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Biology Honors Pacing Guide
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Two-week summary of major instructional content and skills • 36 instructional weeks
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Week(s)Unit / TextMajor ContentMajor Skills and Assessments
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Weeks 1–2Intro to BiologyStem Challenge • Stem Challenge • The Scientific Method • Lab SafetyBuild a marshmallow-supporting free-standing structure and a toy-army-man launch system; list the steps of the scientific method; list and describe science-lab materials and equipment.
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Weeks 3–4Intro to Biology
Chemistry in Biology		Characteristics of Living Things • Microscopes • Review • Test • Atoms, Ions and MoleculesList characteristics of life; identify microscope parts and types; review and test Intro to Biology; describe atomic structure.
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Weeks 5–6Chemistry in BiologyCovalent and Ionic Bonds • Properties of Water and pH • Chemical Reactions • Physical and Chemical Changes • Enzymes • Toothpick-ase • Test Review • TestCompare covalent and ionic bonds; describe water properties and acid/base properties; define chemical reactions; make predictions, record observations, and form conclusions from physical evidence; define and demonstrate enzyme action; chemistry review and test.
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Weeks 7–8CellsThe Cell Theory • Cell Organelles • The Basic Unit of Life • Plant and Animal Cells • Osmosis & Diffusion • Cell Transport LabDescribe Cell Theory contributors and plant/animal organelles; use microscopes to observe living/once-living material and locate cell wall, membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus, and chloroplasts; compare plant/animal cells; demonstrate osmosis/diffusion and homeostasis.
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Weeks 9–10Cells
Photosynthesis & Cell Respiration		Test Review • Test • Energy and photosynthesis • Photosynthesis • Floating Leaf Disk • Lights and Pigments • Structure of Leaves • Cellular RespirationReview and test the Cells unit; define ATP and describe how cells use it.
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Weeks 11–12Photosynthesis & Cell Respiration
DNA - Structure and Function		Cellular Respiration Balloon Lab • Fermentation • Test Review • Test • The History of DNA • The Structure of DNAPhotosynthesis & Cell Respiration review and test; describe scientists tied to DNA discovery; identify DNA as genetic material and describe its double helix, components, and A–T/C–G base pairing.
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Weeks 13–14DNA - Structure and FunctionDNA Replication • Transcription and Translation • DNA Extraction Lab • Protein Synthesis • MutationsExplain DNA replication purpose, enzymes, stages, and leading/lagging strands; explain transcription/translation locations, molecules, central dogma, and transcription stages; extract DNA and explain each step; describe mutation types, causes, and effects on proteins/traits.
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Weeks 15–16DNA - Structure and Function
Mitosis & The Cell Cycle		Test Review • Test • Intro to Cell Division • MitosisReview and test DNA; explain the cell cycle's role in growth/repair and identify interphase G1, S, and G2; explain mitosis phases and cytokinesis in plant vs. animal cells.
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Weeks 17–18Mitosis & The Cell CycleCell Cycle Regulation • Mitosis Review • Mitosis Quiz • Midterm ReviewExplain cell-cycle regulation by checkpoints, cyclins, and CDKs, including failed regulation and cancer; mitosis review and quiz; first-semester midterm review.
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Weeks 19–20Mitosis & The Cell Cycle
Genetics		Midterms • Reproduction and Chromosomes • Meiosis • Comparing Meiosis and MitosisMidterms; compare sexual/asexual reproduction, including advantages/disadvantages; explain haploid/diploid chromosome states and meiosis; compare mitosis and meiosis by chromosome number, daughter cells, and genetic variation.
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Weeks 21–22GeneticsTest Review • Test • Intro to Mendelian Genetics • Basic Punnett Square • Finding Phenotypes and Genotypes for One Trait • Marshmallow GeneticsReview/test mitosis and meiosis; explain Mendel, core genetics terms, independent assortment, and homozygous/heterozygous genotypes; solve monohybrid Punnett squares and ratios/probabilities; compare expected vs. observed genotype/phenotype results; model meiosis, fertilization, alleles, dominance, and genotype vs. phenotype.
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Weeks 23–24GeneticsMendel's Principles and Dihybrids • Codominance and Incomplete Dominance • Sex-Linked Traits • PedigreesExplain Mendel's inheritance work, key genetics terms, independent assortment, and homozygous/heterozygous genotypes; distinguish incomplete dominance from codominance; explain sex-linked traits and why males more often express X-linked recessive traits; use pedigrees to track family inheritance.
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Weeks 25–26GeneticsMutations and Genetic Disorders • Karyotyping • Genetics Review • Genetics TestDefine genetic disorders as gene/chromosome mutation conditions and describe basic effects; define karyotypes and use them to analyze chromosome number/structure; genetics review and test.
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Weeks 27–28Genetics
Evolution		Genetic Disorders • Intro to the Theory of Evolution • Darwin's Theory of Natural SelectionResearch a genetic disorder and create a Google Slides presentation; define evolution, natural selection, and common ancestry; explain evolutionary change through differential survival and reproduction.
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Weeks 29–30EvolutionEvidence for Evolution • Understanding Homology and Analogy • Evolution of Populations • Speciation • Types of SpeciationExplain multiple lines of evidence for evolution, including homology/analogy; define population genetics, gene pools, and allele/genotype frequencies; explain speciation, the biological species concept, micro/macro-evolution, and types of speciation.
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Weeks 31–32EvolutionHardy-Weinberg Equilibrium • Patterns of Evolution • Disruptions to Genetic Equilibrium • Worm Dissection • Genetic Drift • Evolution ProjectDefine and apply Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; identify its five conditions; calculate allele/genotype frequencies with p+q=1 and p²+2pq+q²=1; assess equilibrium and how violations can drive evolution; Evolution Project.
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Weeks 33–34Evolution
Classification		Patterns of Natural Selection • Grasshopper and Crayfish Dissection • Evolution Test Review • Evolution Test • Animal Classification • Intro to the Classification of Living Things • 6 Kingdoms of Life • Modern TaxonomyGrasshopper and Crayfish Dissection; Evolution Test Review and Evolution Test.
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Weeks 35–36ClassificationFrog Dissection • Dichotomous Key • Shark Dichotomous Key • Pig Dissection • Dissection Review • Dissection Quiz • Final Exam ReviewFrog Dissection; Dichotomous Key; Shark Dichotomous Key; Pig Dissection; Dissection Review; Dissection Quiz; Final Exam Review.
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