7th Grade Science Unit 5

Big Idea:

Natural catastrophic events and human activity shape our Earth and affect our water resources.

Student Expectations:

Priority TEKS

7.8(A) [Readiness] predict and describe how catastrophic events such as floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes impact ecosystems

7.8(C) [Supporting] model the effects of human activity on groundwater and surface water in a watershed.

Focus TEKS

7.8(B) [Supporting] analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas.

Ongoing TEKS

7.1(A) [Tools To Know] Demonstrate safe practices during laboratory and field investigations

7.1(B) [Tools to Know] Practice appropriate use and conservation of resources, including disposal, reuse, or recycling of materials.

7.2(A) [Tools To Know] The student is expected to plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations by making observations, asking well defined questions, and using appropriate equipment and technology.

7.2(E) [Ways to Show] analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations, communicate valid conclusions supported by the data, and predict trends.

7.4(A) [Tools To Know] use appropriate tools to collect, record, and analyze information, including life science models, hand lens, stereoscopes, microscopes, beakers, Petri dishes, microscope slides, graduated cylinders, test tubes, meter sticks, metric rulers, metric tape measures, timing devices, hot plates, balances, thermometers, calculators, water test kits, computers, temperature and pH probes, collecting nets, insect traps, globes, digital cameras, journals/notebooks, and other

7.4(B) [Tools To Know] use preventative safety equipment, including chemical splash goggles, aprons, and gloves, and be prepared to use emergency safety equipment, including an eye/face wash, a fire blanket, and a fire extinguisher.

Student Learning Targets:

• I will understand how the Earth is affected by weathering, erosion and deposition.
• I will understand that human activity and natural events can shape the Earth and its water resources.
• I will compare and contrast catastrophic events and how they shape Earth.
• I will model the effects of human activities on groundwater, surface water, and a watershed.
• I will write about how humans can impact watersheds and how we can manage the effects of human activity.

Essential Questions:

• How do different types of catastrophic events impact ecosystems?
• Why is it important to protect watersheds?
• How does human activity affect a watershed?
• How does weathering, erosion, and deposition affect Texas ecoregions?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook: Texas STEM, McGraw-Hill

District Grading Policy

Texas Gateway Online Resource Center