UNIT	SKILLS	TYPE OF ASSESSMENT USED	
Introduction to Life	•	Characteristics of life
•	Cell theory
•	Cell structure and function	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Projects
•	Discussion
•	Lab performance	
Heredity	•	Mendelian genetics
•	Modern genetics
•	Human genetics	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Interviews at home
•	Discussion 
•	Lab observation
•	Punnett squares	
Evolution	•	Mechanisms of evolution
•	Evidence of evolution
•	Human evolution	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Discussion	
Taxonomy	•	Systems of classification
•	Modern classification
•	Identification of organisms	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Class project - lab classification
•	Discussion	
Monerans	•	Bacteria
•	Cyanobacteria
•	Helpful, harmful, harmless species of any kingdom	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Disease report
•	Petri dish experiment
•	Discussion

	
Viruses	•	Structure and reproduction
•	Helpful and harmful types	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Disease report
•	Discussion	
Protists	•	Plant-like protists
•	Animal-like protists
•	Fungus-like protists
•	Helpful and Harmful types	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Disease report
•	Classroom pond project
•	Discussion
•	Lab observation	
Fungi	•	Zygote fungi
•	Sac fungi
•	Club fungi
•	Imperfect fungi
•	Symbiotic fungi
•	Lichens 
•	Helpful and Harmful types	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Disease report
•	Discussion
•	Petri dish experiment
•	Lab observation	
Plants	•	Characteristics of plants
•	Vascular and non-vascular plants
•	Seedless and seeded plants
•	Respiration and photosynthesis
•	Tropisms - stimulus/response behaviors
•	Interactions - parasitism, mutualism	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Discussion
•	Lab performance
•	Long-term investigation
•	Projects	
Animals	•	Characteristics of animals
•	Vertebrate and invertebrate animals
•	Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Discussion
•	Lab performance - hydra, planaria, game fish	
Human Beings	•	Skeletal system
•	Muscular system
•	Skin
•	Digestive system
•	Circulatory system
•	Lymphatic system
•	Respiratory system
•	Excretory system
•	Nervous system
•	Endocrine system
•	Reproductive system
•	Locomotion
•	Immune	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Discussion
•	Lab performance - pulse rate, lung capacity,
	five senses activity	
Current Life Science Events	•	Recycling and waste management
•	Species extinction
•	Rain forest dilemma
•	Acid rain
•	Tropical plant medicine
•	The use of pesticides
•	Reintroduction of animals to the wild
•	Eating disorders
•	Disease cures and prevention	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Discussion
•	Scientific American
•	Frontiers PBS show
•	Long-term investigation	
Rocks and Minerals	•	Soil formation
•	Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic
•	Rock cycle
•	Hardness, color, streak, cleavage, fracture	•	Multiple choice
•	Short answer
•	Open/free response
•	Discussion
•	Identification lab
•	Differentiate rocks and minerals