RS4K Book 6 — Biology (Ch 6–9): Grade 6 atoms-first chapters. Foundation 100%, Gap 0.0%, Map Error 0.0%, Practices 79%, no FSEs. Tool- and classification-focused (microscopy, protists, fungi). Where mechanism appears it is anchored: cells made of atoms, microbial feeding as molecular release and absorption. Recommended Deep.
| Program | RS4K - Science Book 6 — Biology |
| Unit | Ch 6–9: Technology in Biology | The Microscope | What Are Protists? | Fungi |
| Publisher | Gravitas Publications Inc. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Grade Band | Grade 6 |
RS4K Book 6 Biology scores Foundation 100%. 9 passages (3 mechanism, 6 observational), all mechanism passages atomically grounded. Zero map errors. Zero confirmed FSEs.
Biology is tool- and classification-focused: microscopy techniques, protist taxonomy (ciliates, flagellates, amoebas, sporozoa), and fungal biology. Where mechanism appears it is anchored: cells are made of atoms, DNA/RNA/proteins are molecules, and microbial feeding is described as releasing digestive molecules and absorbing smaller molecules.
“A cell is made up of billions of proteins, molecules, and atoms. Because everything is made of atoms, microscopes were developed to image small molecules and atoms.” (Ch7, p.60)
“Heterotrophic protists release digestive molecules and then absorb the small molecules that result.” (Ch8, p.86)
“Fungi first release digestive enzymes outside the hypha, then absorb the smaller molecules the fungus uses for food.” (Ch9, p.120)
Practices: 79% (green). 4 PRESENT, 3 PARTIAL. Microscope skills lab; protist motion investigation; yeast experiment. Model-building, math, and argumentation PARTIAL.
Nothing structural.
| Total Passages Scored | 9 |
| Raw Gap Error | 0.0% FALSE = atoms/molecules not present before students are asked to explain. The student is navigating without a starting point. |
| Adjusted Gap Error | 0.0% UNSCAFFOLDED = no atomic grounding at all. LESSON_ATOMS = atoms mentioned elsewhere in lesson but not connected to this concept. |
| Substance-Model Errors (REI) | 0 Curriculum treats a process or outcome as a substance - "heat flows," "energy is stored," "electricity flows like water." Student builds a substance ontology. |
| Label-as-Explanation (LAE) | 0 Curriculum provides a name and treats it as an explanation - "this happens because of gravity." Student believes knowing the name IS understanding the concept. |
| Vague-Entity Errors (AEC) | 0 Curriculum uses vague entities ("tiny particles," "building blocks") without specifying atoms or molecules. Student invents their own model with macroscopic properties. |
| Factual Science Errors (FSE) | 0 Statements that are scientifically incorrect - not imprecise framing, but wrong. Any confirmed FSE = Not Recommended. |
| Practices | 79% - Deep Seven practices scored PRESENT, PARTIAL, or ABSENT and averaged: asking questions, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics, constructing explanations and designing solutions, and argument from evidence. Higher is better, the opposite direction from gap and map errors. Reported but not part of the Foundation Score or the verdict. |
Biology is tool- and classification-focused. Where mechanism appears it is anchored: everything is made of atoms, and microbial feeding is described as releasing and absorbing molecules.
Molecular-level description of protist heterotrophic feeding and fungal digestion. Microscopy grounded in atomic-scale imaging.
Recommended (Deep) — Deep by design -
Evidence for every entry is published at three levels. Each level states what it contains and what it leaves out.
Scores, verdict, and the full pattern count for this unit are above: adjusted gap, REI / LAE / AEC counts, FSE status, and the seven-practice score. Passage-level detail for this unit is carried in the downloadable evidence file.
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