Biology Blueprint SAI Scope Sequence SAI Biology Blueprint
Revised Scope & Sequence for Specialized Academic Instruction
Level: Tier 2 & 3 Support
Reading Level: Grade 5 Equivalent
Visual Aids
Hands-On Learning
Scaffolded Content
Semester 1: Foundations of Life
Timeline Essential Standards & Goals Tier 2 Scaffolds (Targeted) Tier 3 Accommodations (Intensive) Week 1 Introductions Classroom Community
I can learn the lab rules. I can meet my science team and use tools safely.
Goal: Building safety and belonging.
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Visual Schedule: Pictorial breakdown of the first week's routine.Group Roles: Labeled role cards (e.g., "Recorder", "Organizer").
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Safety Checklist: Personalized binder with lab safety icons.Hands-On Station: Physical exploration of "What is a Scientist?" objects.Social Scaffolds: Sentence frames for peer introductions.
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| Weeks 2-4
HS-LS4-1 (Focus)
I can use science tools to collect facts and show what I learned in a graph.
Essential Skill: Using data to solve puzzles.
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Graphic Organizers: Fill-in-the-blank lab reports.Visual Guides: Step-by-step photos for using microscopes.Chunking: Break labs into 3 small steps.
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Errorless Learning: Pre-labeled graph axes.Hands-On: Sorting "Facts" vs. "Guesses" card game.Vocabulary: Visual word wall with emojis for "Tools".
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| Weeks 5-8
HS-LS1-1, HS-LS1-6
I can find the 4 big molecules in my food. I know that enzymes "speed up" the body.
Essential Skill: Matching molecules to their jobs.
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Color-Coding: Use specific colors for Proteins, Fats, Carbs.Comparison: Use "Lock and Key" puzzles for enzymes.
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Real-Life Models: Sort food items into molecule bins.Visual Aids: "Enzyme Speed" video clips without complex narration.Sentence Starters: "Proteins help my body by ____."
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| Weeks 9-12
HS-LS1-2, HS-LS1-7
I can name the parts of a cell. I know that cells are like tiny factories with special jobs.
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Analogy Map: Compare cell parts to school building parts.Guided Notes: Diagram of cell with first letter cues.
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3D Modeling: Create "Jello Cells" or edible cell models.Touch Learning: Use tactile materials for the cell membrane.Reduced Content: Focus only on Nucleus, Mitochondria, and Wall.
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Semester 2: Inheritance & Change
Timeline Essential Standards & Goals Tier 2 Scaffolds (Targeted) Tier 3 Accommodations (Intensive) Weeks 1-8 DNA & Traits HS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-3
I can see how DNA gives instructions. I can use a square to guess what traits a baby will have.
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Templates: Color-coded Punnett Squares.Visual Coding: Match "A" to "T" and "C" to "G" with colors.
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Manipulatives: Lego DNA models or candy strands.Picture Math: Use pictures of blue/brown eyes instead of letters.Symmetry: Matching halves of DNA strands.
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| Weeks 9-12
HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-5
I can explain how animals change to survive in their homes. (Adaptation).
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Case Studies: Photos of "Before" and "After" species change.Simulations: Digital "Natural Selection" games.
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Game-Based Learning: "Beak Lab" using different tools to pick up seeds.Sorting: Match animals to their environments (Cold vs Hot).
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| Weeks 18-21
HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-4
I can show how energy moves through a Food Web. I know how to help nature.
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Web Building: Use yarn to connect animal cards in class.Pictographs: Energy pyramids with icon labels.
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Dioramas: Build a mini-ecosystem in a box.Visual Flow: Large arrows showing "Who eats Who".Real-World: Planting seeds and tracking growth.
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Core Instructional Strategy Adjustments
Language Scaffolds
• No-Jargon Policy: All multi-syllable terms paired with 5th-grade synonyms.
• Word Banks: Provided for every writing task or quiz.
• Visual Cues: Every lab step has a matching icon.
Assessment Scaffolds
• Reduced Options: Multiple choice limited to 2-3 answers.
• Oral Response: Option to record audio for "Write an Explanation".
• Project Focus: Heavy weight on models and hands-on tasks over tests.
Biology Prerequisites
Students should demonstrate emerging or master level skills in these foundational areas for safety and success in this SAI course.
Social & Safety
• Follows 2-step visual directions.
• Demonstrates tool impulse control.
• Works in small groups (15+ min).
• Recognizes basic safety signs.
Foundational Science
• Distinguishes Living vs. Non-Living.
• Identifies the 5 Senses.
• Recognizes local plants/animals.
• Understands basic cause and effect.
Academic Scaffolds
• Reads functional text (Grade 2-3).
• Matches items by color/shape.
• Basic 1:1 counting correspondence.
• Communicates basic needs/facts.
Welcome Science Slides Welcome to Science
Building Our Classroom Community
What is a Scientist?
1
Someone who asks questions about the world.
2
Someone who observes facts using their 5 senses.
3
Someone who solves puzzles to help people.
You are a Scientist!
Lab Safety Rules
Protect Your Eyes
Wear goggles when we use tools or chemicals.
Hands to Yourself
Do not touch tools until the teacher says "Go!"
No Food or Drink
Keep science and snacks separate.
Your Science Team
The Organizer
Gets tools and cleans up at the end.
The Recorder
Writes down observations and data.
The Lead Scientist
Reads instructions and keeps time.
The Safety Chief
Checks that everyone follows the rules.
Ready for Blast Off?
Science is better when we work together.
Lab Safety Hunt: GO!
Safety Hero Worksheet Safety Hero Challenge
First Week Science Training
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Match the Rule
Draw a line from the icon to the correct rule.
No food or drinks in the lab.
Wear your goggles to protect your eyes.
Do not touch tools until you are told to.
Part 2: My Science Role
Which job would you like to try first? Circle one and tell why.
The Organizer
I get and clean up the tools.
The Recorder
I write down what happens.
The Lead Scientist
I read the steps and time us.
The Safety Chief
I check the rules for the team.
I want this job because:
Part 3: Tool Hunt
Find one thing in the room that a scientist would use. Draw it here:
Science Readiness Checklist Science Readiness Checklist
Entry Skills for Freshman Biology SAI
Placement Guide
Tier 2 & 3 Support
To be successful in this adapted Biology course, students should demonstrate emerging or master level skills in the following foundational areas. These skills are essential for safety, collaboration, and basic scientific inquiry.
1. Safety & Social Readiness
Follows simple 2-step directions with a visual prompt.
Demonstrates impulse control with physical tools (can wait to touch until told).
Can work in a 1:1 or small group setting for at least 15 minutes.
Recognizes basic safety signs (Stop, Danger, Hot).
2. Basic Science Knowledge
Distinguishes between Living vs. Non-Living things (e.g., a dog vs. a rock).
Identifies 5 Senses and the body parts used for each (Eyes for seeing, etc.).
Recognizes common plants and animals in their immediate environment.
Understands basic cause and effect (e.g., "If I drop this, it will fall").
3. Academic Scaffolds
Reads or recognizes functional text at a 2nd-3rd grade level.
Can match items by color, shape, or size.
Demonstrates basic 1:1 correspondence when counting small groups of objects.
Can communicate basic needs or observations using words, signs, or a device.
Teacher Note:
If a student lacks more than 3-4 of these skills, they may require intensive Tier 3 individualized support or a more foundational life-science alternative before starting the full SAI Biology Blueprint sequence.
Scientific Discoveries Slides Scientific Discoveries
Solving World Puzzles with Facts
Fact or Guess?
Fact (Data)
Something we can prove or see with tools.
Example: "The plant grew 2 inches."
Guess (Theory)
An idea we have before we test it.
Example: "I think water makes it grow."
Tools for the Job
Ruler
Measures how long or tall.
Timer
Measures how fast.
Scale
Measures how heavy.
Thermometer
Measures hot and cold.
Picturing Facts
Graphs help us see the story in our data.
Big Bar = High Number
Small Bar = Low Number
Which is the biggest?
Data Detective Worksheet Data Detective
Lab: Hunting for Facts
Name:
Task 1: The Right Tool
Which tool would you use to measure these things? Circle the best answer.
1. How heavy an apple is?
Ruler
Scale
2. How hot the water is?
Thermometer
Timer
3. How long the desk is?
Scale
Ruler
Task 2: Fact or Guess?
"The bug has 6 legs."
FACT
GUESS
"I think the bug is fast."
FACT
GUESS
Task 3: Reading the Graph
1. Look at the bars above.
Which bar shows the most data?
Shortest
Tallest
Why do scientists use graphs?
Building Blocks Slides Building Blocks of Life
What are you made of?
The 4 Big Molecules
1. Carbs
Quick Energy!
Think: Bread, Pasta, Fruit
2. Proteins
Body Building!
Think: Meat, Eggs, Beans
3. Lipids (Fats)
Stored Energy!
Think: Butter, Oil, Nuts
4. Nucleic Acids
Your Blueprint!
Think: DNA and RNA
Enzymes: The Body's Key
Enzymes speed up things in your body.
Like a "Helper" that gets a job done fast.
Lock and Key Model:
One enzyme (key) fits into only one special job (lock).
Perfect Match!
Enzyme Helpers
Enzymes are picky!
They only work if the body is:
Just the right heat.
Not too much acid.
Too Hot?
The enzyme breaks! It can't do its job anymore.
Molecule Match Worksheet Molecule Match
Building Blocks of My Body
Name:
Task 1: Food Sort
Where do these foods belong? Draw a line to the correct group.
Bread & Pasta
Meat & Eggs
Butter & Oil
Carbs
(Quick Energy)
Proteins
(Building Muscles)
Lipids / Fats
(Stored Energy)
Task 2: The Right Fit
Enzymes are like Keys. They only work if they fit the Lock.
Enzyme
Job / Lock
Circle the true sentence:
A. Enzymes work with ANY job in the body.
B. Every enzyme has ONE special job that it fits.
Task 3: Temperature Check
What happens to an enzyme if the body gets Too Hot?
It works faster!
It breaks and stops!
Draw a picture of a "broken key" below:
Cell Factory Slides The Cell Factory
How Life's Tiny Machines Work
What is a Cell?
Cells are the building blocks of all living things.
Think of bricks in a house. You are made of trillions of cells!
Everything your body does happens inside your cells.
Nucleus
Animal Cell Model
Cells are like Factories
Nucleus
The Boss. It gives all the orders.
Mitochondria
The Power Plant. It makes energy.
Cell Membrane
The Security Fence. It controls what enters.
Cytoplasm
The Factory Floor. The space inside.
Special Plant Parts
1. Chloroplast
Like Solar Panels. They catch sunlight to make food.
2. Cell Wall
Like a Strong Wall. It keeps the plant standing tall.
Only in Plants!
Cell Builder Worksheet Cell Factory
Inside Life's Tiny Machines
Name:
Task 1: The Factory Job
Every cell part has a job, just like workers in a factory. Draw a line to match them.
1. Nucleus
2. Mitochondria
3. Cell Membrane
The Security Fence (Controls entry)
The Boss (Gives orders)
The Power Plant (Makes energy)
Task 2: Plant Power
Plants have two special parts that humans do NOT have. Circle the correct two:
Nucleus
Cell Wall
Cytoplasm
Chloroplast
Wait! What do chloroplasts do?
Hint: They work like solar panels.
Task 3: Label the Boss
Animal Cell
Label the part in the middle!
This is the Boss's office. It holds all the instructions.
Goal: Name the Nucleus
Blueprint Slides The Blueprint of You
How DNA Makes You Special
What is DNA?
DNA is like an Instruction Manual for your whole body.
It tells your body what color your eyes should be!
It lives in the center of every cell (the Nucleus).
The Twisted Ladder
Where Traits Come From
Mom
50% DNA
Dad
50% DNA
You are a 50/50 mix of your parents' blueprints!
The Punnett Puzzle
We use a square to guess which traits a baby might have.
BIG Letter (B) = Strong
little letter (b) = Shy
The Strong trait usually wins!
BB
Bb
Bb
bb
Punnett Puzzle Worksheet Punnett Puzzle
Guessing Traits Challenge
Name:
Step 1: Know the Words
Trait
Something special about you (like eye color).
DNA
The "Instruction Book" for your body.
Step 2: Solve the Square
Follow the arrows to move the letters into the boxes!
B B
b b
Instruction: Put 1 Rose letter and 1 Sky letter in each box.
Did you know?
The BIG B stands for Brown Eyes. The little b stands for Blue Eyes.
In this square, how many babies will have Brown Eyes?
ALL
NONE
Step 3: Family Search
What is one trait you got from your family? (Hair color, eye color, etc.)
My trait is:
Draw a picture of you and your trait:
Energy Cycle Slides The Solar Power of Life
How Plants Make Food and We Use It
Photosynthesis
Plants are like Solar Panels. They catch sunlight to make sugar (food).
They also need Water and Air (CO2) to work.
Sun + Water + Air = FOOD
Cellular Respiration
Living things are like Engines. They "burn" food to get energy.
They need Oxygen to keep the fire going!
Food + Oxygen = ENERGY
The Circle of Life
Plants make Food
Animals use Energy
We help the plants, and the plants help us!
Energy Cycle Worksheet Solar Power & Engines
Energy Cycles in Nature
Name:
Task 1: Plant Solar Panels
Plants use sunlight to make food. What three things do they need? Circle them:
Sunlight
Pizza
Water
Air (CO2)
Where does the food get made in a plant?
Task 2: The Body Engine
Animals "burn" food for energy. This is called Respiration .
What does your body need to get energy from food?
Oxygen (Air)
A Nap
Circle the correct answer above.
Task 3: Helping Each Other
Plants give us Oxygen to breathe.
We give plants Carbon Dioxide (Air) to make food.
Draw a plant and a human helping each other:
Mitosis Copying Worksheet Copying My Cells
The Story of Mitosis
Name:
Step 1: Growing Up
Why does your body make new cells? Circle the three right answers:
To Grow Taller
To Fix a Cut
To Replace Old Cells
When one cell splits into two, it's called Mitosis .
Step 2: Identical Twins
A
Parent Cell
A
A
After mitosis, the two new cells are EXACTLY THE SAME.
Step 3: The Big Split
Draw one cell pulling apart into two cells:
Goal: Show the cells looking like twins!
Mitosis Slides Life's Copy Machine
How One Cell Becomes Two
Why Copy?
Growth
To help you get bigger and taller!
Repair
To fix cuts and broken bones.
Replace
To make new cells when old ones die.
Mitosis: Step-by-Step
1. The Copy
The cell copies its DNA blueprint.
2. The Pull
The cell pulls apart into two sides.
3. The Twin
Two identical cells are born!
A
A
A
Exact Copies!
After mitosis, the new cells are 100% the same as the first cell. They have the same DNA, the same parts, and the same job.
Evolution Survival Slides Survival Secrets
How Animals Change to Stay Alive
Adaptations
An Adaptation is a body part or behavior that helps an animal survive.
Examples:
• Thick fur for the cold
• Sharp teeth for eating meat
• Camouflage to hide
Birds have different beaks for different foods!
Natural Selection
Nature "picks" the best animals to survive and have babies.
"Survival of the Fittest"
This means the animals that fit their home best will win.
F
S
W
Winners keep going!
Evolution Survival Worksheet Survivor Challenge
Adaptation and Nature's Winners
Name:
Task 1: Tools for Life
Animals have special "tools" on their bodies to help them stay alive. Match the tool to the job.
Thick Fur
Camouflage
Sharp Claws
To Hide from hungry hunters.
To stay Warm in the snow.
To Climb or catch food.
Task 2: Nature's Winners
In a forest with lots of Green leaves, which bug has a better chance to hide and survive?
Green Bug
Bright Orange Bug
Circle the winner above! Why did you pick them?
Task 3: Create a Survivor
Imagine an animal that lives on a mountain where it is very windy. Draw one special thing its body has to keep it from blowing away!
Plant Kingdom Slides The Green Kingdom
How Plants Live and Grow
Plant Parts
Roots
The Anchor
They soak up water from the ground.
Stem
The Straw
It carries water up to the leaves.
Leaves
The Kitchen
They use sunlight to make food.
How Plants Drink
Plants don't have mouths. They use tiny tubes inside their stems .
Like drinking through a Straw!
Water moving up!
Living Everywhere
Deserts
Plants with thick skin to save water.
Water
Plants that float to reach the sun.
The Cold
Plants like Pine trees that stay green all year.
Rainforest
Giant leaves to catch every drop.
Plant Explorer Worksheet Plant Explorer
Investigating the Green Kingdom
Name:
Task 1: The Job Match
Draw a line from the plant part to its special job.
Roots
Stem
Leaves
Makes Food from sunlight.
Soaks up Water from the dirt.
Carries water like a Straw.
Task 2: The Straw Trick
Plants use tiny tubes to pull water from the ground all the way to their top leaves.
This is just like using a:
Spoon
Straw
Circle the correct answer above.
Task 3: Desert Survivor
Deserts are very DRY. Draw a plant that can live there.
Animal Kingdom Slides Animal Adventures
Discovering the Wild World
The 5 Main Groups
Mammals
Hair & Milk
Birds
Feathers & Eggs
Fish
Gills & Scales
Reptiles
Dry Skin
Amphibians
Smooth Skin
What do they eat?
Herbivore
Eats Plants only.
Carnivore
Eats Meat only.
Omnivore
Eats Everything.
Which are you?
How Animals Move
Fly
Using Wings
Swim
Using Fins
Walk
Using Feet
Animal Adventure Worksheet Animal Detective
Exploring the Wild World
Name:
Task 1: Which Group?
Match the animal to its group. Circle the right answer.
Dog
Mammal
Fish
Eagle
Bird
Reptile
Shark
Mammal
Fish
Task 2: What's for Lunch?
A Herbivore eats only plants.
Which of these is a plant-eater? Circle one:
Rabbit
Tiger
Task 3: Wild Drawing
Draw your favorite animal. Does it have hair, feathers, or scales?
My animal has:
Ecology Earth Slides Our Living Earth
How Nature Works Together
Nature's Neighborhood
An Ecosystem is a place where plants and animals live together.
Everything in nature is connected. If one thing changes, it affects everyone!
Forest, Ocean, or Desert —
The Food Web
Producers
Plants that make their own food.
Consumers
Animals that eat plants or other animals.
Arrows show where Energy goes!
Grass Rabbit Wolf
Lots of Different Friends
Biodiversity means having many different kinds of plants and animals.
Why does it matter?
A big team makes the ecosystem Strong and Safe.
Healthy Ecosystem!
Ecology Earth Worksheet Nature's Team
Ecology and Food Webs
Name:
Task 1: Nature's Jobs
Is it a Producer (makes food) or a Consumer (eats food)? Circle the answer.
Grass
Producer
Consumer
Deer
Producer
Consumer
Task 2: Follow the Energy
Draw arrows to show who eats who! (The arrow points to the mouth of the animal that eats).
Grass
Grasshopper
Bird
Add the arrows to the lines above!
Task 3: Healthy Earth
Biodiversity means many different animals on one team.
Why is a Big Team better for the Earth?
It is Stronger!
It is Quieter!
Draw one more animal that could live in your ecosystem:
