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Biology Inquiry 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 1–2Unit 1: Intro to BiologyStem Challenge (1 day); Stem Challenge (1 day); The Scientific Method (5 days)
Lab Safety (2 days)		• Build a free-standing structure that supports a marshmallow and build a launch system for a toy army man.
• List the steps of the scientific method.
• List and describe materials and equipment found in the science lab.
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Weeks 3–4Unit 1: Intro to BiologyCharacteristics of Living Things (3 days); Microscopes (2 days); Review (2 days)
Test (1 day)		• List the characteristics of life.
• Identify microscope parts and describe different types of microscopes.
• Review all Intro to Biology topics; complete the Intro to Biology test.
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Weeks 5–6Unit 2: Chemistry in BiologyAtoms, Ions and Molecules (1 day); Covalent and Ionic Bonds (1 day)
Properties of Water (1 day); pH (1 day); Chemical Reactions (1 day)
Physical and Chemical Changes (2 days); Enzymes (2 days); Toothpick-ase (2 days)
Test Review (1 day); Test (1 day)		• Describe atomic structure; compare covalent and ionic bonds; describe cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension; identify properties of acids and bases.
• Define a chemical reaction and its parts; make predictions, record observations, and form conclusions about physical evidence in physical and chemical changes.
• Define and describe enzyme function and demonstrate how an enzyme works. Assessments: Test Review and Test.
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Weeks 7–8Unit 3: CellsCell Theory (1 day); Cell Organelles (1 day); Comapring Plant and Animal Cells (3 days)
Osmosis and Diffusion (3 days); Gummy Bear Lab (2 days); Review Cells (2 days)
Test on Cells (1 day)		• List and describe scientists who contributed to cell theory; list and describe plant and animal cell organelles; compare plant and animal cells.
• Understand and demonstrate osmosis and diffusion as processes that help maintain homeostasis; demonstrate osmosis and diffusion in the Gummy Bear Lab.
• Review all unit topics and demonstrate mastery on the Cells test.
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Weeks 9–10Unit 4: Photosynthesis & Cellular RespirationEnergy and photosynthesis (1 day); Photosynthesis comic strip (2 days)
Chromatography lab (2 days); Cell Respiration (2 days); Muslce Fatigue Lab (1 day)
Cell Respiration Balloon Lab (2 days); Test Review (2 days); Test (1 day)		• Define ATP and describe how cells use it.
• Describe how photosynthesis produces sugars that store chemical energy; demonstrate that leaves contain pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoids through the Chromatography lab.
• Remaining source lessons/assessments: Cell Respiration, Muslce Fatigue Lab, Cell Respiration Balloon Lab, Test Review, and Test.
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Weeks 11–12Unit 5: DNA - Structure & FunctionThe History of DNA (1 day); The Structure of DNA (2 days); DNA Replication (2 days)
Transcription and Translation (2 days)		• List and describe scientists responsible for discovering DNA structure and function.
• Identify DNA as the molecule carrying genetic information; describe the double helix, phosphate/deoxyribose/nitrogen-base components, and A–T/C–G base pairing.
• Explain DNA replication purpose and steps; identify helicase, DNA polymerase, primase, and ligase; distinguish leading and lagging strands and the role of Okazaki fragments.
• Define transcription and translation, identify where they occur and the major molecules involved, explain DNA → RNA → protein, and describe transcription steps from RNA polymerase binding through termination.
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Weeks 13–14Unit 5: DNA - Structure & FunctionDNA Extraction Lab (1 day); Protein Synthesis (2 days); Mutations (3 days)
Test Review (2 days); Test (1 day)		• Observe that DNA is present in food; use a simple DNA-extraction method, explain why each step is necessary, and explain why scientists extract DNA.
• Define protein synthesis and its transcription/translation stages; describe the roles of DNA, mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, ribosomes, and amino acids; explain DNA → RNA → protein and how information flows from genes to traits.
• Define gene mutation versus chromosomal mutation; identify substitution, insertion, deletion, frameshift, silent, missense, and nonsense mutations; explain replication/environmental causes and effects on protein synthesis and traits.
• Review DNA Structure and Function; complete the DNA test.
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Weeks 15–16Unit 6: Biotechnology/ForensicsIntro to Crime Scenes (1 day); Physical Evidence (1 day)
Class vs. Individual Evidence (1 day); Classes of Fingerprints (3 days)
Intro to Blood & Blood Spatter (3 days)		• Source lesson sequence: Intro to Crime Scenes; Physical Evidence; Class vs. Individual Evidence; Classes of Fingerprints; Intro to Blood & Blood Spatter.
• No SWBAT objectives are provided in the source workbook for these lessons.
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Weeks 17–18Unit 6: Biotechnology/ForensicsDNA Fingerprinting (2 days); Forensics Review (1 day); Forensics Test (1 day)
Midterm Review (1 day); Midterms (4 days)		• Source lesson sequence includes DNA Fingerprinting.
• Assessments/review: Forensics Review, Forensics Test, Midterm Review, and Midterms.
• No SWBAT objectives are provided in the source workbook for these lessons.
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Weeks 19–20Unit 7: Mitosis & The Cell CycleIntro to Cell Division (3 days); Mitosis (3 days); Cell Cycle Regulation (3 days)
Mitosis Review (2 days); Mitosis Quiz (1 day)		• Explain the cell cycle and its importance for growth, repair, and maintenance; identify and describe interphase stages G1, S, and G2.
• Explain each phase of mitosis and the role of cytokinesis, including differences in plant and animal cells.
• Describe cell-cycle regulation using checkpoints, cyclins, and CDKs; explain checkpoint purpose and what can happen when regulation fails, including cancer.
• Review mitosis topics; complete the Mitosis Quiz.
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Weeks 21–22Unit 8: GeneticsReproduction and Chromosomes (2 days); Meiosis (2 days)
Comparing Meiosis and Mitosis (2 days); Meiosis Review (2 days); Meiosis Quiz (1 day)		• Compare asexual and sexual reproduction, including advantages and disadvantages; define haploid and diploid and their importance in meiosis/mitosis.
• Describe meiosis and how it produces gametes with half the chromosome number.
• Compare meiosis and mitosis by chromosome number, number of daughter cells, and genetic variation.
• Review mitosis/meiosis topics; complete the Meiosis Quiz.
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Weeks 23–24Unit 8: GeneticsInventory of Traits (1 day); History of Genetics (1 day); Phenotype vs. Genotype (1 day)
Monohybrids and Punnett Square (3 days); Marshmallow Genetics (1 day)
Non Mendelain Genetics (1 day); Incomplete Domiance (2 days)		• List and describe personal traits and how they are inherited; describe real-life applications of genetics; define and practice writing phenotypes and genotypes.
• Construct monohybrid Punnett squares, calculate genotype/phenotype ratios, and interpret probability outcomes using percentages and ratios.
• Demonstrate meiosis, fertilization, alleles, recessive/dominant traits, and genotype/phenotype relationships in Marshmallow Genetics.
• Explain that some traits do not follow simple Mendelian dominance and define incomplete dominance as blending of two alleles in a heterozygous organism.
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Weeks 25–26Unit 8: GeneticsCodomiance (2 days); Genetic Disorders (5 days); Sex-Linked Traits (4 days)• Define codominance as both alleles being expressed in the phenotype.
• Research a genetic disorder and create a Google Slides presentation based on the research.
• Define a sex-linked trait as a trait controlled by a gene on a sex chromosome, usually the X chromosome, and explain why males are more likely to express X-linked recessive traits.
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Weeks 27–28Unit 8: GeneticsGenetic Disorders (2 days); Pedigrees (3 days); Genetics Review (4 days)
Genetics Test (2 days)		• Genetic Disorders lesson is included; no SWBAT objective is provided for that lesson in the source workbook.
• Explain what a pedigree chart is and how it tracks inherited traits through generations; describe how pedigrees help scientists study inheritance in families.
• Review all Genetics topics; complete the Genetics Test.
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Weeks 29–30Unit 9: EvolutionDarwin's Theory of Natural Selection (3 days); Variation in a population (2 days)
Natural Selection M&M Lab (2 days)		• Define natural selection and explain how differential survival and reproduction change populations over time.
• Define variation and why individuals differ; identify mutation, crossing over, independent assortment, fertilization, and gene flow as sources of genetic variation; distinguish inherited from environmental variation and give examples within a species.
• Explain how variation supports survival, natural selection, and evolution; interpret simple data/graphs showing variation and predict how environmental change may favor certain variations.
• Natural Selection M&M Lab is included; no separate SWBAT objective is provided for that lesson.
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Weeks 31–32Unit 9: EvolutionEvidence for Evolution (5 days); Evolution Project (3 days)
Evolution of Populations (2 days)		• Source lesson sequence: Evidence for Evolution; Evolution Project; Evolution of Populations.
• No SWBAT objectives are provided in the source workbook for these lessons.
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Weeks 33–34Unit 9: EvolutionGenetic Drift (3 days); Evolution Test Review (3 days); Evolution Test (1 day)• Source lesson sequence: Genetic Drift; Evolution Test Review; Evolution Test.
• No SWBAT objectives are provided in the source workbook for these lessons.
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Weeks 35–36Unit 10: ClassificationAnimal Classification (1 day); Intro to the Classification of Living Things (2 days)
6 Kingdoms of Life (2 days); Final Exam Review (3 days)		• Source lesson sequence: Animal Classification; Intro to the Classification of Living Things; 6 Kingdoms of Life; Final Exam Review.
• No SWBAT objectives are provided in the source workbook for these lessons.
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