STAAR Alternate 2 Spring 2016 Essence Statements
Science and Biology Grade Comparisons
Grade 5 / Grade 8 / High School – BiologySTAAR Reporting Category 1 –
Matter and Energy: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of matter and energy and their interactions.
Essence Statement –
Identifies and classifies matter by its physical properties and determines how matter is changed. / STAAR Reporting Category 1 –
Matter and Energy: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of matter and energy and their interactions.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes that matter is composed of atoms, has distinct properties, and interacts with energy.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes the physical and chemical properties and changes of matter and how physical properties are used for classification / STAAR Reporting Category 1 –
Cell Structure and Function: The student will demonstrate an understanding of biomolecules as building blocks of cells, and that cells are the basic unit of structure and function of living things.
Essence Statement –
Knows that all living things are composed of cells that perform specific functions and that viruses are different from cells.
Essence Statement
Recognizes the importance of the cell cycle and cell differentiation to the growth of organisms.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes structures and functions of various biomolecules.
STAAR Reporting Category 2 –
Force, Motion, and Energy: The student will demonstrate an understanding of force, motion, and energy and their relationships.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes force, motion, and energy and their relationships. / STAAR Reporting Category 2 –
Force, Motion, and Energy: The student will demonstrate an understanding of force, motion, and energy and their relationships.
Essence Statement -
Recognizes that relationships exist between force, motion, and energy.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes the relationship between force and work.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes that force and motion are related to potential and kinetic energy.
Essence Statement
Knows that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but changes form. / STAAR Reporting Category 2 –
Mechanisms of Genetics: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms of genetics.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes that the structure of DNA determines the inherited traits in organisms.
Grade 5 / Grade 8 / High School – Biology
STAAR Reporting Category 3 –
Earth and Space: The student will demonstrate an understanding of components, cycles, patterns, and natural events of Earth and space systems.
Essence Statement –
Knows that Earth’s surface is constantly changing and consists of useful resources.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes patterns in the natural
world and among the Sun, Earth, and
Moon system. / STAAR Reporting Category 3 –
Earth and Space: The student will demonstrate an understanding of components, cycles, patterns, and natural events of Earth and space systems.
Essence Statement
Knows the phases of the moon, the seasons on Earth, and the day and night cycle are the result of cyclical interactions among Earth, the Moon, and the Sun.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes characteristics of the universe and its components.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes that natural events affect Earth’s systems.
Essence Statement –
Knows that interactions exist among Earth, ocean, and weather systems. / STAAR Reporting Category 3 –
Biological Evolution and Classification: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the theory of biological evolution and the hierarchical classification of organisms.
Essence Statement –
Knows evolutionary theory is a scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life.
Essence Statement –
Knows that taxonomy is used to classify organisms based on shared characteristics.
Grade 5 / Grade 8 / High School - Biology
STAAR Reporting Category 4 –
Organisms and Environments: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interdependence on each other and on their environment.
Essence Statement –
Knows that there are relationships and characteristics within environments that support organisms.
Essence Statement –
Knows that organisms undergo life processes and have structures that help
them survive within their environments. / STAAR Reporting Category 4 –
Organisms and Environments: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interdependence on each other and on their environment.
Essence Statement –
Recognizes the interdependence of organisms with each other and with their environment.
Essence Statement –
Knows the importance of biodiversity to the health of an ecosystem.
Essence Statement
Recognizes the classification of organisms
Essence Statement
Recognizes that inherited traits are determined by genetic material. / STAAR Reporting Category 4 –
Biological Processes and Systems: The student will demonstrate an understanding of metabolic processes, energy conversions, and interactions and functions of systems in organisms.
Essence Statement
Recognizes energy conversions in living organisms.
Essence Statement –
Knows that biological systems have functions and interact.
Essence Statement –
Knows that biological systems work to achieve and maintain balance through internal feedbackmechanisms.
STAAR Reporting Category 5
Interdependence within Environmental Systems: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence and interactions that occur within an environmental system and their significance.
Essence Statement –
Knows that biological systems work to achieve and maintain balance through responses to external factors.
Essence Statement -
Knows that interdependence and interactions occur within an environmental system.
Compiled by ESC Region 11 from