WAC+Science

Writing Assignments based on the Michigan Science Standards

West Virginia Science Writing Prompts Plainfield Writing Prompts Michigan WAC Science

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=High School- Biology- Standards 1&2=

Scientific Inquiry
KWL Charts which will help to generate new questions that can be investigated in the laboratory or field.



measurement error, the challenges of controlling variables, accuracy of data analysis, logic of argument, logic of experimental design, and/or the dependence on underlying assumptions. || Students can create a pro/con list, write an argumentative essay or formulate a debate based argument. || measures the desired quantity—length, volume, weight, time interval, temperature—with the appropriate level of precision). || Write a journalist themed report on your Science Fair Project. || data presented in charts or tables. || Science Fair Project. || emerging questions that active researchers investigate. || Write responses to current scientific news articles. ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B1.1A Generate new questions that can be investigated in the laboratory or field || Students will write a procedure to answer a scientific question and perform their own scientific investigation. ||
 * B1.1B Evaluate the uncertainties or validity of scientific conclusions using an understanding of sources of
 * B1.1C Conduct scientific investigations using appropriate tools and techniques (e.g., selecting an instrument that
 * B1.1D Identify patterns in data and relate them to theoretical models || Write storyboards to explain patterns of data. ||
 * B1.1E Describe a reason for a given conclusion using evidence from an investigation. || Write a science journal report to support your conclusion. ||
 * B1.1f Predict what would happen if the variables, methods, or timing of an investigation were changed. || Cause & Effect concept map. ||
 * B1.1g Use empirical evidence to explain and critique the reasoning used to draw a scientific conclusion or explanation. || Write an analytical review to critique a scientific conclusion. ||
 * B1.1h Design and conduct a systematic scientific investigation that tests a hypothesis. Draw conclusions from
 * B1.1i Distinguish between scientific explanations that are regarded as current scientific consensus and the

Scientific Reflection and Social Implications
Evaluate the scientific accuracy and significance of the information. ||  || current scientific consensus or core knowledge. ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B1.2A Critique whether or not specific questions can be answered through scientific investigations. || Write a chart... ||
 * B1.2B Identify and critique arguments about personal or societal issues based on scientific evidence. ||  ||
 * B1.2C Develop an understanding of a scientific concept by accessing information from multiple sources.
 * B1.2D Evaluate scientific explanations in a peer review process or discussion format. ||  ||
 * B1.2E Evaluate the future career and occupational prospects of science fields. ||  ||
 * B1.2f Critique solutions to problems, given criteria and scientific constraints. ||  ||
 * B1.2g Identify scientific tradeoffs in design decisions and choose among alternative solutions. ||  ||
 * B1.2h Describe the distinctions between scientific theories, laws, hypotheses, and observations ||  ||
 * B1.2i Explain the progression of ideas and explanations that leads to science theories that are part of the
 * B1.2j Apply science principles or scientific data to anticipate effects of technological design decisions. ||  ||
 * B1.2k Analyze how science and society interact from a historical, political, economic, or social perspective. ||  ||

Cells
(prerequisite) ||  || respiration, and excrete waste). (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * L2.p1A Distinguish between living and nonliving systems. (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * L2.p1B Explain the importance of both water and the element carbon to cells. (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * L2.p1C Describe growth and development in terms of increase in cell number, cell size, and/or cell products.
 * L2.p1D Explain how the systems in a multicellular organism work together to support the organism. (prerequisite ||  ||
 * L2.p1E Compare and contrast how different organisms accomplish similar functions (e.g., obtain oxygen for

Cell Function
matter and energy. (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * L2.p2A Describe how organisms sustain life by obtaining, transporting, transforming, releasing, and eliminating
 * L2.p2B Describe the effect of limiting food to developing cells. (prerequisite) ||  ||

Plants as Producers

 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * L2.p3A Explain the significance of carbon in organic molecules. (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * L2.p3B Explain the origins of plant mass. (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * L2.p3C Predict what would happen to plants growing in low carbon dioxide atmospheres. (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * L2.p3D Explain how the roots of specific plants grow. (prerequisite) ||  ||

Animals as Consumers

 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * L2.p4A Classify different organisms based on how they obtain energy for growth and development. (prerequisite) || Choose an Animal and write a Narrative ||
 * L2.p4B Explain how an organism obtains energy from the food it consumes. (prerequisite) ||  ||

Common Elements

 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * L2.p5A Recognize the six most common elements in organic molecules (C, H, N, O, P, S). (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * L2.p5B Identify the most common complex molecules that make up living organisms. (prerequisite) ||  ||
 * L2.p5C Predict what would happen if essential elements were withheld from developing cells. (prerequisite) ||  ||

Transformation of Matter and Energy in Cells
through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Identify the reactants and products in the general reaction of photosynthesis. ||  || and/or cell products. ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.1A Explain how cells transform energy (ultimately obtained from the sun) from one form to another
 * B2.1B Compare and contrast the transformation of matter and energy during photosynthesis and respiration. || Draw and write in a Venn diagram ||
 * B2.1C Explain cell division, growth, and development as a consequence of an increase in cell number, cell size,

Cell Differentiation
another part of the embryo. ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.1d Describe how, through cell division, cells can become specialized for specific function. || Memoir of the life of a cell ||
 * B2.1e Predict what would happen if the cells from one part of a developing embryo were transplanted to

Organic Molecules

 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.2A Explain how carbon can join to other carbon atoms in chains and rings to form large and complex molecules. ||  ||
 * B2.2B Recognize the six most common elements in organic molecules (C, H, N, O, P, S). ||  ||
 * B2.2C Describe the composition of the four major categories of organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids). ||  ||
 * B2.2D Explain the general structure and primary functions of the major complex organic molecules that compose living organisms. ||  ||
 * B2.2E Describe how dehydration and hydrolysis relate to organic molecules. ||  ||

Proteins
carries oxygen in some organisms, digestive enzymes, and hormones). ||  || the possible impact of this type of transfer. ||   ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.2f Explain the role of enzymes and other proteins in biochemical functions (e.g., the protein hemoglobin
 * B2.2g Propose how moving an organism to a new environment may influence its ability to survive and predict

Maintaining Environmental Stability
media type="youtube" key="OqVyRa1iuMc?rel=0" height="234" width="412" (acidity), to perform life functions. ||  || continuation of life. ||  || the presence of disease agents. ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.3A Describe how cells function in a narrow range of physical conditions, such as temperature and pH
 * B2.3B Describe how the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment is required for the
 * B2.3C Explain how stability is challenged by changing physical, chemical, and environmental conditions as well as

Homeostasis
reproduction, circulation, excretion, protection from disease, and movement, control, and coordination) and describe ways that these systems interact with each other. || Write ditties or jingles to help with learning process Write scripts for various functions and act out the play || and blood sugar). ||  || (e.g., human joints to hinges, enzyme and substrate to interlocking puzzle pieces). ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.3d Identify the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration,
 * B2.3e Describe how human body systems maintain relatively constant internal conditions (temperature, acidity,
 * B2.3f Explain how human organ systems help maintain human health. ||  ||
 * B2.3g Compare the structure and function of a human body system or subsystem to a nonliving system

Cell Specialization
of DNA sequence) evidence. ||  || function and yet the end result is the same (e.g., excreting nitrogenous wastes in animals, obtaining oxygen for respiration). ||  || (gills vs. lungs vs. membranes). ||   || cellular characteristics and functional processes. ||   || themselves made up of elements joined by energy-containing bonds, such as those in ATP. ||   || mitochondria, and in plants, chloroplasts. ||   ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.4A Explain that living things can be classified based on structural, embryological, and molecular (relatedness
 * B2.4B Describe how various organisms have developed different specializations to accomplish a particular
 * B2.4C Explain how different organisms accomplish the same result using different structural specializations
 * B2.4d Analyze the relationships among organisms based on their shared physical, biochemical, genetic, and
 * B2.4e Explain how cellular respiration is important for the production of ATP (build on aerobic vs. anaerobic). ||  ||
 * B2.4f Recognize and describe that both living and nonliving things are composed of compounds, which are
 * B2.4g Explain that some structures in the modern eukaryotic cell developed from early prokaryotes, such as
 * B2.4h Describe the structures of viruses and bacteria. ||  ||
 * B2.4i Recognize that while viruses lack cellular structure, they have the genetic material to invade living cells ||  ||

Living Organism Composition
between organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms. Relate these to molecular functions. ||  || photosynthesis. ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.5A Recognize and explain that macromolecules such as lipids contain high energy bonds. ||  ||
 * B2.5B Explain how major systems and processes work together in animals and plants, including relationships
 * B2.5C Describe how energy is transferred and transformed from the Sun to energy-rich molecules during
 * B2.5D Describe how individual cells break down energy-rich molecules to provide energy for cell functions. ||  ||

Energy Transfer
degradation. ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.5e Explain the interrelated nature of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of ATP synthesis and
 * B2.5f Relate plant structures and functions to the process of photosynthesis and respiration. ||  ||
 * B2.5g Compare and contrast plant and animal cells. ||  ||
 * B2.5h Explain the role of cell membranes as a highly selective barrier (diffusion, osmosis, and active transport). ||  ||
 * B2.5i Relate cell parts/organelles to their function. ||  ||

Internal/External Cell Regulation
maintain both short- and long-term equilibrium. ||  || of activities, such as growth and division. Note that cell behavior can also be affected by molecules from other parts of the organism, such as hormones. (recommended) ||  || their diverse activities. (recommended) ||  || that their maintenance requires a constant input of energy as well as new material. (recommended) ||  || (recommended) ||  ||
 * Standard || Writing Assignment Examples ||
 * B2.6a Explain that the regulatory and behavioral responses of an organism to external stimuli occur in order to
 * B2.r6b Explain that complex interactions among the different kinds of molecules in the cell cause distinct cycles
 * B2.r6c Recognize and explain that communication and/or interaction are required between cells to coordinate
 * B2.r6d Explain how higher levels of organization result from specific complex interactions of smaller units and
 * B2.r6e Analyze the body’s response to medical interventions such as organ transplants, medicines, and inoculations.