Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Central Dogma Answer to Life Name: Nicolette Klepfer

Content Area: Biology Grade Level: 9th grade
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

HS-LS1-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins
which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

What is the Central Dogma?

Student Learning Goal:
- Students learn what the central dogma is and why it is essential to the functions of life.

What are the three major components of the central dogma?

Student Learning Goal:
- Students understand the three major components of the central dogma.

What are the two important processes that take place?

Student Learning Goal:
- Students understand the two important processes that take place during the progression from DNA to proteins.

Unit Summary:

Throughout this unit students will develop an understanding of what the central dogma is and why it is imperative to the
functions of life. Students will not only understand the process overall, but each individual component, material and step
involved. Students will gain knowledge of the structure and functions of DNA, RNA and proteins. They will also learn about the
processes of transcription and translation and how they are used to go from the starting material of DNA to a finished product of
proteins. Students will learn that the central dogma is the basis for all basic functions in the human body and the majority of
living organisms.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
Brainstorm: What essential biological
components make up a person?
Formative:
-Students will complete a quick write to
explain their analogy of the steps of the
central dogma.
-Students will complete a worksheet and
draw diagrams of DNA, RNA, and proteins
to check for their understanding of these
three main components.
-Students will complete an online quiz on
the main components and steps of the
central dogma.
-Students will complete four graphic
organizers to depict the overall steps,
the specific processes and the
comparisons between the processes.
Summative:
-Students will be given an exam at the
conclusion of the unit to test for their
understanding of the topic.
-Students will complete a group project,
where each group will be tasked with
creatively explaining a specific
component or process of the central
dogma. These projects can be in the form
of a PowerPoint presentation, act out a
play, engage the class in an activity and
more.

Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)

Student Learning Acceptable Evidence Lesson Activities:
Objective: (Assessments): The lesson will begin with a lecture presentation via Prezi on the general overview of
Students learn what Students will what the central dogma is and why it is important.
the central dogma is complete the fill in To make this difficult topic easier to understand I will use the analogy of making
and why it is essential notes that go along French Toast. Students will be given a worksheet for fill in notes. This worksheet will
to the functions of with my Prezi lecture allow them to note the definitions of all the important components and what the
steps and materials in my analogy equate to when thinking about the process of the
life. Students will presentation.
central dogma.
create their own Students will then
Finally students will be asked to create their own analogy to explain the steps and
analogies to explain create their own
components involved in the central dogma in the form of a quick write.
the steps of the analogy (similar to
If students desire they can then share these with the class.
central dogma. mine of making
French Toast) through
the use of a quick
write for the process
of the central dogma
and all of the key
components involved.
Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Objective: Students will Students will be on computers to complete interactive Webercise activities. In this
Students understand complete a worksheet Webercise students will be able to explore the components of DNA and how it will
the three major while working through ultimately result in the formation of a protein through the use of RNA.
components of the the webercise. While students engage in this Webercise they will also need to answer questions and
central dogma. Students will also fill in banks provided on a worksheet that I will supply.
Students will complete diagrams of
complete online DNA and RNA through
activities to gain a a computer program.
knowledge of DNA,
RNA, and proteins.
Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)
Student Learning Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Objective: Students will I will show a video of 3D animations of transcription and translation, the two major
Students understand complete graphic processes that take place during the progression from DNA to proteins. During the
the two important organizers to show video we will pause to go into detail and allow the students to ask questions about
processes that take when each process the material. Students will be asked to take their own notes during the video and I
place during the takes place and what will point out important information that they should note.
After the video I will then provide students with a blank graphic organizer that will
progression from DNA the beginning
allow students to visually fill in the boxes to correctly show the order and steps of
to proteins. Students material is and what
the processes that take place when moving from DNA to proteins. This graphic
will complete graphic the final result will be.
organizer will be used moving forward in the class and will be a great study tool for
organizers to visually
the students.
show the steps in the
processes of the
central dogma.
Unit Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwibgNGe4aY What is DNA? Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Elo-zX1k8M - Compare and Contrast DNA and RNA Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbLdAho694A - What is a protein? video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIvBn6gfRgY - Central Dogma Overview by Khan Academy Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kK2zwjRV0M - DNA Replication Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itsb2SqR-R0 - Transcription and Translation Video
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/gene-expression-central-dogma - Central Dogma Overview by Khan Academy
https://www.dnalc.org/resources/3d/central-dogma.html - 3D Animations of Transcription and Translation: The Central Dogma of Biology
http://study.com/academy/lesson/the-central-dogma-of-biology-definition-theory-quiz.html - Central Dogma Study.com
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/beyond/ - Going Beyond the Central Dogma: Types of RNA

Useful Websites:
https://prezi.com/npiafc_6pmgz/the-central-dogma/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy - Prezi Presentation for Teacher Lecture

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/dna - Webercise: What is DNA?

https://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/dna_double_helix/dnahelix.html - Webercise: Make your own DNA.
https://www.rnasociety.org/about/what-is-rna/ - Webercise: What is RNA?
http://www.eternagame.org/game/puzzle/6502927/ - Webercise: Create your own RNA structures.
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/howgeneswork/protein - Webercise: What are proteins and what do they do?

https://www.dnalc.org/resources/3d/central-dogma.html - 3D Animations of Transcription and Translation: The Central Dogma of Biology

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKIpDtJdK8Q - Transcription and Translation Video

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3M3F3D2 - Quiz Assessment

https://www.quickrubric.com/r#/qr/npklepfer/central-dogma-project - Final Project Rubric