Embedded Files
Grade(s): 7
Length: two semesters
Course Overview:
Course Overview:
Science 7 is an introductory course designed to expand seventh grade students’ understanding of the natural world by focusing on the characteristics of living things, cellular organization, the diversity of life, and how organisms and populations change over time in terms of biological adaptation, heredity and genetics, evolution, natural selection, and changes over time in Earth’s history.
Adopted Textbook:
Adopted Textbook:
Into Science. HMH, 2022
Units
Units
(Recommended Order)
Semester 1:
Semester 1:
Introduction
Cells and Organization in Organisms
Reproduction, Heredity, and Growth
Matter and Energy in Living Systems
Semester 2:
Semester 2:
Ecosystem Dynamics
The History of Life on Earth
Evolution
Unit 1: Cells & Organization in Organisms
Unit 1: Cells & Organization in Organisms
Timing: Semester 1, Quarter 1
Teaching Time Required: 17 days
Textbook: Into Science
Topic 1: Cell Structure/ Function
Topic 1: Cell Structure/ Function
Number of Days: 5 days
Objectives:
All living things are made of one or more cells.
Cells can be described by the types of structures in which they are made.
The cell membrane serves as a barrier that allows matter and energy to enter and exit the cell.
Students use a model to describe how a cell's functions are performed by specific cell structures.
Key Vocabulary:
Cell Membrane
Cell Wall
Chloroplast
Mitochondrion
Nucleus
Organelle
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 1 Cells and Organization in Organisms – Lesson 1 Cell Structure and Function
Topic 2: Plant Body Systems
Topic 2: Plant Body Systems
Number of Days: 5 days
Objectives:
Students use evidence to support an explanation about how the survival needs of plants are met by systems working together.
Key Vocabulary:
Leaf
Organ
Organism
Organ System
Tissue
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 1 Cells and Organization in Organisms – Lesson 2 Plant Body Systems
Topic 3: Animal Body Systems
Topic 3: Animal Body Systems
Number of Days: 5 days
Objectives:
Students use evidence to evaluate how the survival needs of animals are met by systems working together.
Key Vocabulary:
Behavior
Homeostasis
Memory
Sensory
Receptor
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 1 Cells and Organization in Organisms – Lesson 3 Animal Body Systems
Unit Test/ Labs
Unit Test/ Labs
Number of Days: 2 days
Standards List:
MS-LS1-1 Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.
MS-LS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function
MS-LS1-3 Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
MS-LS1-8 Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or storage as memories.
Unit 2: Reproduction, Heredity, & Growth
Unit 2: Reproduction, Heredity, & Growth
Timing: Semester 1, Quarter 2
Teaching Time Required: 17.5 – 26.5 days
Textbook: Into Science
Topic 1: Inheritance and Reproduction
Topic 1: Inheritance and Reproduction
Number of Days: 5 - 8 days
Objectives:
Students investigate how genetic factors influence an organism’s traits, describe how asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information, and how sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.
Key Vocabulary:
Allele
Asexual Reproduction
Chromosome
DNA
Gamete
Gene
Inheritance
Offspring
Sexual Reproduction
Trait
Probability
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 2 Reproduction, Heredity, and Growth – Lesson 1 Inheritance and Reproduction
Topic 2: Plant Reproduction and Growth
Topic 2: Plant Reproduction and Growth
Number of Days: 5 - 8 days
Objectives:
Students explain how genetic and environmental factors affect the growth and reproduction of plants.
Key Vocabulary:
Pollination
Seed Dispersal
Environmental Factor
Fertilization Genetic
Factor
Germination
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 2 Reproduction, Heredity, and Growth – Lesson 2 Plant Reproduction and Growth
Topic 3: Animal Reproduction and Growth
Topic 3: Animal Reproduction and Growth
Number of Days: 5.5 - 8.5 days
Objectives:
Students gather evidence to explain how an animal’s behavior influences its reproductive success and survival.
Key Vocabulary:
Asexual Reproduction
Behavior
Environmental Factor
Fertilization
Genetic Factor
Reproductive Success
Sexual Reproduction
Variation
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 2 Reproduction, Heredity, and Growth – Lesson 3 Animal Reproduction and Growth
Unit Test/ Labs
Unit Test/ Labs
Number of Days: 2 days
Standards List:
• MS-LS1-4 Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.
• MS-LS1-5 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
• MS-LS3-2 Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.
Unit 3: Matter & Energy in Living Systems
Unit 3: Matter & Energy in Living Systems
Timing: Semester 1, Quarter 2
Teaching Time Required: 26.5 – 38.5 days
Textbook: Into Science
Topic 1: Matter & Energy in Organisms
Topic 1: Matter & Energy in Organisms
Number of Days: 6 - 9 days
Objectives:
Students explain the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of matter and energy within and between organisms.
Key Vocabulary:
Matter Molecule
Energy
Chemical Reaction
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 3 Matter and Energy in Living Systems – Lesson 1 Matter and Energy in Organisms
Topic 2: Resource Availability Affects Organisms
Topic 2: Resource Availability Affects Organisms
Number of Days: 7 - 10 days
Objectives:
Students interpret data to predict the effects of resource availability on the growth of organisms and populations in an ecosystem.
Key Vocabulary:
Ecosystem
Biotic Factor
Abiotic Factor
Species
Population
Community
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 3 Matter and Energy in Living Systems – Lesson 2 Resource Availability Affects Organisms
Topic 3: Interactions in Ecosystems
Topic 3: Interactions in Ecosystems
Number of Days: 5 - 8 days
Objectives:
Students explain patterns of interaction between organisms.
Key Vocabulary:
Predator
Prey
Herbivore
Symbiosis
Competition
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 3 Matter and Energy in Living Systems – Lesson 3 Interactions in Ecosystems
Topic 4: Matter & Energy in Ecosystems
Topic 4: Matter & Energy in Ecosystems
Number of Days: 6.5 - 9.5 days
Objectives:
Students develop a model to explain how matter and energy flow through ecosystems.
Key Vocabulary:
Producer
Consumer Decomposer
Food Web
Energy Pyramid
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 3 Matter and Energy in Living Systems – Lesson 4 Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Unit Test/ Labs
Unit Test/ Labs
Number of Days: 2 days
Standards List:
PE MS-LS1-6 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
PE MS-LS1-7 Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.
PE MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
PE MS-LS2-2 Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
PE MS-LS2-3 Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
Unit 4: Ecosystem Dynamics
Unit 4: Ecosystem Dynamics
Timing: Semester 2, Quarter 3
Teaching Time Required: 15 – 17 days
Textbook: Into Science
Topic 1: Biodiversity in Ecosystems
Topic 1: Biodiversity in Ecosystems
Number of Days: 4 - 5 days
Objectives:
Students use evidence to support an explanation of how changes in biodiversity can affect ecosystem health.
Key Vocabulary:
Biodiversity
Ecological Health
Biodiversity Hotspot
Influence
Disturbance
Introduced Species
Recovery
Stability
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 4 Ecosystem Dynamics – Lesson 1 Biodiversity in Ecosystems
Topic 2: Changes in Ecosystems
Topic 2: Changes in Ecosystems
Number of Days: 4 - 5 days
Objectives:
Students use evidence to support an explanation of how changes in ecosystems cause changes in populations.
Key Vocabulary:
Disturbance
Succession
Biodiversity
Dynamic
Gradual Change
Interconnected
Pioneer Species
Recovery
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 4 Ecosystem Dynamics – Lesson 2 Changes in Ecosystems
Topic 3: Maintaining Ecosystems
Topic 3: Maintaining Ecosystems
Number of Days: 5 days
Objectives:
Students will be able to evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Key Vocabulary:
Habitat Destruction
Habitat Fragmentation
Ecosystem Service
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science Unit 4 Ecosystem Dynamics – Lesson 3 Maintaining Ecosystems
Unit Test/ Labs
Unit Test/ Labs
Number of Days: 2 days
Standards List:
PE MS-LS2-4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
PE MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
PE MS-ETS1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Unit 5: The History of Life on Earth
Unit 5: The History of Life on Earth
Timing: Semester 2, Quarter 4
Teaching Time Required: 19 – 25 days
Textbook: Into Science
Topic 1: Fossil Record
Topic 1: Fossil Record
Number of Days: 6 - 8 days
Objectives:
Students will be able to explain how patterns in fossil data can be used to provide evidence for the history of life on Earth.
Key Vocabulary:
Fossil
Radiometric Dating
Fossil Record
Extinction
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 5 History of Life on Earth – Lesson 1 Fossil Record
Topic 2: Patterns of Change in Life on Earth
Topic 2: Patterns of Change in Life on Earth
Number of Days: 5.5 - 7.5 days
Objectives:
Students will be able to analyze patterns in the fossil record to explain changes in life on Earth over time.
Key Vocabulary:
Extinction
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 5 History of Life on Earth – Lesson 2 Patterns of Change in Life on Earth
Topic 3: Evidence of Common Ancestry
Topic 3: Evidence of Common Ancestry
Number of Days: 5.5 - 7.5 days
Objectives:
Students will be able to analyze patterns in data to provide evidence for evolutionary relationships among organisms.
Key Vocabulary:
Evolution
Common Ancestry
Anatomy
Embryology
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 5 History of Life on Earth – Lesson 3 Evidence of Common Ancestry
Unit Test/ Labs
Unit Test/ Labs
Number of Days: 2 days
Standards List:
MS-LS4-1: Students who demonstrate understanding can: Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past.
MS-LS4-2: Students who demonstrate understanding can: Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.
MS-LS4-3: Students who demonstrate understanding can: Analyze displays of pictorial data to compare patterns of similarities in the embryological development across multiple species to identify relationships not evident in the fully formed anatomy.
Unit 6: Evolution
Unit 6: Evolution
Timing: Semester 2, Quarter 4
Teaching Time Required: 17.5 – 26.5 days
Textbook: Into Science
Topic 1: Genetic Change & Traits
Topic 1: Genetic Change & Traits
Number of Days: 5 - 8 days
Objectives:
Students model analysis of fossil evidence, and explore relative and absolute age.
Key Vocabulary:
Adaptation
DNA
Gene Mutation
Protein
Amino Acid
Chromosome
Environment
Sequence
Trait
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 6 Evolution – Lesson 1 Genetic Change and Traits
Topic 2: Natural Selection
Topic 2: Natural Selection
Number of Days: 5 - 8 days
Objectives:
Students explore evidence of change in life over time, analyze patterns in extinction data, and model analysis of rock and fossil sequences.
Key Vocabulary:
Allele Frequency
Evolution
Extinction
Natural Selection
Variation
Advantage
Distribution
Genotype
Phenotype
Population
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 6 Evolution – Lesson 2 Natural Selection
Topic 3: Human Influence on Traits
Topic 3: Human Influence on Traits
Number of Days: 5.5 - 8.5 days
Objectives:
Students identify patterns of similarities in the anatomy and embryological development across species.
Key Vocabulary:
Artificial Selection
Biotechnology
Genetic Engineering
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)
Disrupt
Ethics
Individual
Selective Breeding
Society
Resources and Materials:
Into Science: Life Science - Unit 6 Evolution – Lesson 3 Human Influence on Traits
Unit Test/ Labs
Unit Test/ Labs
Number of Days: 2 days
Standards List:
MS-LS3-1 Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.
MS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.
MS-LS4-5 Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms.
MS-LS4-6 Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time.
Scientific Process Skills
Scientific Process Skills
Timing: All year
Teaching Time Required: Varies
Textbook: Embedded throughout
Objectives
Objectives
Ask questions, predict, observe, describe, measure, classify, make generalizations, infer, and communicate.
Plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types (such as systematic observations or experiments), identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.
Select appropriate tools for collecting qualitative and quantitative data and record measurements (volume, mass, distance) in metric units.
Develop a model describing phenomenon.
Conduct research to learn how the local environment is used by a variety of competing interests (e.g. competition for habitat/resources, tourism, oil, mining companies, and hunting groups).
Use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.
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