7th Grade Science
Classification of Life, Plants, Cells, Microscopes, Earth's Cycles, Water, Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Sustainability, and Climate Change
1st Day Contract.docx7th Grade Course Outline The seventh grade year is focused around all life on Earth and how life is impacted, related to, and shares a relationship both positively and negatively with the nonliving factors and other living factors on our planet. It's about understand the global connections that all life has on our planet.
Taxonomy
Classification of Living Things: Learning TargetsIn our Taxonomy unit focuses on the classification of living organisms and how scientists organize and categorize all of the World's living creatures. We wrap-up this unit with an endangered species project that looks at the classification of individual endangered species, while the student's research how and why the species they picked reached endangered status.
Plants, Cells, and Microscopes
Cells, Plant I.D. and Photosynthesis: Learning TargetsMicroscopes: Learning TargetsIn our plant and cell unit, students first start with a quick review of plant and animal cells based on their previous knowledge from 6th grade science. We compare and contrast the similarities and differences. Then we move onto identifying plant species using our understanding of taxonomy and classification, we identify native trees to NH after our hike of Belknap Mountain. After identifying and studying each tree species we move onto one of the most important cycle on Earth: photosynthesis.
Using microscopes we look at individual cells and different types of microscopic creates to help better understand the microscopic world around us and how important the field of microbiology is to better understanding the role cells play in life.
Earth's Cycles
Earth’s Cycles: Learning TargetsIn our Earth's cycles unit, students start by studying the process of photosynthesis and its importance to all life on Earth. Then we move onto the carbon and nitrogen cycle and investigate the role different atmospheric gases play to maintain life on Earth. We look at the growing issues around carbon emissions and how to scientifically approach the issues around global warming and climate change. Finally, we review the water cycle and build upon last year's previous knowledge.
Ecology
Movement of Energy and Food Webs: Learning TargetsEarth's Water: Learning TargetsPopulations: Learning TargetsIntraspecific Relationships: Learning TargetsIn our Ecology unit we cover a vast variety of dynamics found within global fresh and salt water ecosystems. We first start by looking at the movement of energy through an ecosystem by identifying what energy really is, how animals and plants obtain energy, and why the way humans obtain energy is different than anything the natural world has ever known. We wrap-up energy systems by creating energy pyramids and food webs based on an ecosystem that is dependant upon water. The focus a lot of our attention on fresh and saltwater ecosystems because throughout this unit we incorporate the importance of water on our planet and the many different ways it allow for life to exist.
Next in our ecology unit, we move onto population dynamics and analyze the multitude of relationships living creates have with each other in a variety if global fresh and saltwater ecosystems. We examine the rise and fall of different populations in ecosystems and evaluate the requirements life needs in order to maintain a healthy status quo. We investigate the positive and negative relationships with an ecosystem and evaluate each relationship and how all life is connected in some way whether it's good or bad. Students then tackle the issue of human population and what rapid human population growth means for the future of our planet.
Evolution and Genetics
In our Evolution unit, we investigate how life on Earth changes over time. Students will analyze evidence from a wide-range of scientific areas to help better examine how life on Earth changes due to various environmental requirements. We will also look back in time to determine why some life on Earth is extinct and what those extinctions can help us learn about the future of life on our planet.
In our genetics unit, we look at the basics of genetics such as the structure of our DNA, the processes of cell division, genetic mutations and how they can be beneficial or harmful, and finally the passing of genetic information from parent to offspring using Mendelian Genetics.
In our Evolution Unit students look at Earth's past life through fossil evidence by researching fossils, students investigate the different ways fossils are formed and how each individual fossil can tell scientists a lot about what life use to be like on Earth.
Sustainability and Climate Change
Sustainability: Learning Targets Climate Change: Learning TargetsIn our Sustainability unit students look at what it means to live sustainably and why it's important to live a sustainable lifestyle in today's world. We investigate and evaluate the world's food systems. How much food is wasted every year? Why is food so important? Do we need to eat meat? Students will work together to examine the importance of food on a global scale.
Our discussion on climate change is one that travels with us throughout the year. As a class, we examine the cause and effects of a changing climate in today's world and how humanity is actively changing the world's climate. We discuss the importance of knowing the different between weather and climate by looking at long-term data trends to help provide evidence to support the position of a changing climate. This topic is tied into every unit we cover and throughout the year we are investigating ways humans are working to create new technology to help in the fight against climate change.