Biology Curriculum
Family-facing version of the Biology curriculum
Goals
This course includes embedded scientific and engineering practices. Engaging in the practices of science and engineering helps students understand how scientific knowledge develops. These scientific and engineering practices include the use of scientific skills and processes to explore the content of science as outlined in the Science Standards of Learning. The engineering design practices are an application of the science content while trying to solve a problem or design an object, tool, process, or system. These scientific and engineering practices are critical to biology instruction.
The Student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by:
- Asking questions and defining problems.
- Planning and carrying out investigations.
- Interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data.
- Developing and using models.
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
Quarterly Overview of Biology
The objectives and outcomes for each unit are common across FCPS and based on the Virginia Standards of Learning. The pacing by quarter and by week provides an example of how the curriculum can be organized throughout the year. Teacher teams may adjust the pacing or order of units to best meet the needs of students.
Units and Details
Unit 1: Survey of Life and Homeostasis
Students will investigate and understand that:
- Cells have structure and function. Key ideas include:
- The structures in unicellular and multicellular organisms work interdependently to carry out life processes.
- Cell structures and processes are involved in cell growth and division.
- Bacteria and viruses have an effect on living systems. Key ideas include:
- Viruses depend on a host for metabolic processes.
- The modes of reproduction/replication can be compared.
- The structures and functions can be compared.
Unit 2: Cellular Systems
Students will investigate and understand that:
- Chemical and biochemical processes are essential for life. Key ideas include:
- Macromolecules have roles in maintaining life processes.
- Cells have structure and function. Key ideas include:
- The cell theory is supported by evidence.
- Structures in unicellular and multicellular organisms work interdependently to carry out life processes.
- The structure and function of the cell membrane support cell transport.
- Specialization leads to the development of different types of cells.
Unit 3: Energy for Life
Students will investigate and understand that chemical and biochemical processes are essential for life.
Key ideas include:
- Water chemistry has an influence on life processes.
- Macromolecules have roles in maintaining life processes.
- Enzymes have a role in biochemical processes.
- The processes of photosynthesis and respiration include the capture, storage, transformation, and flow of energy.
Unit 4: DNA, Protein Synthesis, and Cell Cycle (Mitosis)
Students will investigate and understand that:
- Chemical and biochemical processes are essential for life. Key ideas include:
- Protein synthesis is the process of forming proteins which influences inheritance and evolution.
- Cells have structure and function. Key ideas include:
- Cell structures and processes are involved in cell growth and division.
- Specialization leads to the development of different types of cells.
- There are common mechanisms for inheritance. Key ideas include:
- DNA has structure and is the foundation for protein synthesis.
- The structural model of DNA has developed over time.
- Synthetic biology has biological and ethical implications.
Unit 5: Genetics and Meiosis
Students will investigate and understand that there are common mechanisms for inheritance.
Key ideas include:
- The variety of traits in an organism are the result of the expression of various combinations of alleles.
- Meiosis has a role in genetic variation between generations.
- Synthetic biology has biological and ethical implications.
Unit 6: Evolution and Classification
Students will investigate and understand that
- Bacteria and viruses have an effect on living systems. Key ideas include:
- Bacteria and viruses have a role in other organisms and the environment.
- The germ theory of infectious disease is supported by evidence
- Modern classification systems can be used as organizational tools forI scientists in the study of organisms. Key ideas include:
- Organisms have structural and biochemical similarities and differences.
- Fossil record interpretation can be used to classify organisms.
- Developmental stages in different organisms can be used to classify organisms.
- Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya are domains based on characteristics of organisms.
- The functions and processes of protists, fungi, plants, and animals allow for comparisons and differentiation within the Eukarya kingdoms.
- Systems of classification are adaptable to new scientific discoveries.
- Populations change through time. Key ideas include:
- Evidence is found in fossil records and through DNA analysis.
- Genetic variation, reproductive strategies, and environmental pressures affect the survival of populations.
- Natural selection is a mechanism that leads to adaptations and may lead to the emergence of new species.
- Biological evolution has scientific evidence and explanations.
Unit 7: Ecology
Students will investigate and understand that there are dynamic equilibria within populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Key ideas include:
- Interactions within and among populations include carrying capacities, limiting factors, and growth curves.
- Nutrients cycle with energy flow through ecosystems.
- Ecosystems have succession patterns.
- Natural events and human activities influence local and global ecosystems and may affect the flora and fauna of Virginia.
Assessments
Student assessments are part of the teaching and learning process.
- Teachers give assessments to students on an ongoing basis to
- Check for understanding.
- Gather information about students' knowledge or skills.
- Assessments provide information about a child's development of knowledge and skills that can help families and teachers better plan for the next steps in instruction.
For testing questions or additional information about how schools and teachers use test results to support student success, families can contact their children's schools.
In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), seventh grade tests focus on measuring content knowledge and skill development.