Unit 3 – Modeling Mitosis & Meiosis Roadmap

HS-LS-1-4 Use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system to
illustrate the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms.
HS-LS-3-2 Make and defend a claim based on evidence about the natural world that reflects scientific knowledge, and student-
generated evidence. Inheritable genetic variations may result from: (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2)
viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.

Content/The Science Learning Targets:
• I can explain the function mitosis.
• I can explain and model how differentiation is used to maintain the life of a complex organism.
• I can explain the function meiosis.
• I can explain how genetic variation occurs in meiosis.
• I can explain the similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis.

Performance Indicators Emerging Progressing Meets Exemplary

(5-6) (7) (8) (9-10)

7a –The student can infer the The student can The student can identify The student can infer the The student can apply the
functions and properties of list functions functions and properties functions and properties of functions and properties of
natural and designed objects and properties of natural and designed natural and designed objects natural and designed
and systems from their of natural and objects and systems from and systems from their objects and systems from
overall structure, the way designed their overall structure the overall structure the way their overall structure the
their components are objects and way their components are their components are used, way their components are
shaped and used, and the systems from used, and the molecular and the molecular used, and the molecular
molecular substructures of their overall substructures of their substructures of their substructures of their
their various materials. structure. various materials. various materials. various materials in a new
situation to solve a
problem.

2a. The student can identify The student can The student can identify The student can identify The student can justify
patterns at each of the scales recognize a patterns at each of the patterns at each of the scales their explanations and
at which a system is studied pattern at scales at which a system is at which a system is studied causality using evidence
and provide explanations which a system studied. The student can and provide explanations about their classifications
and causality of phenomena. is studied. compare one scale to and causality of phenomena. of patterns as well as apply
Classifications or another. Classifications or patterns to different scales.
explanations used at one explanations used at one
scale may need revision scale may need revision
when transitioned to when transitioned to
another scale. another scale.

3b The student can suggest The student can The student can use cause The student can suggest The student can connect
cause and effect identify cause and effect relationships to cause and effect cause and effect
relationships to explain and and effect explain behaviors in relationships to explain and relationships in complex,
predict behaviors in relationships in complex, natural, and predict behaviors in natural, and designed
complex, natural, and complex, designed systems. complex, natural, and systems.
designed systems. natural, and designed systems.
designed
systems.












Scientific Practice/Skills

Emerging Progressing Meets Exemplary

(5-6) (7) (8) (9-10)

Design of the model Design of the model includes Design of the model Design of the model exhibits
Develop a includes major errors or minor errors or omissions. supports explanation. exceptional understanding of
Model omissions. the concepts to support
explanation.

Evaluation contains major Evaluation contains minor Evaluation includes Evaluation thoroughly
errors or omissions. errors or omissions. accuracies and limitations. describes how the model is
accurate and explains it
Use Recommendations are Includes some ideas/ Includes several specific limitations.
a vague, nonspecific, and recommendations for recommendations for
Model show little understanding of revision. revision. Recommendations are
the purpose of models. specific, purposeful, and
would add to the usefulness
of the model.

FINAL PRODUCT
How is cell division important to living things? After researching and gathering information about cell division, DEVELOP A MODEL in which
you COMPARE and CONTRAST mitosis and meiosis that would help a 5th grader understand how organisms maintain aspects of life. Your
model must demonstrate mastery and understanding of the learning targets.