Balanced ScienceBalanced Science

Biology Quarter 1 Cycle 1Biology Quarter 1 Cycle 1

Day 1: NECAP PracticeDay 1: NECAP Practice

Day 2: Scientific Method Practice: Writing a Day 2: Scientific Method Practice: Writing a HypothesisHypothesis

Write a prediction for the following problem: Write a prediction for the following problem:

ForFor an experiment, you collect some green material from the an experiment, you collect some green material from the inside wall of your science classroom fish tank and put it in an inside wall of your science classroom fish tank and put it in an airtight container. You notice after 5 days the material turns airtight container. You notice after 5 days the material turns from a green to brown color. from a green to brown color.

Create a hypothesis addressing whether this material is Create a hypothesis addressing whether this material is living or non-living.living or non-living.

This will be assessed on a 5-0 scale using the Introduction This will be assessed on a 5-0 scale using the Introduction section of the Chariho Lab Report Rubric.section of the Chariho Lab Report Rubric.

Day 3: Scientific Method Practice: Day 3: Scientific Method Practice: Feedback on HypothesisFeedback on Hypothesis

On this day you will pass back the work On this day you will pass back the work from day 2 and provide some form of from day 2 and provide some form of feedback on this writing. This can be feedback on this writing. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Here accomplished in a variety of ways. Here are two examples:are two examples:1) You can grade them and give them time 1) You can grade them and give them time to make corrections based on what the to make corrections based on what the rubric says.rubric says.2) You can have them peer assess using 2) You can have them peer assess using the rubric and grade each others.the rubric and grade each others.

Day 4: Scientific Method Practice: Creating or Interpreting Day 4: Scientific Method Practice: Creating or Interpreting graphsgraphs

Analyze the graph below and write a brief summary of Analyze the graph below and write a brief summary of your analysis.your analysis.

This will be assessed using the Data and Analysis This will be assessed using the Data and Analysis section of the Chariho Lab Report Rubric.section of the Chariho Lab Report Rubric.

Day 5: Scientific Method Practice: Day 5: Scientific Method Practice: Data and Analysis FeedbackData and Analysis Feedback

On this day you will pass back the work On this day you will pass back the work from day 4 and provide some form of from day 4 and provide some form of feedback on this writing or graph. This feedback on this writing or graph. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Here are two examples:Here are two examples:1) You can grade them and give them time 1) You can grade them and give them time to make corrections based on what the to make corrections based on what the rubric says.rubric says.2) You can have them peer assess using 2) You can have them peer assess using the rubric and grade each others.the rubric and grade each others.

Day 6: Scientific Writing – Day 6: Scientific Writing – Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Using information from the nitrogen cycle, Using information from the nitrogen cycle, explain the niche of nitrogen-fixing soil explain the niche of nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria. Why are they important for life?bacteria. Why are they important for life?

This writing will be assessed using the This writing will be assessed using the Scientific Explanation Rubric / Constructed Scientific Explanation Rubric / Constructed Response Rubric.Response Rubric.

Day 7: Scientific Writing – Day 7: Scientific Writing – Critical Thinking FeedbackCritical Thinking Feedback

On this day you will pass back the work On this day you will pass back the work from day 6 and provide some form of from day 6 and provide some form of feedback on this writing or graph. This feedback on this writing or graph. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Here are two examples:Here are two examples:1) You can grade them and give them time 1) You can grade them and give them time to make corrections based on what the to make corrections based on what the rubric says.rubric says.2) You can have them peer assess using 2) You can have them peer assess using the rubric and grade each others.the rubric and grade each others.

Assessment of Balanced Assessment of Balanced Science:Science:

This 7 day cycle will result in 3 on-demand pieces of This 7 day cycle will result in 3 on-demand pieces of work. At least 1 of these pieces per cycle, should be work. At least 1 of these pieces per cycle, should be put into the class work category of your grade book put into the class work category of your grade book and it should be a piece that is graded by the and it should be a piece that is graded by the teacher not a peer graded piece. This gives you the teacher not a peer graded piece. This gives you the option to pick and choose where you use peer vs. option to pick and choose where you use peer vs. teacher feedback, but I would encourage you to teacher feedback, but I would encourage you to switch it up periodically.switch it up periodically.

You will need to create two of these 7 day cycles per You will need to create two of these 7 day cycles per quarter. This will give time for completing labs and quarter. This will give time for completing labs and also a week off for MCA testing weeks.also a week off for MCA testing weeks.