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Unit 1 Origins & Foundations

Unit 1: Origins & Foundations

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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.

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