The Study of Life (8 weeks)
- Explain several branches of life science.
- Illustrate how science and technology are related.
- Use the scientific method to solve problems.
- Compare and contrast hypothesis and theory.
- Apply safety rules to specific laboratory activities.
- Apply proper procedures for handling and using field and laboratory equipment.
- Use correctly the metric tools and measurements.
- Give examples of and discuss the importance of life processes for survival.
- Recognize and illustrate the functions of the different organic compounds to living things.
- Explain how organisms get energy from metabolism.
- Compare and contrast different hypotheses about how life began.
- Describe the basic cell structure found in most organisms.
- Explain how cell functions work and depend on cell structure.
- Use the modern system of classification.
- Explain how scientists name organisms and use this method.

Simple Organisms (4-5 weeks)
- Compare and contrast monerans and viruses.
- Discuss the importance of each.
- Individual report on a moneran (including scientific name, effect on other organisms, how it penetrates, and how to get rid of it, etc.).
- Explore bacteria in everyday surroundings by growing it in agar.
- Describe the characteristics of protists.
- Distinguish between the four groups of protozoa and algae.
- Describe the characteristics of fungi.

Plants (6 weeks)
- Compare and contrast the major characteristics of both vascular and nonvascular plants.
- Distinguish between and recognize the main types of roots, stems, leaves and their parts.
- List the functions of roots, stems, and leaves.
- Compare photosynthesis and respiration.
- Identify and investigate tropisms.
- Give examples of vegetative propagation in plants.
- Compare and contrast the major nonflowering plants.
- Identify several local examples.
- Describe the major characteristics of angiosperms.
- Identify the parts and state the functions of flower and seed parts.
- Explain the process of fertilization and the importance of flower structure to it.
- Compare and identify common monocots and dicots.

Animals (10 weeks)
- Describe and recognize the main characteristics of animals.
- Name, describe and use the levels of animal organization.
- Describe, compare and contrast, and identify the structures and functions of the bodies of simple invertebrates, complex invertebrates, and vertebrates.
- Compare and contrast how each of the above moves, gets food, and reproduces.
- Describe some of the adaptations of these animals.
- Discuss ways in which these organisms affect humans.
- Discuss ways in which humans affect these organisms.
- Create a three-dimensional model of an invertebrate.
- Research and describe the anatomy of segmented worms, insects, fish, and amphibians by dissecting examples of each.

Ecology (3+ weeks)
- Discuss and identify the characteristics of an ecosystem.
- Discuss and be able to recognize factors that change communities over time.
- Describe, identify and discuss the factors that determine the different biomes.
- List and give examples of ways that organisms are adapted to their biomes.
- Summarize the steps and illustrate the importance of the water, carbon dioxide/oxygen, and nitrogen cycles.
- Explore the human place in and effect on the biosphere.

Heredity (2 weeks -- not always used)
- Identify some of the basic principles of genetics.
- Use the Punnett squares to predict the results of crosses that involve dominant and recessive genes.
- Explain how genes determine traits.
- Describe the causes and effects of mutations.
- Research genetic engineering.