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AL.1.Physical Science Core - Students will:
Physical Science Core - Students will:
1.1. Recognize periodic trends of elements, including the number of valence electrons, atomic size, and reactivity.1.1.a. Categorizing elements as metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and noble gases
1.1.b. Differentiating between families and periods
1.1.c. Using atomic number and mass number to identify isotopes
1.10. Explain the relationship between electricity and magnetism. Example: using a moving charge to create a magnetic field and using a moving magnetic field to induce a current in a closed wire loop1.10.a. Differentiating between induction and conduction
1.10.b. Identifying mechanical, magnetic, and chemical methods used to create an electrical charge. Examples: mechanical - rubbing materials together, magnetic - moving a closed loop of wire across a magnetic field, chemical - using batteries
1.10.c. Describing electrical circuits in terms of Ohm's law
1.12. Identify metric units for mass, distance, time, temperature, velocity, acceleration, density, force, energy, and power.Quiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Gases Quiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Heat
1.2. Identify solutions in terms of components, solubility, concentration, and conductivity.1.2.b. Comparing characteristics of electrolytes and nonelectrolytes
1.3. Contrast the formation of ionic and covalent bonds based on the transfer or sharing of valence electrons.1.3.a. Demonstrating the formation of positive and negative monatomic ions by using electron dot diagrams
1.4. Use nomenclature and chemical formulas to write balanced chemical equations.1.4.b. Identifying chemical reactions as composition, decomposition, single replacement, or double replacement
1.4.c. Defining the role of electrons in chemical reactions
1.5. Describe physical and chemical changes in terms of endothermic and exothermic processes.
1.6. Identify characteristics of gravitational, electromagnetic, and nuclear forces.
1.7. Relate velocity, acceleration, and kinetic energy to mass, distance, force, and time.1.7.a. Interpreting graphic representations of velocity versus time and distance versus time
1.7.b. Solving problems for velocity, acceleration, force, work, and power
1.7.c. Describing action and reaction forces, inertia, acceleration, momentum, and friction in terms of Newton's three laws of motion
1.7.e. Solving problems for efficiency and mechanical advantage of simple machines
1.8. Relate the law of conservation of energy to transformations of potential energy, kinetic energy, and thermal energy.1.8.a. Identifying the relationship between thermal energy and the temperature of a sample of matterQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Gases Quiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Heat
1.8.b. Describing the flow of thermal energy between two samples of matter
1.8.c. Explaining how thermal energy is transferred by radiation, conduction, and convection
1.8.d. Relating simple formulas to the calculation of potential energy, kinetic energy, and workQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Heat
1.9. Compare methods of energy transfer by mechanical and electromagnetic waves.1.9.a. Distinguishing between transverse and longitudinal mechanical waves
1.9.b. Relating physical properties of sound and light to wave characteristics. Examples: loudness to amplitude, pitch to frequency, color to wavelength and frequencyQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Light
AL.10.Genetic Elective Core - Students will:
Genetic Elective Core - Students will:
10.10. Explain the development and purpose of the Human Genome Project.10.10.a. Analyzing results of the Human Genome Project to predict ethical, social, and legal implications
10.11. Describe the replication of DNA and RNA viruses, including lytic and lysogenic cycles, using diagrams.
10.2. Describe factors such as radiation, chemicals, and chance that cause mutations in populations.10.2.a. Describing effects of genetic variability on adaptations
10.3. Describe the significance of Mendel's work to the development of the modern science of genetics, including the laws of segregation and independent assortment.
10.4. Describe the process of meiosis and the cell cycle, including the hereditary significance of each.10.4.a. Comparing spermatogenesis and oogenesis using charts
10.5. Describe inheritance patterns based on gene interactions.10.5.a. Predicting patterns of heredity using pedigree analysis
10.5.b. Identifying incomplete dominance, codominance, and multiple allelism
10.6. Describe occurrences and effects of sex linkage, autosomal linkage, crossover, multiple alleles, and polygenes.
10.7. Describe the structure and function of DNA, including replication, translation, and transcription.10.7.a. Applying the genetic code to predict amino acid sequence
10.7.b. Describing methods cells use to regulate gene expression
10.7.c. Defining the role of RNA in protein synthesis
10.8. Explain the structure of eukaryotic chromosomes, including transposons, introns, and exons.
AL.11.Geology Elective Core - Students will:
Geology Elective Core - Students will:
11.1. Describe Earth's layers, including the lithosphere, asthenosphere, outer core, and inner core.11.1.c. Relating the types of lithosphere to tectonic plates. Examples: granitic lithosphere with continental plates, basaltic lithosphere with oceanic plates
11.1.d. Comparing the temperature, density, and composition of Earth's crust to that of the mantle and outer and inner cores
11.10. Explain the mechanism of plate tectonics.11.10.a. Explaining processes that cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
11.10.b. Identifying Earth's main tectonic plates
11.10.c. Describing faults and folds and their relationships to tectonic forces
11.10.d. Describing technologies used to measure and forecast earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
11.11. Identify mass movements, including topples, slides, spreads, and flows.
11.13. Describe the formation and characteristics of river systems.11.13.a. Explaining the formation of alluvial fans
11.14. Explain the interaction of the continuous processes of waves, tides, and winds with the coastal environment.11.14.a. Identifying the impact of periodic weather phenomena on coastal regions. Examples: hurricanes destroying sand dunes, El Nino or La Nina redefining shorelines
11.15. Identify geological regions in Alabama and the southeastern United States.11.15.c. Identifying earthquake zones in Alabama
11.15.d. Identifying types of rocks in Alabama
11.15.f. Identifying varying seasonal rainfall patterns throughout Alabama
11.2. Relate the concept of equilibrium to geological processes, including plate tectonics and stream flow. Examples: stream channel on a slope, movement of tectonic plates, convection within Earth
11.3. Explain natural phenomena that shape the surface of Earth, including rock cycles, plate motions and interactions, erosion and deposition, volcanism, earthquakes, weathering, and tides.
11.4. Describe the topography of the sea floor and the continents.11.4.b. Explaining changes of continental topography caused by erosion and uplift. Example: formation of southern Appalachian Mountains in Alabama
11.5. Classify rocks as sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic.11.5.a. Identifying characteristics of extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks
11.5.b. Describing mineral composition and chemical elements of rocks
11.5.c. Describing characteristics of clastic, organic, and chemical sedimentary rocks
11.5.d. Explaining texture and composition of rocks
11.6. Explain the concept of geological time within the framework of the geologic time scale.11.6.b. Describing the role of fossils in determining the age of strata
11.6.c. Identifying geological time scales, including eon, era, period, and epoch
11.6.d. Identifying relative and absolute dating methods
11.7. Describe processes of rock formation. Examples: cooling, deposition11.7.a. Explaining factors that control texture and composition of rocks. Examples: formation depth, formation size, chemical composition
11.7.b. Describing processes of fossil formation
11.8. Explain interactions among topography, climate, organic activity, time, and parent material through which soils are created.
AL.12.Human Anatomy and Physiology Elective Core - Students will:
Human Anatomy and Physiology Elective Core - Students will:
12.10. Identify structures and functions of the digestive system.12.10.a. Tracing the pathway of digestion from the mouth to the anus using diagrams
12.10.b. Identifying disorders affecting the digestive system. Examples: ulcers, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis
12.11. Identify structures and functions of the respiratory system.12.11.a. Tracing the pathway of the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange
12.11.b. Recognizing common disorders of the respiratory system. Examples: asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis
12.12. Identify structures and functions of the reproductive system.12.12.a. Differentiating between male and female reproductive systems
12.12.b. Recognizing stages of pregnancy and fetal development
12.12.c. Identifying disorders of the reproductive system. Examples: endometriosis, sexually transmitted diseases, prostate cancer
12.13. Identify structures and functions of the urinary system.12.13.a. Tracing the filtration of blood from the kidneys to the urethra
12.13.b. Recognizing diseases and disorders of the urinary system. Examples: kidney stones, urinary tract infections
12.14. Identify the endocrine glands and their functions.12.14.a. Describing effects of hormones produced by the endocrine glands
12.14.b. Identifying common disorders of the endocrine system. Examples: diabetes, goiter, hyperthyroidism
12.15. Identify physiological effects and components of the immune system.12.15.a. Contrasting active and passive immunity
12.15.b. Evaluating the importance of vaccines
12.15.c. Recognizing disorders and diseases of the immune system. Examples: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), acute lymphocytic leukemia
12.3. Classify major types of cells, including squamous, cuboidal, columnar, simple, and stratified.
12.4. Classify tissues as connective, muscular, nervous, or epithelial.
12.5. Identify anatomical structures and functions of the integumentary system.12.5.a. Identifying accessory organs
12.5.b. Recognizing diseases and disorders of the integumentary system. Examples: decubitus ulcer, melanoma, psoriasis
12.6. Identify bones that compose the skeletal system.12.6.a. Identifying functions of the skeletal system
12.6.b. Identifying subdivisions of the skeleton as axial and appendicular skeletons
12.6.c. Classifying types of joints according to their movement
12.6.d. Identifying the four bone types
12.6.e. Identifying various types of skeletal system disorders. Examples: fractures, arthritis
12.7. Identify major muscles, including origins, insertions, and actions.12.7.a. Describing common types of body movements, including flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction
12.7.b. Classifying muscles based on functions in the body, including prime movers, antagonists, synergists, and fixators
12.7.c. Comparing skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles based on their microscopic anatomy
12.8. Identify structures of the nervous system.12.8.a. Explaining differences in the function of the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system
12.8.b. Labeling parts of sensory organs, including the eye, ear, tongue, and skin receptors
12.8.c. Recognizing diseases and disorders of the nervous system. Examples: Parkinson's disease, meningitis
12.9. Identify structures and functions of the cardiovascular system.12.9.a. Tracing the flow of blood through the body
12.9.b. Identifying components of blood
12.9.c. Describing blood cell formation
12.9.d. Distinguishing among human blood groups
12.9.e. Describing common cardiovascular diseases and disorders. Examples: myocardial infarction, mitral valve prolapse, varicose veins, arteriosclerosis
AL.13.Marine Science Elective Core - Students will:
Marine Science Elective Core - Students will:
13.11. Describe positive and negative effects of human influence on marine environments. Examples: positive - reef restoration, protection of endangered species; negative - pollution, overfishingQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
13.2. Differentiate among freshwater, brackish water, and saltwater.Quiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
13.3. Describe physical characteristics of oceans, including topography of the ocean floor, plate tectonics, wave motion, depth, and pressure.Quiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
13.4. Recognize interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean.13.4.a. Describing how waves, ocean currents, and tides are generatedQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
13.5. Discuss physical and chemical properties of saltwater. Examples: physical - turbidity, temperature, density; chemical - salinity, pH, dissolved gasesQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
13.6. Describe components of major marine ecosystems, including estuaries, coral reefs, benthic communities, and open-ocean communities.Quiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
13.7. Identify patterns and interrelationships among producers, consumers, scavengers, and decomposers in a marine ecosystem.
13.8. Describe characteristics of marine plant and algae divisions.13.8.a. Describing commercial, economical, and medicinal values of marine plants and algaeQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
13.9. Arrange various forms of marine life from most simple to most complex.13.9.c. Identifying characteristics of marine invertebrates. Examples: Protozoa, Porifera, Coelenterata, Arthropoda
13.9.d. Identifying characteristics of marine vertebrates. Examples: fishes, reptiles, birds, mammals
AL.14.Zoology Elective Core - Students will:
Zoology Elective Core - Students will:
14.3. Identify the body symmetry of animals as radial, bilateral, or asymmetrical.
14.4. Use taxonomic groupings to differentiate the structure and physiology of invertebrates with dichotomous keys.14.4.a. Identifying examples and characteristics of Porifera
14.4.b. Identifying examples and characteristics of Cnidaria
14.4.c. Identifying examples and characteristics of Mollusca
14.4.d. Identifying examples and characteristics of worms, including Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, and Annelida
14.4.e. Identifying examples, characteristics, and life cycles of Arthropoda
14.4.f. Identifying examples and characteristics of Echinodermata
14.5. Use taxonomic groupings to differentiate structure and physiology of vertebrates with dichotomous keys.14.5.a. Identifying examples and characteristics of the three classes of fish
14.5.b. Identifying examples and characteristics of Amphibia
14.5.c. Identifying examples and characteristics of Reptilia
14.5.d. Identifying examples and characteristics of Aves
14.5.e. Identifying examples and characteristics of Mammalia
14.6. Identify factors used to distinguish species, including behavioral differences and reproductive isolation.
AL.2.Biology Core - Students will:
Biology Core - Students will:
2.10. Distinguish between monocots and dicots, angiosperms and gymnosperms, and vascular and nonvascular plants.2.10.a. Describing the histology of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers
2.10.b. Recognizing chemical and physical adaptations of plants. Examples: chemical - foul odor, bitter taste, toxicity; physical - spines, needles, broad leaves
2.11. Classify animals according to type of skeletal structure, method of fertilization and reproduction, body symmetry, body coverings, and locomotion. Examples: skeletal structure - vertebrates, invertebrates; fertilization - external, internal; reproduction - sexual, asexual; body symmetry - bilateral, radial, asymmetrical; body coverings - feathers, scales, fur; locomotion - cilia, flagella, pseudopodia
2.12. Describe protective adaptations of animals, including mimicry, camouflage, beak type, migration, and hibernation.2.12.a. Identifying ways in which the theory of evolution explains the nature and diversity of organisms
2.12.b. Describing natural selection, survival of the fittest, geographic isolation, and fossil record
2.13. Trace the flow of energy as it decreases through the trophic levels from producers to the quaternary level in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.2.13.b. Contrasting autotrophs and heterotrophs
2.13.c. Describing the niche of decomposers
2.13.d. Using the ten percent law to explain the decreasing availability of energy through the trophic levels
2.14. Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.2.14.a. Relating natural disasters, climate changes, nonnative species, and human activity to the dynamic equilibrium of ecosystems. Examples: natural disasters - habitat destruction resulting from tornadoes; climate changes - changes in migratory patterns of birds; nonnative species - exponential growth of kudzu and Zebra mussels due to absence of natural controls; human activity - habitat destruction resulting in reduction of biodiversity, conservation resulting in preservation of biodiversity
2.15. Identify biomes based on environmental factors and native organisms. Example: tundra - permafrost, low humidity, lichens, polar bears
2.16. Identify density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors that affect populations in an ecosystem. Examples: density-dependent - disease, predator-prey relationships, availability of food and water; density-independent - natural disasters, climate2.16.a. Discriminating among symbiotic relationships, including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism
2.2. Describe cell processes necessary for achieving homeostasis, including active and passive transport, osmosis, diffusion, exocytosis, and endocytosis.2.2.a. Identifying functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in cellular activities
2.2.b. Comparing the reaction of plant and animal cells in isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions
2.2.c. Explaining how surface area, cell size, temperature, light, and pH affect cellular activities
2.2.d. Applying the concept of fluid pressure to biological systems. Examples: blood pressure, turgor pressure, bends, strokes
2.3. Identify reactants and products associated with photosynthesis and cellular respiration and the purposes of these two processes.
2.4. Describe similarities and differences of cell organelles, using diagrams and tables.2.4.a. Identifying scientists who contributed to the cell theory. Examples: Hooke, Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow, van Leeuwenhoek
2.4.b. Distinguishing between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
2.4.c. Identifying various technologies used to observe cells. Examples: light microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope
2.5. Identify cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems as levels of organization in the biosphere.2.5.a. Recognizing that cells differentiate to perform specific functions. Examples: ciliated cells to produce movement, nerve cells to conduct electrical charges
2.6. Describe the roles of mitotic and meiotic divisions during reproduction, growth, and repair of cells.2.6.a. Comparing sperm and egg formation in terms of ploidy. Example: ploidy - haploid, diploid
2.6.b. Comparing sexual and asexual reproduction
2.7. Apply Mendel's law to determine phenotypic and genotypic probabilities of offspring.2.7.a. Defining important genetic terms, including dihybrid cross, monohybrid cross, phenotype, genotype, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant trait, recessive trait, incomplete dominance, codominance, and allele
2.7.b. Interpreting inheritance patterns shown in graphs and charts
2.7.c. Calculating genotypic and phenotypic percentages and ratios using a Punnett square
2.8. Identify the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and protein.2.8.a. Explaining relationships among DNA, genes, and chromosomes
2.8.b. Listing significant contributions of biotechnology to society, including agricultural and medical practices. Examples: DNA fingerprinting, insulin, growth hormone
2.8.c. Relating normal patterns of genetic inheritance to genetic variation. Example: crossing-over
2.8.d. Relating ways chance, mutagens, and genetic engineering increase diversity. Examples: insertion, deletion, translocation, inversion, recombinant DNA
2.8.e. Relating genetic disorders and disease to patterns of genetic inheritance. Examples: hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, Down's syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, color blindness, phenylketonuria (PKU)
2.9. Differentiate between the previous five-kingdom and current six-kingdom classification systems.2.9.a. Sequencing taxa from most inclusive to least inclusive in the classification of living things
2.9.b. Identifying organisms using a dichotomous key
2.9.c. Identifying ways in which organisms from the Monera, Protista, and Fungi kingdoms are beneficial and harmful. Examples: beneficial - decomposers, harmful - diseases
2.9.d. Justifying the grouping of viruses in a category separate from living things
2.9.e. Writing scientific names accurately by using binomial nomenclature
AL.3.Chemistry Core - Students will:
Chemistry Core - Students will:
3.1. Differentiate among pure substances, mixtures, elements, and compounds.3.1.a. Distinguishing between intensive and extensive properties of matter
3.1.b. Contrasting properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids
3.1.c. Distinguishing between homogeneous and heterogeneous forms of matter
3.2. Describe the structure of carbon chains, branched chains, and rings.
3.3. Use the periodic table to identify periodic trends, including atomic radii, ionization energy, electronegativity, and energy levels.3.3.a. Utilizing electron configurations, Lewis dot structures, and orbital notations to write chemical formulas
3.3.b. Calculating the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an isotope
3.3.c. Utilizing benchmark discoveries to describe the historical development of atomic structure, including photoelectric effect, absorption, and emission spectra of elements. Example: Thompson's cathode ray, Rutherford's gold foil, Millikan's oil drop, and Bohr's bright line spectra experiments
3.4. Describe solubility in terms of energy changes associated with the solution process.3.4.b. Explaining the conductivity of electrolytic solutions
3.4.c. Describing acids and bases in terms of strength, concentration, pH, and neutralization reactions
3.4.e. Solving problems involving molarity, including solution preparation and dilutionQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game The Mole
3.5. Use the kinetic theory to explain states of matter, phase changes, solubility, and chemical reactions. Example: water at 25 degrees Celsius remains in the liquid state because of the strong attraction between water molecules while kinetic energy allows the sliding of molecules past one another
3.6. Solve stoichiometric problems involving relationships among the number of particles, moles, and masses of reactants and products in a chemical reaction.3.6.a. Predicting ionic and covalent bond types and products given known reactants
3.6.b. Assigning oxidation numbers for individual atoms of monatomic and polyatomic ions
3.6.c. Identifying the nomenclature of ionic compounds, binary compounds, and acids
3.6.d. Classifying chemical reactions as composition, decomposition, single replacement, or double replacement
3.7. Explain the behavior of ideal gases in terms of pressure, volume, temperature, and number of particles using Charles's law, Boyle's law, Gay-Lussac's law, the combined gas law, and the ideal gas law.
3.8. Distinguish among endothermic and exothermic physical and chemical changes. Examples: endothermic physical - phase change from ice to water, endothermic chemical - reaction between citric acid solution and baking soda, exothermic physical - phase change from water vapor to water, exothermic chemical - formation of water from combustion of hydrogen and oxygen3.8.a. Calculating temperature change by using specific heatQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Heat
3.9. Distinguish between chemical and nuclear reactions.3.9.a. Identifying atomic and subatomic particles, including mesons, quarks, tachyons, and baryons
AL.4.Physics Core - Students will:
Physics Core - Students will:
4.1. Explain linear, uniform circular, and projectile motions using one- and two-dimensional vectors.4.1.a. Explaining the significance of slope and area under a curve when graphing distance-time or velocity-time data. Example: slope and area of a velocity-time curve giving acceleration and distance traveled
4.2. Define the law of conservation of momentum.4.2.a. Calculating the momentum of a single object
4.2.b. Calculating momenta of two objects before and after collision in one-dimensional motion
4.3. Explain planetary motion and navigation in space in terms of Kepler's and Newton's laws.
4.4. Describe quantitative relationships for velocity, acceleration, force, work, power, potential energy, and kinetic energy.Quiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Heat
4.5. Explain the concept of entropy as it relates to heating and cooling, using the laws of thermodynamics.4.5.a. Using qualitative and quantitative methods to show the relationship between changes in heat energy and changes in temperatureQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Heat
4.6. Describe wave behavior in terms of reflection, refraction, diffraction, constructive and destructive wave interference, and the Doppler effect.4.6.a. Explaining reasons for differences in speed, frequency, and wavelength of a propagating wave in varying materials
4.6.c. Demonstrating particle and wave duality
4.7. Describe properties of reflection, refraction, and diffraction. Examples: tracing the path of a reflected light ray, predicting the formation of reflected images through tracing of rays4.7.a. Demonstrating the path of light through mirrors, lenses, and prisms. Example: tracing the path of a refracted light ray through prisms using Snell's lawQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Optics
4.7.b. Describing the effect of filters and polarization on the transmission of light
4.9. Describe quantitative relationships among charge, current, electrical potential energy, potential difference, resistance, and electrical power for simple series, parallel, or combination direct current (DC) circuits.
AL.5.Aquascience Elective Core - Students will:
Aquascience Elective Core - Students will:
5.1. Differentiate among freshwater, brackish water, and saltwater ecosystems.5.1.a. Identifying chemical, geological, and physical features of aquatic ecosystemsQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
5.2. Relate geological and hydrological phenomena and fluid dynamics to aquatic systems.Quiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
5.4. Determine important properties and content of water as related to aquaculture. Examples: turbidity, pH, pollutants, dissolved oxygen, high specific heat, density, temperature5.4.b. Identifying sources of aquatic pollution. Examples: point and nonpoint pollution, volcanic ash, waste disposalQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
AL.6.Botany Elective Core - Students will:
Botany Elective Core - Students will:
6.1. Identify the twelve plant kingdom divisions.6.1.a. Classifying native Alabama plants using dichotomous keys
6.11. Describe various natural and artificial methods of vegetative propagation. Examples: natural - stem runners, rhizomes, bulbs, tubers; artificial - cutting, grafting, layering
6.12. Describe the ecological and economic importance of plants. Examples: ecological - algae-producing oxygen, bioremediation, soil preservation; economic - food, medication, timber, fossil fuels, clothing6.12.a. Analyzing effects of human activity on the plant world
6.2. Describe phylogenetic relationships between plants and other organisms.6.2.a. Classifying plants as vascular or nonvascular
6.2.b. Classifying seed-bearing and spore-bearing plants
6.2.c. Classifying plants as gymnosperms or angiosperms
6.2.d. Contrasting monocots and dicots
6.2.e. Describing mutualism among algae and fungi in lichens
6.3. List plant adaptations required for life on land.6.3.b. Comparing characteristics of algae and plants
6.4. Identify major types of plant tissues found in roots, stems, and leaves. Examples: parenchyma, sclerenchyma, collenchyma
6.5. Identify types of roots, stems, and leaves. Examples: roots - tap, fibrous; stems - herbaceous, woody; leaves - simple, compound
6.6. Explain the importance of soil type, texture, and nutrients to plant growth.6.6.a. Describing water and mineral absorption in plants
6.7. Explain plant cell processes, including light dependent and light independent reactions of photosynthesis, glycolysis, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and transport.
AL.7.Earth and Space Science Elective Core - Students will:
Earth and Space Science Elective Core - Students will:
7.1. Describe sources of energy, including solar, gravitational, geothermal, and nuclear.
7.10. Identify scientists and their findings relative to Earth and space, including Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein.7.10.a. Identifying classical instruments used to extend the senses and increase knowledge of the universe, including optical telescopes, radio telescopes, spectroscopes, and cameras
7.11. Describe pulsars, quasars, black holes, and galaxies.
7.12. Describe challenges and required technologies for space exploration.7.12.c. Identifying new instrumentation and communication technologies needed for space information gathering. Examples: Mars Exploration Rover, Cassini spacecraft and Huygens probe, Gravity Probe B
7.12.e. Identifying new technology used to gather information, including spacecraft, observatories, space-based telescopes, and probes
7.2. Describe effects on weather of energy transfer within and among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere.7.2.a. Describing the energy transfer related to condensation in clouds, precipitation, winds, and ocean currentsQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
7.2.b. Describing characteristics of the El Nino and La Nina phenomenaQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
7.2.c. Using data to analyze global weather patterns. Examples: temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction
7.3. Explain how weather patterns affect climate.7.3.a. Explaining characteristics of various weather systems, including high and low pressure areas or fronts
7.3.b. Interpreting weather maps and symbols to predict changing weather conditions
7.3.c. Identifying technologies used to obtain meteorological data
7.4. Describe the production and transfer of stellar energies.7.4.a. Describing the relationship between life cycles and nuclear reactions of stars
7.4.b. Describing how the reception of solar radiation is affected by atmospheric and lithospheric conditions. Example: volcanic eruptions and greenhouse gases affecting reflection and absorption of solar radiationQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Climate
7.5. Discuss various theories for the origin, formation, and changing nature of the universe and our solar system.7.5.a. Explaining the nebular hypothesis for formation of planets, the big bang theory, and the steady state theory
7.5.b. Relating Hubble's law to the concept of an ever-expanding universe
7.5.c. Describing the impact of meteor, asteroid, and comet bombardment on planetary and lunar development
7.6. Explain the length of a day and of a year in terms of the motion of Earth.7.6.a. Explaining the relationship of the seasons to the tilt of Earth's axis and its revolution about the sun
7.7. Explain techniques for determining the age and composition of Earth and the universe.7.7.b. Using expanding universe measurements to determine the age of the universe
7.7.c. Identifying techniques for evaluating the composition of objects in space
7.8. Explain the terms astronomical unit and light year.
7.9. Relate the life cycle of stars to the H-R diagram.7.9.a. Explaining indicators of motion by the stars and sun in terms of the Doppler effect and red and blue shifts
7.9.b. Describing the relationship of star color, brightness, and evolution to the balance between gravitational collapse and nuclear fusion
AL.8.Environmental Science Elective Core - Students will:
Environmental Science Elective Core - Students will:
8.10. Describe the composition of soil profiles and soil samples of varying climates.8.10.a. Identifying various processes and activities that promote soil formation. Examples: weathering, decomposition, deposition
8.10.b. Relating particle size to soil texture and type of sand, silt, or clay
8.11. Describe agents of erosion, including moving water, gravity, glaciers, and wind.8.11.a. Describing methods for preventing soil erosion. Examples: planting vegetation, constructing terraces, providing barriers
8.2. Evaluate various fossil fuels for their effectiveness as energy resources.8.2.a. Describing the formation and use of nonrenewable fossil fuels
8.2.b. Identifying by-products of the combustion of fossil fuels, including particulates, mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide
8.2.c. Identifying chemical equations associated with the combustion of fossil fuels
8.2.d. Describing benefits of abundant, affordable energy to mankind
8.2.e. Identifying effects of fossil fuel by-products on the environment, including ozone depletion; formation of acid rain, brown haze, and greenhouse gases; and concentration of particulates and heavy metalsQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Climate
8.3. Evaluate other sources of energy for their effectiveness as alternatives to fossil fuels.8.3.a. Comparing nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactions in the production of energy
8.3.b. Comparing energy production and waste output in generating nuclear energy
8.3.c. Differentiating between renewable and nonrenewable energy resources
8.3.d. Identifying local energy sources. Examples: landfill gas, wind, water, sun
8.4. Identify the impact of pollutants on the atmosphere.8.4.a. Identifying layers of the atmosphere and the composition of air
8.4.b. Describing the formation of primary, secondary, and indoor air pollutants
8.4.c. Relating pollutants to smog and thermal inversions
8.4.d. Investigating the impact of air quality on the environment
8.6. Identify sources of local drinking water.8.6.d. Describing the process of underground water accumulation, including the formation of aquifers
8.7. Identify reasons coastal waters serve as an important resource. Examples: economic stability, biodiversity, recreation8.7.b. Comparing components of marine water to components of inland bodies of waterQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
8.8. Identify major contaminants in water resulting from natural phenomena, homes, industry, and agriculture.8.8.b. Classifying sources of water pollution as point and nonpointQuiz, Flash Cards, Worksheet, Game Oceans
8.9. Describe land-use practices that promote sustainability and economic growth. Examples: no-till planting, crop rotation8.9.a. Defining various types and sources of waste and their impact on the soil. Examples: types - biodegradeable, nonbiodegradeable, organic, radioactive, nonradioactive; sources - pesticides, herbicides
AL.9.Forensic Science Elective Core - Students will:
Forensic Science Elective Core - Students will:
9.1. Describe responsibilities of various personnel involved in crime scene investigations. Examples: police, detectives, laboratory specialists, medical examiners9.1.a. Explaining how to search, sketch, and record data from a crime scene