Unit 1: Origins & Foundations

Theme

How do scientific, historical, and mythic origin stories shape how we see the world?

CORE

Biology – Life & Cells

• Characteristics of life; levels of organization from molecules to biosphere.

• Nature of science: scientific method, experimental design, variables, data analysis.

• Chemistry of life: atoms, molecules, water properties, macromolecules (carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), enzymes.

• Intro to ecosystems: basic biotic and abiotic factors.

• Cell theory: prokaryotic vs eukaryotic; plant vs animal cells.

• Cell structures: major organelles and their functions.

• Cell membrane and transport: diffusion, osmosis, active transport.

English

• Read myths, epics, and short nonfiction about origins and beginnings.

• Compare scientific and cultural explanations of how the world began.

• Practice basic literary analysis: theme, worldview, key details.

• Build expository writing skills: clear thesis, organized paragraphs, using evidence.

• Practice sentence structures: simple, compound, complex.

• Learn common Greek and Latin roots connected to science and history.

• Practice evaluating simple sources and identifying author, purpose, and audience.

• Build early speaking skills: short, clear presentations and storytelling.

World Civilizations – Origins & Foundations

• Human origins, Paleolithic life, Neolithic Revolution and farming.

• River valley civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus, early China.

• Classical foundations: early Greece, Persia, early India and China.

• Classical civilizations at their height: Greece, Hellenistic world, Rome, Maurya/Gupta India, Han China.

• Major belief systems and their impact: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism.

OPTIONAL INTEGRATED ELECTIVE

Intro to Humanities

• What the humanities are: art, literature, philosophy, religion, music, history, culture.

• Myths, epics, origin stories from many cultures.

• Classical ideas: Greek philosophy and drama; Roman art, architecture, law.

• Major world religious and philosophical traditions.

• Art and architecture as expressions of belief and power.

• Literature as a mirror of society, including marginalized voices.

• Music, theater, performance across time and cultures.

• Big ideas from Renaissance to modern: humanism, enlightenment, nationalism, rights movements.

• Culture, identity, representation in arts and media.

• Skills: close reading of texts and images; connecting past works to current issues.