High School Curriculum Explorer · Grades 9–12

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See what a course builds on, follow a suggested unit path and practice a useful skill. For students, families, homeschoolers, tutors and teachers.

138 original mini-lessons with video choices23 courses9 subject areas

Suggested pathways · Selected standards contributions · No calculus
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Each course has six lessons in three suggested units. Grade ranges guide placement; they are not universal requirements.

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35 minutes

Biology

Suggested grades 9–10 · Unit 1: Information and Living Systems

From DNA Instructions to Cell Function

Explain a limited gene–protein relationship using a model and a precise evidence statement.

▷ 2 teacher video choices: From DNA Instructions to Cell Function
Preview lesson: From DNA Instructions to Cell Function

Goal: Construct a four-stage explanation linking a gene, protein production, protein function and a cell outcome.

Before this: Know that cells contain DNA and proteins.

Try together: Together revise “DNA becomes a nutrient.” Name the different roles of information, a protein product and transported matter.

Subject-content contributionHS-LS1-1High school band
Supporting literacy connectionRST.9-10.1Grades 9–10
Selected NGSS high school-band contribution; full performance requires additional evidence and instruction.
Open lesson →: From DNA Instructions to Cell Function
40 minutes

Biology

Suggested grades 9–10 · Unit 1: Information and Living Systems

Model Oxygen Delivery Across Systems

Connect cells, tissues, organs and interacting body systems without reducing the body to one isolated part.

▷ 2 teacher video choices: Model Oxygen Delivery Across Systems
Preview lesson: Model Oxygen Delivery Across Systems

Goal: Produce a hierarchical model and explain two interactions needed for oxygen delivery.

Before this: Recognize cells, tissues and organs.

Try together: Together locate an interaction between two systems and explain why a well-functioning heart alone cannot replace a lung exchange surface.

Subject-content contributionHS-LS1-2High school band
Supporting literacy connectionRST.9-10.7Grades 9–10
Selected NGSS high school-band contribution; full performance requires additional evidence and instruction.
Open lesson →: Model Oxygen Delivery Across Systems
35 minutes

Biology

Suggested grades 9–10 · Unit 2: Matter and Energy in Organisms

Where Does Plant Carbon Come From?

Represent photosynthesis inputs, outputs and energy transformations using an atom-accounting model.

▷ 2 teacher video choices: Where Does Plant Carbon Come From?
Preview lesson: Where Does Plant Carbon Come From?

Goal: Use a labeled model to track carbon atoms and distinguish light energy from matter inputs.

Before this: Count atoms in simple formulas.

Try together: Together identify the error in a diagram drawing light dots turning into carbon dots. Replace it with an energy-transformation arrow.

Subject-content contributionHS-LS1-5High school band
Supporting literacy connectionRST.9-10.7Grades 9–10
Selected NGSS high school-band contribution; full performance requires additional evidence and instruction.
Open lesson →: Where Does Plant Carbon Come From?
40 minutes

Biology

Suggested grades 9–10 · Unit 2: Matter and Energy in Organisms

Food, Oxygen and Energy Transfer

Explain cellular respiration without describing energy as an atom or saying bond breaking alone releases it.

▷ 2 teacher video choices: Food, Oxygen and Energy Transfer
Preview lesson: Food, Oxygen and Energy Transfer

Goal: Use a net model to distinguish matter rearrangement, usable energy transfer and thermal transfer.

Before this: Recognize photosynthesis inputs and outputs.

Try together: Together correct “Plants photosynthesize, so they never respire.” Refer to the text and distinguish the two processes.

Subject-content contributionHS-LS1-7High school band
Supporting literacy connectionRST.9-10.1Grades 9–10
Selected NGSS high school-band contribution; full performance requires additional evidence and instruction.
Open lesson →: Food, Oxygen and Energy Transfer
35 minutes

Biology

Suggested grades 9–10 · Unit 3: Populations and Biological Evidence

Build an Ecosystem Energy Budget

Use proportional data while keeping energy conservation distinct from biomass transfer.

▷ 2 teacher video choices: Build an Ecosystem Energy Budget
Preview lesson: Build an Ecosystem Energy Budget

Goal: Calculate two transfer fractions and account for energy not stored as new biomass at the next level.

Before this: Use percentages and define a system boundary.

Try together: Together identify the 17,600 kJ difference between producer and primary-consumer production and explain why it cannot all be labeled “heat” without more evidence.

Subject-content contributionHS-LS2-4High school band
Supporting literacy connectionRST.9-10.7Grades 9–10
Selected NGSS high school-band contribution; full performance requires additional evidence and instruction.
Open lesson →: Build an Ecosystem Energy Budget
40 minutes

Biology

Suggested grades 9–10 · Unit 3: Populations and Biological Evidence

Explain a Population Shift Without Intent

Connect inherited variation, resource limits and reproductive success in an original model.

▷ 2 teacher video choices: Explain a Population Shift Without Intent
Preview lesson: Explain a Population Shift Without Intent

Goal: Construct a natural-selection explanation using four required factors and distinguish population change from individual intention.

Before this: Know inheritance and calculate a proportion.

Try together: Together revise “The beetles became dark because they wanted to survive” using variation already present before predation.

Subject-content contributionHS-LS4-2High school band
Supporting literacy connectionRST.9-10.1Grades 9–10
Selected NGSS high school-band contribution; full performance requires additional evidence and instruction.
Open lesson →: Explain a Population Shift Without Intent

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