Decomposers Lesson 2 Learning Goals

Target Performances

Activity

Target Performance

Lesson 2 – Foundations: Zooming into Organisms (students developing foundational knowledge and practice)

Activity 2.1: Zooming into Plants, Animals, and Decomposers

Students “zoom in” to animals, plants, and decomposers, describing how all of these organisms are made of cells with special structures and functions.

Activity 2.2: Molecules Cells Are Made of

Students use food labels to describe molecules in animal, plant, and decomposer cells: large organic molecules (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), as well as water, vitamins, and minerals.

Activity 2.3: Molecules in Cells Quiz

Students complete a quiz to assess their understanding of the molecules in cells and how to identify which molecules store chemical energy.

Activity 2.4: Questions about Decomposers

Students describe structures and functions that all decomposers share and pose questions about molding bread to prepare for their upcoming investigation.

NGSS Performance Expectations

High School

  • Structure and Function. HS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms.
  • From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes. HS-LS1-6. Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how
    carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements
    to form
    amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules.

Middle School

  • Matter and its Interactions. MS-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.
  • Structure, Function, and Information Processing. MS-LS1-3. Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.