Unit 1: Scientific Method and Characteristics of Life

Topics in this unit include:

-scientific method

-proper lab reports

-characteristics of life

-review of chemistry

Essential Questions

• 1. How do we know if something is alive?

  2. How do we use evidence to support our claims?

  3. How does basic chemistry of molecules affect living things?

Learning Targets

Learning Target #1: We will be able to identify characteristics of life.

Learning Target #2: We will be able to explain the characteristics of life and describe their meanings using the associated vocabulary. Learning Target #3: We will be able to to apply the characteristics of life to classify mystery samples as living, non-living, and dead. Learning Target #4: We will be able to identify, explain, and apply the characteristics of living organisms to categorize objects as living, non-living, or dead.

Learning Target #5: We will be able to describe chemistry terms such as matter, bonding, and pH, using appropriate vocabulary. Learning Target #6: We will be able describe and interpret how matter, bonding, and pH relate to structure and function in biological systems.

Learning Target #7: We will investigate pH and apply it to the concepts of structure and function in biological systems.

Learning Target #8: We will analyze samples using the characteristics of life and chemistry to classify as living, non-living, or dead. Learning Target #9 We will explain the characteristics of living organisms and the chemistry that allows us to classify living organisms.