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The A+LS Science curriculum is a comprehensive, completely integrated science curriculum for grade levels 1-12. A sequence of nine titles provides for an extensive, integrated solution that is fully correlated to major mastery standards and leading, adopted textbooks.
The Science titles deliver knowledge in Science Skills utilizing a four-step approach: Study, Practice, Test, and Essay modules are utilized to define the instructional environment. The Study module provides a text- and graphics-based delivery of knowledge. In this module, pictures and diagrams are utilized to present and reinforce important concepts. Each of the lessons in the Study modules contain a wealth of content and graphic support. The graphic images all magnify to full screen size to concisely present and reinforce these concepts. The Practice module provides the student an opportunity, in a non-scored and non-graded environment, to practice skills acquired through studying. Engaging, interactive feedback prompts the student to right answers when wrong answers to questions are entered, and the student has instant access to the Study material for reference. All questions in the Practice module are drawn from a bank of approximately 30 questions through an algorithm which randomizes question selection to prevent duplication. In the Test module, the student takes a scored examination, the results of which are recorded in the A+LS Management System. Upon completion of the Test, the student electronically "turns in" their test and may instantly see test results and the correct answers to questions missed. Questions can be in "multiple-choice" or "fill-in-the-blank" format. The Essay module allows the student to compose individual, free-form answers to a wide variety of questions and problems.
| LESSON # | LESSON TITLE | LESSON CONTENT |
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Biology Themes | Definition of Biology, living and nonliving things, characteristics of organisms, uses of energy, identification of the scientific method, deductive and inductive reasoning. |
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Observation & Measurement | Using diagrams, charts, and tables to display information, comparison of uses of pie charts, line charts, bar graphs, etc. measurement of metric mass and length, area, and volume. |
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Chemistry in Life | Atoms and elements, electrons, orbital shells, atomic mass, the periodic table, chemical properties, atomic numbers, energy skills, ionic and covalent bonds, compounds, organic and inorganic molecules, chemical reactions. |
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Cells Form Organisms | Cell theory, cell parts, cell structures and functions, specialized cell structures. |
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Cells at Work | Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell membranes, active and passive transport, hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions. |
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Cell Processes | Binary fission, mitosis, interphase, prophase, metaphase, and telophase, meiosis, steps in meiosis. |
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Respiration & Replication | Chromosomal replication, comparison of DNA and RNA, RNA types, homeostasis, respiration, photosynthesis, light reaction and the Calvin cycle. |
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Heredity and Genetics 1 | Sexual and asexual reproduction, binary fission, budding, regeneration, Mendel, contrasting traits, homozygous and heterozygous traits, dominance and recessiveness. |
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Heredity and Genetics 2 | Hybrids, dihybrids, determining sex, sex-linked traits, law of dominance, law of segregation, law of independent association. |
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Classification in Life | Taxonomy, populations, Linnaeus and the Taxonomic Theory of Hierarchy, scientific naming, identification of five kingdoms and eight phyla. |
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Monerans and Viruses | Bacterial reproduction, eubacteria, decomposers, helpful and harmful bacteria, monera characteristics, requirements for survival, bacterial shapes, comparing bacteria and viruses, viral diseases, lytic viruses, scientific contributions of famous bacteria fighters. |
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Protists | Identification of protists, protozoans, and protist phyla, paramecia, sexual and asexual reproduction in paramecia, life cycle of plasmodia, flagellates, symbiotic relationships, euglenoids. |
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Fungi | Mycology, characteristics of fungi, identification of chitin and hyphae, fungi phyla, the importance of fungi to humans, fungal diseases. |
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Nonvascular Plants | General plant characteristics, algae, similarities, the vascular system, bryophytes, mosses, the life cycle of moss, the importance of bryophytes to humans. |
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Vascular Plants | Comparison of tracheophytes and bryophytes the vascular system, vascular tissue, seedless plants, the fern life cycle, vascular plants with seeds, gymnosperms, conifers, cycades, gingkoes, characteristics of monocots and dicots, artificial reproduction. |
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The Flowering Plants | Flower parts, structures, life cycle of the flowering plant, fertilization, pollination, agents of pollination, simple and compound fruits. |
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Seeds, Roots, and Stems | Seeds and seed dispersal, seed features, roots and root structures, stem and leaf types. |
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Porifera | Animal traits, coelomates, pseudocoelomates, acoelomates, sponges, the importance of the ocean to sponges. |
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Cnidaria | Cnidarian characteristics, sexual and asexual reproduction, classification of corals, coral reef formations. |
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Mollusks | Characteristics of mollusks, classes of mollusks, clams, scallops, oysters, snails, conches, abalone, slugs, octopus, squid, nautili, reproduction in mollusks. |
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Echinoderms | Starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. |
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The Worm Phyla | Major worm phyla, characteristics and classes of flatworms, planaria, nematodes, annelids, parasites and free-living worms, excretory, respiratory, nervous, circulatory, and reproductive systems of worms, diseases caused by worms. |
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Arthropods 1 | The exoskeleton, molting, stages of complete and incomplete metamorphosis, digestive systems of arthropods, arthropod respiration, circulation and reproduction, diseases caused by arthropods, classes of arthropods. |
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Arthropods 2 | Crustaceans, diplopoda, chilopoda, insecta, and arachnids, Internal and external functions, digestion, circulation, excretion, senses and reproduction. |
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The Insect Phyla | Internal and external insect functions, digestion, circulation, excretion, senses and reproduction, silk glands, characteristics of insects, mouth and wing types. |
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Vertebrates - Fish 1 | Chordates, characteristics of fish, jaw types, skin and scales, cartilage and bone structures, external structures. |
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Vertebrates - Fish 2 | Nervous, circulatory and reproductive systems of fish, symbiosis in fish, special adaptations in fish. |
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Vertebrates - Amphibians | Amphibian orders, external and internal structures, muscular system, digestion, respiration, nervous, and reproductive systems in amphibians, frogs, toads, salamanders, and other amphibians. |
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Vertebrates - Reptiles 1 | Lizards, turtles, gila monsters, komoda dragons, and other large reptiles. Characteristics and body systems, skin types, extinct reptiles. |
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Vertebrates - Reptiles 2 | Snakes, reptile orders, venomous snakes, endangered reptiles. |
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Vertebrates - Birds | Characteristics of birds, feather types and functions, wing structures, beaks and bills, adaptive feet, flight, digestive, skeletal, circulatory, nervous, and reproductive systems of birds. Migration and birds. |
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Vertebrates - Mammals | Characteristics of mammals, circulation, digestive, nervous, reproductive systems, body coverings, teeth types, mammal orders and characteristics. |
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The Human Body | Review of body support systems, muscle types, circulation, respiration, digestion, and excretion in various organisms. Introduction to the human body systems. |
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Human Locomotion | Body tissues and types, skeletal support, identification of bones in the human body and their types, arm and leg parts and appendages, joints, muscle types and function. |
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The Nervous System | The spinal cord and brain, sensory and motor neurons, nerve impulses, the brain parts, the brain stem, the peripheral nervous system, reflexes, and senses. |
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Circulation & Respiration | The heart, blood flow through the heart, arteries and veins, capillaries, blood pressure, blood composition, blood types, the Rh factor, internal and external respiration, cellular respiration, breathing. |
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Digestion & Excretion | The digestive process, teeth types and functions, enzymes, the stomach, absorption, nutrients, importance of water in digestion and excretion, vitamins, minerals and their importance, kidneys and their functions, nephrons. |
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Endocrine & Reproduction | Endocrine glands and functions, exocrine glands, the female reproductive system, menstruation, the male reproductive system, hormones and functions, fertilization and fetal development, gestation and childbirth. |
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Social Issues in Biology | Social behavior in animals, innate and learned behavior, conditioning, usage and effects of usage. Infectious diseases and causes and treatment, our biosphere, global warming, overpopulation, waste management, destruction of rainforests, endangered species, the ozone layer, solutions to problems. |
