: Identical twins have the same DNA yet one was diagnosed with breast cancer and the other was not?? One about diabetes? Unit Essential Question: Why are some people diagnosed with diabetes and breast cancer while others are not?

For this unit plan, see the old unit calendar (link on left sidebar, click ALT5 tab at the bottom).  Once we update this unit to the new Doc template, we will post it here. This is now unit 5, but it used to be unit 6 (we will update file and folder numbering as we continue to revise the units). Thanks for your patience as we work hard this year to update all of the materials to the new unit template and unit/standards arrangements.

This unit is under construction and should be ready by January 2019. Some of the materials for this unit will be taken from the former Unit 4 (Ecosystems Matter and Energy) but will also contain new material. Here is some of the source material that will be in the new unit when we get to it.

For this unit plan, see the old unit calendar (link on left sidebar, click ALT7 tab at the bottom).  Once we update this unit to the new Doc template, we will post it here. This is now unit 7, but it used to be unit 4 (we will update file and folder numbering as we continue to revise the units). Thanks for your patience as we work hard this year to update all of the materials to the new unit template and unit/standards arrangements.

Listed here are unit plans currently available for elementary, middle and secondary levels.

Enter subject or grade level into our keyword search to explore available unit plans or use the filters for level and subject.

Students will choose a media (letter, art with a written or verbal explanation, video, presentation, speech, persuasive paper) from menu, in order to express their opinion on a topic. Their opinions will need to be supported by evidence that is gathered from text or other informational sources. The purpose of the final product is to advocate for another person in order to make a positive change in the world. The students will be presented with a problem that they will have to advocate for a change using research to support their opinions.

Primary Text(s) (Module 5):
● The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
In this novel, Ivan is a silverback gorilla who lives in a mall circus. Ivan is good friends with the other animals in the exhibit. Through advocacy Ivan is able to be freed and find a better life.

"Are you ready to take your agricultural business to the next level? Then you're in the right place! In this course, you'll explore agricultural business strategy and planning, farm management, succession planning and financial fundamentals. Invest a few hours in this free, online course1 and you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to make a lifetime of better informed decisions for yourself and your business. Invest in your business. Invest in yourself."

Complete 8 Modules.

In this activity, learners will use satellite images of the San Francisco Bay Area to evaluate urban development in an earthquake-prone region. They will prepare an executive summary of their findings that incorporates diagrams or images. Links to the satellite images are provided. This activity is part of Event-Based Science: Remote-Sensing Activities.

Engineers design and implement many creative techniques for managing stormwater at its sources in order to improve and restore the hydrology and water quality of developed sites to pre-development conditions. Through the two lessons in this unit, students are introduced to green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) technologies, including green roofs and vegetative walls, bioretention or rain gardens, bioswales, planter boxes, permeable pavement, urban tree canopies, rainwater harvesting, downspout disconnection, green streets and alleys, and green parking. Student teams take on the role of stormwater engineers through five associated activities. They first model the water cycle, and then measure transpiration rates and compare native plant species. They investigate the differences in infiltration rates and storage capacities between several types of planting media before designing their own media mixes to meet design criteria. Then they design and test their own pervious pavement mix combinations. In the culminating activity, teams bring together all the concepts as well as many of the materials from the previous activities in order to create and install personal rain gardens. The unit prepares the students and teachers to take on the design and installation of bigger rain garden projects to manage stormwater at their school campuses, homes and communities.

Students analyze the concepts of identity, stereotyping, and discrimination by reading picture books; identify how these concepts are dealt with in each book; and discuss concrete actions to stop discrimination.

Students are presented with a biomedical engineering challenge: Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among women and the American Cancer Society says mammography is the best early-detection tool available. Despite this, many women choose not to have them; of all American women at or over age 40, only 54.9% have had a mammogram within the past year. One reason women skip annual mammograms is pain, with 90% reporting discomfort. Is there a way to detect the presence of tumors that is not as painful as mammography but more reliable and quantifiable than breast self-exams or clinical breast exams? This three lesson/three activity unit is designed for first-year accelerated or AP physics classes. It provide hands-on activities to teach the concepts of stress, strain and Hooke's law, which students apply to solve the challenge problem.

Working in small groups, students read and discuss Elie Wiesel's memoir "Night" and then take turns assuming the ŕteacherĚŇ role, as the class works with four different comprehension strategies.

Vault: Understanding Money is a digital education program that teaches students how to make wise financial decisions and improve their social emotional skills like goal-setting and responsible decision making. The interactive lessons will engage learners in an immersive adventure that translates financial concepts into easy to apply experiences that help students develop strategies for managing future finances.

Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Grade: 4, 5, 6
Topic : Academic Readiness, Financial Literacy
Languages: English - US, French - CA, Spanish - US, English - GB, English - CA

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Investigate the processes for buying and leasing a vehicle.

Teacher Guide included.

5-7 hours

'Students explore a variety of jobs and professions in today’s world, their aptitudes, the consequences of choosing a job or profession, and the importance of bilingualism in the choice of a job or profession ... students ... research a job or profession and to make a presentation to the class. In addition, students will explore possible careers and examine steps to follow to obtain employment.'

*All instructions are in French.*

This lesson provides teachers with support for using text-dependent questions and Common Core literacy strategies to help students derive big ideas and key understandings while developing vocabulary using the text, "A Very Important Day." In this story, several different families from other countries prepare to become US citizens. Characters from different cultures share one exciting and important event.

The purpose of this course is to provide a project-based visual arts program, which guides students to achieve the standards in the visual arts and career technical training, by providing students with the technical instruction and practical experiences for aspiring video and film makers in the production of film, video, and new media projects for business and entertainment. Students experience both the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking in conjunction with learning about historical and contemporary traditions and conventions.Students are instructed on the three stages of project creation. In pre-production, students learn the basic principles of story development, screenplay writing, storyboarding, scheduling and budget planning. Instruction in the production stage includes basic visual composition, color theory, set up and operation of camera, sound, and lighting equipment. Students learn to use cutting-edge software applications for video and audio post-production. Mastering and delivery methods, in both traditional and new media, are explored.The course also includes the basics of job shadowing, internships, and job placement. The competencies in this course are aligned with the California High School Academic Content Standards and the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards. Interdisciplinary experiences and arts activities lead to refining a personal aesthetic, and a heightened understanding of career opportunities in art and arts-related fields.