Biology

Taught by Pat Mote

Tentative schedule

(Complete Key Takeaway Survey Day #1)

Morning Session

Discuss each section of the CED and make connections to the Curricular Requirements
- Understanding the Big Ideas, Enduring Understandings, Essential Knowledge Learning Objectives, Sciences Practices
- Exploring the 8 Unit Guides
Learn how to build conceptual understandings by linking Enduring Understandings (concepts) using testable Learning Objectives (what the students should be able to do) to Essential Knowledge (Content) for each of the Big Ideas (Theme)
Learn how to use Science Practices (Skills) and the Essential Knowledges (Content) to apply the content in new, relevant, and unfamiliar contexts.

Afternoon Session

Information about Textbooks and Study Guides and Other Resources
Lab Equipment/Materials – Carolina, Ward’s, Flinn, Bio-RAD, Probeware
Lab Manual: AP® Biology Investigative Labs: An Inquiry-Based Approach
Lab Notebooks (Carbonless Life Science Lab Notebooks), Lab Reports, Mini posters
Mini-posters and CER - View samples of Lab mini-posters and CER mini-posters
How to organize the Labs

Previewing the Science Practices - Teaching for Transfer

Study the information in the CED and the APSI ppt for the following Science Practice:
- SP4 Representing and Describing Data
- SP5 Statistical Tests and Data Analysis
Construct a table and a graph of the data from Investigation 11 - Transpiration
Email this table and graph to patmote7@gmail.com by the beginning of Day 2 Morning Session.

(Complete Key Takeaway Survey #2)

Morning Session

Questions? Reflect on Day 1
Discuss curriculum adjustments and instructional strategies that will help to recruit and retain under-represented students
Identify classroom-level policies and practices that enhance or restrict student opportunities to participate in AP®
Study the UDL: Universal Design for Learning
Discuss how to develop a One-day Lesson Plan and how to develop a Semester and/or Year-long Pacing Guide that incorporates all the units, topics, and skills of the course, as referenced in the CED
Scaffolding and Spiraling the Science Practices: Review Instructional Approaches for Science Practices

Afternoon Session

Guest Speaker: Bio-Bits-The Central Dogma: Practicing the Practices: Investigation 9: Biotechnology BI 3 (Handout)
Alternative Investigation 9: Virtual DNA Gel Electrophoresis MiniOne
Practicing Practices: Investigation 4 Diffusion, Osmosis, Water Potential BI 2
Practicing Practices: Investigation 12: Animal Behavior BI 4
- Activity: Sharing Favorite Labs: email these to Pat Mote at patmote7@gmail.com

Create a One-day Instructional Lesson Plan for one topic from one of the 8 Units.
Email the One-day Lesson Plan to patmote7@gmail.com by the Day 3 Morning Session.
Write your lesson plan using the Lesson Planning Template in Google Drive.
Begin working on a semester-long or year-long Pacing Guide for your course.
Email the Pacing Guide to patmote7@gmail.com before the Day 4 Morning Session begins.

(Complete Key Takeaway Survey #3)

Morning Session

Questions? Reflect on Day 2
Discuss Planning Your Course: Share Lesson Plans
Identify and explain various instructional strategies and tools that teachers can incorporate in their lesson plans to teach the content and skills in the Course and Exam Description
Activity: Sharing Favorite Strategies and Tools
Explain how teachers need a deep understanding of content and application

Study the Information in the CED and the APSI ppt for the following Science Practices:
- SP 2 – Visual Representations
- SP 3 – Questions & Methods
- SP 6 – Argumentation
Select one lab that focuses on one of the 6 Science Practices. Describe the lab and explain how the lab will help your students master this Science Practice Skill.
Email this assignment to patmote7@gmail.com by the Day 4 Morning Session.

Afternoon Session

Questions? Time, practice, and feedback - Understanding of the content is earned over time
Guest Speaker: Let It Glow from MiniOne 2:00-3:30 pm EDT Bacterial Transformation
Practicing the Practices: Investigation 8: Biotechnology: Bacterial Transformation BI 3
- Alternative Investigation 8: Virtual pGLO Bacterial Transformation
Practicing the Practices: Investigation 2: Hardy-Weinberg BI 1
Practicing the Practices: Chi-Square Analysis: Wooly Worm Lab BI 1
Previewing the Science Practices - Teaching for Transfer: Study the information in the CED and the APSI ppt for the following Science Practices: SP 1-Concept Explanation

(Complete Key Takeaway Survey #4)

Morning Session

Questions? Reflect on Day 3
Note: The Cvent Survey from the College Board will be emailed at the end of today.
Instructional Resources: AP® Classroom (including updates) & AP® Daily
Discuss examples of how AP® Classroom can be utilized to develop each skill/practice using example student data provided by the College Board and develop lesson plans that reinforce topic and skill connections.
Share how AP® Daily can be used as a resource.
AP® Central and AP® Community
AP® Course Audit – Syllabus Review Activity
Instructional Planning Report (IPR) – Interpreting this data to identify student strengths and weaknesses and reflect on implications for instruction.
Joining the AP® Community and Finding Additional Resources
- Using PPC’s as Formative Assessments
- Explain the difference between Formative and Summative Assessments
- AP® Biology Exam Structure for 2026

Afternoon Session:

Formative vs. Summative Assessment: Questions?
AP® Biology Exam Structure
Activity: A close look at the 2026 AP® Biology Exam FRQs (Scoring Guidelines and Sample Responses)
Activity: Making Time to Review for the AP® Biology Exam
Reflection on the activities of the week and complete the APSI Cvent Survey