NGSS Biology: The Living Earth A/B

Biology: The Living Earth A/B (P) is a laboratory-based college preparatory course. This course is defined in the 2019 California Science Framework, integrating Biology and Earth and Space Science standards from the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The course is divided into seven units, the first of which is a unit that focuses on executive science skills. The following six Instructional Segments (I.S.) centered on questions about observations of a specific phenomenon. The units address the concepts of ecosystem interactions, energy flow in a system, evolution, genetics, cell theory, and climate change. Different phenomena require different amounts of classroom investigative time to explore and understand, so each Instructional Segment should take a different fraction of the school year. As students achieve the Performance Expectations (PEs) within the unit, they uncover Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) from Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering. Students engage in multiple Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) in each unit not just those explicitly indicated in the PEs. Students also focus on one or two Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) as tools to make sense of their observations and investigations; the CCCs are recurring themes in all disciplines of science and engineering and help tie these seemingly disparate fields together.

Biology: The Living Earth is
a “d” course and meets the district graduation requirement for laboratory life science.

PREREQUISITE
:
Successful completion of Physics of the Universe A/B
Required for Accelerated NGSS Sequence - Concurrently enrolled in Physics of the Universe A/B, and concurrently and Algebra 1A

The Accelerated NGSS Course Sequence allows students early access to science electives, including AP Science courses and CTE Environmental Resources Pathway courses. Choosing these sequences will enable students to start taking science elective their sophomore year.

Use this link to learn more about our Accelerated NGSS Course Sequences.

Instructors: