Units of Study

7th grade science at CMS is an integrated science class. The theme for seventh grade science is how matter and reactions are the basis for life science, particularly the molecules that make up life DNA/proteins, and their hierarchy to organ systems and heredity; and biogeochemical cycles including carbon and oxygen cycling through photosynthesis and aerobic cellular respiration. Earth and space science standards are addressed from a perspective based on matter and reactions (atmospheric composition, combustion, and climate change).

7th grade science at CMS is an integrated science class. The theme for seventh grade science is how matter and reactions are the basis for life science, particularly the molecules that make up life DNA/proteins, and their hierarchy to organ systems and heredity; and biogeochemical cycles including carbon and oxygen cycling through photosynthesis and aerobic cellular respiration. Earth and space science standards are addressed from a perspective based on matter and reactions (atmospheric composition, combustion, and climate change).


Tennessee State Science Standards

Overview: Different areas of science and their components are mixed heterogeneously throughout the middle school grades. The theme for seventh grade science is how matter and reactions are the basis for life science, particularly the molecules that make up life such as DNA and proteins, and their relation to cells, organs, organ systems, organisms and heredity; and the conservation of matter by examining carbon and oxygen cycling through photosynthesis and aerobic cellular respiration. In addition, earth and space science standards are addressed from a perspective of matter and their reactions including atmospheric composition, combustion, and climate change.

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES

The eight Science and Engineering Practices reflect the types of engagement a scientist or engineer encounters as part of their work and should be incorporated in a grade-appropriate manner in all grade.

  1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) to determine what is known, what has yet to be satisfactorily explained, and what problems need to be solved.

  2. Developing and using models to develop explanations for phenomena, to go beyond the observable and make predictions or to test designs

  3. Planning and carrying out controlled investigations to collect data that is used to test existing theories and explanations, revise and develop new theories and explanations, or assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and durability of designs under various conditions

  4. Analyzing and interpreting data with appropriate data presentation (graph, tables, statistics, etc.), identifying sources of error and the degree of certainty. Data analysis is used to derive meaning and evaluate solutions.

  5. Using mathematics and computational thinking as tools to represent variables and their relationships in models, simulations, and data analysis in order to make and test predictions.

  6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions to explain phenomena or solve problems.

  7. Engaging in argument from evidence to identify strengths and weaknesses in a line of reasoning, to identify best explanations, to resolve problems, and to identify best solutions.

Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information from scientific texts in order to derive meaning, evaluate validity, and integrate information.

SCIENCE CROSS CUTTING CONCEPTS

The seven Crosscutting Concepts reflect conceptual understandings that transcend any particular discipline, yet permeate into mastery-level understanding of any given discipline.

  1. Pattern observation and explanation

  2. Cause and effect relationships can be explained through a mechanism

  3. Scale, proportion, and quantity that integrate measurement, appreciation of scale in natural events, and precision of language

  4. Systems and system models with defined boundaries that can be investigated and characterized by the next three concepts

  5. Energy and matter conservation through transformations that flow or cycle into, out of, or within a system

  6. Structure and function of systems and their parts

  7. Stability and change of systems

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

7.LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

  1. Develop and construct models that identify and explain the structure and function of major cell organelles as they contribute to the life activities of the cell and organism.

  2. Conduct an investigation to demonstrate how the cell membrane maintains homeostasis through the process of passive transport.

  3. Evaluate evidence that cells have structural similarities and differences in organisms across kingdoms.

  4. Diagram the hierarchical organization of multicellular organisms from cells to organism.

  5. Explain that the body is a system comprised of subsystems that maintain equilibrium and support life through digestion, respiration, excretion, circulation, sensation (nervous and integumentary), and locomotion (musculoskeletal).

  6. Construct a scientific explanation based on compiled evidence for the processes of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and anaerobic respiration in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.


7.LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

  1. Develop a model to depict the cycling of matter, including carbon and oxygen, including the flow of energy among biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem.

7.LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

  1. Develop an argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to explain how behavioral and structural adaptations in animals and plants affect the probability of survival and reproductive success.

  2. Evaluate and communicate evidence that compares and contrasts the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction.

  3. Construct an explanation demonstrating that the function of mitosis for multicellular organisms is for growth and repair through the production of genetically identical daughter cells.


7.LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

  1. Hypothesize that the impact of structural changes to genes (i.e., mutations) located on chromosomes may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

  2. Distinguish between mitosis and meiosis and compare the resulting daughter cells.

  3. Predict the probability of individual dominant and recessive alleles to be transmitted from each parent to offspring during sexual reproduction and represent the phenotypic and genotypic patterns using ratios.

7.PS1: Matter and Its Interactions

  1. Develop and use models to illustrate the structure of atoms, including the subatomic particles with their relative positions and charge.

  2. Compare and contrast elemental molecules and compound molecules.

  3. Classify matter as pure substances or mixtures based on composition.

  4. Analyze and interpret chemical reactions to determine if the total number of atoms in the reactants and products support the Law of Conservation of Mass.

  5. Use the periodic table as a model to analyze and interpret evidence relating to physical and chemical properties to identify a sample of matter.

  6. Create and interpret models of substances whose atoms represent the states of matter with respect to temperature and pressure.

7.ESS3: Earth and Human Activity

  1. Graphically represent the composition of the atmosphere as a mixture of gases and discuss the potential for atmospheric change.

  2. Engage in a scientific argument through graphing and translating data regarding human activity and climate.


7.ETS2: Links Among Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science

  1. Examine a problem from the medical field pertaining to biomaterials and design a solution taking into consideration the criteria, constraints, and relevant scientific principles of the problem that may limit possible solutions.