Download Science – 7th Grade Core Concepts: 1) All living things share

Science – 7th Grade
Core Concepts:
1)
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All living things share common characteristics and are classified based upon similarities and differences of major physical characteristics.
The Earth itself and the life forms on it have evolved over geologic time.
The theory of evolution explains how species change over time via the process of natural selection.
Inherited traits are passed from parents to offspring in predictable patterns.
Many factors affect the flow and quality of water as it moves through the water cycle.
A variety of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources are used by people to meet their needs.
Living things meet their needs through interactions with the biotic and abiotic components in a biome.
Limiting factors act to influence the types and numbers of living things that can be supported in an ecosystem.
Essential Questions:
Title: Common Characteristics of Life / Classification
Standards
Content (What the Student Will Know)
Performance (What the Student will Do)
Activities/Assessments
3.1.7.A1
All living things share common
characteristics.
Determine if something is living or nonliving based upon its
ability to meet the criteria shared by all living things.
3.1.6.A1
3.1.6.A6
3.1.7.A2
Organisms are classified into kingdoms
based upon similarities and differences of
major physical characteristics.
Classify organisms into one of the major kingdoms based
upon similarities and differences of major characteristics.
Graphic organizer for
characteristics of living
things.
Kingdom Table graphic
organizer.
Kingdom Clues
matching activity.
CC.3.5.6-8.D
CC.3.5.6-8.E
3.1.7.B5
A. Scientists have developed a
systematic way of naming organisms.
A. Use scientific names to assess relationships among
organisms.
Kingdom Practical Exam
7 Levels of organization
graphic organizer.
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Science – 7th Grade
B. A dichotomous key is a tool that
taxonomists have developed to identify
organisms.
B. Use and make a dichotomous key to identify a set of
organisms.
A. Matching scientific
and common names.
B. “Keying out Trees” –
using a dichotomous
key
B. “It’s Classified” –
using a dichotomous
key
B. Making
Dichotomous Keys
– practice with fish
and animals
B. Leaf Dichotomous
Key Project
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Science – 7th Grade
Title: Earth’s Biologic History
Standards
Content (What the Student Will Know)
3.3.5.A3
4.1.8.B
Geologic process observed today such as
erosion, movement of lithospheric plates,
and changes in the composition of the
atmosphere are similar to those in the
past.
CC.3.5.6-8.A
Performance (What the Student will Do)
A. Relate the geologic processes happening today to the
same processes that have acted on Earth in the past.
B. Use geologic, fossil, and past climate evidence to
support the idea that the continents have not always
been located at their current locations.
Activities/Assessments
A. Reading and
discussion regarding
continental drift and
the theory of Plate
Tectonics.
B. Pangaea and
Continental Drift maps;
past, present, and
future.
3.3.7.A3
CC.3.5.6-8.I
Physical evidence, such as fossils,
supports the theory that the Earth and
the life forms on it have evolved over
geologic time.
A. Use fossil evidence, tree ring analysis, ice core
samples, etc. to support the theory that the Earth
and its organisms have changed over time.
B. Determine the relative age of fossils using the Law of
Superposition.
C. Compare and contrast absolute dating with relative
dating.
D. Arrange major events in the Geologic Time Scale in the
B. Video – Faces of
Earth: Building the
Planet
A. Graphic organizer on
fossil types and
formation.
A. Video: Saber Tooth
Cat –what kinds of
evidence can fossils tell
us about Earth’s past.
A. Video: Ice Man – a
study on how fossils link
us to our past.
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Science – 7th Grade
order of appearance and in a way that demonstrates the scale
of
time that occurred between each event.
A. Tree Ring Analysis
Lab – What information
about past climate can
tree rings indicate?
B. Relative Dating
graphic organizer and
examples
B. Who’s on First? –
Relative Dating Activity
C. Venn diagram on
Relative and Absolute
Dating
D. Geologic Time
Graphic Organizer
D. 4-Square pictogram
of the 4 major Eras of
Geologic Time.
D. Taking Steps in
Geologic Time –
outdoor activity
D. Geologic Time
Column activity – match
the clue to the event.
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Science – 7th Grade
D. Video Clip Review:
Faces of Earth
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Science – 7th Grade
Title: Natural Selection
Standards
Content (What the Student Will Know)
Performance (What the Student will Do)
Activities/Assessments
3.1.6.C1
There are differences between instinctive
(inherited) and learned (acquired)
behaviors that relate to survival.
A. Differentiate between inherited and acquired traits.
A. Graphic Organizer:
Compare and
Contrast Darwin vs.
Lamarck
CC.3.5.6-8.H
B. Describe how Charles Darwin devised the theory of
evolution and why it is the only accepted scientific theory
that describes how species change over time.
B. Study of Darwin’s
voyage to the
Galapagos Islands
using readings and
maps.
3.1.5.C2
3.1.7.C1
3.1.7.C2
4.1.8.D
CC.3.5.6-8.C
The theory of evolution explains how
species change over time via the process
of natural selection.
A. Explain and model how the four factors that govern
natural selection (overproduction, variation, adaptation,
and selection) work in a population to bring changes to a
species.
B. Video – Galapagos
A. Theory of Evolution
– Frayer model
graphic organizer
A. Understanding
B. Use examples of organisms found on the Galapagos Islands
Natural Selection
to explain how speciation occurs.
graphic organizer
C. Model how natural selection occurs.
B. Examples of Natural
Selection (fish, polar
bears)
C. Bird Beak Analysis
activity
C. Modeling Natural
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Science – 7th Grade
Selection activity
Standards
Content (What the Student Will Know)
Performance (What the Student will Do)
Activities/Assessments
3.1.8.C1
Reproductive success coupled with
advantageous traits over many
generations contributes to natural
selection and speciation.
Describe how different types of isolating mechanisms can
produce speciation through reproductive isolation.
Reproductive Isolation
graphic organizer
Assess evolutionary
diagrams depicting
speciation.
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Science – 7th Grade
3.1.7.C3
CC.3.5.6-8.F
There are geologic, fossil, genetic and
comparative anatomical evidence that
provide the basis for the theory of
evolution.
Explain the different kinds of scientific evidence that support
the theory of evolution.
Constructing Support:
Evidence of Evolution
graphic organizer
Peppered Moth project
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Science – 7th Grade
Title: Genetics and Heredity
Standards
Content (What the Student Will Know)
Performance (What the Student will Do)
Activities/Assessments
3.1.5.B1
Genetic instructions influence inherited
traits, which are passed from parent to
offspring.
A. A Punnett Square can be used to
predict simple patterns of inheritance as
demonstrated by Gregor Mendel.
Assess why dominant traits tend to appear more frequently in
a population as well as identify situations in which the
recessive form of a trait would appear more frequently.
A. Use a Punnett Square to determine the probability of an
offspring having a particular genotype and phenotype.
Lab: Dominant and
Recessive Alleles
B. Patterns of inheritance include
dominant/recessive, codominant,
polygenic, incomplete dominance,
and sex-lined.
B. Recognize several different types of inheritance patterns
and give examples of each.
A. Punnett Square
CC.3.5.6-8.D
3.1.7.B1
CC.3.6.6-8.B
A. Assessing Genetic
Corn inheritance
(proving 3:1 ratio)
Practice
A. Bikini Bottom
Genetics
C. Many types of disorders are inherited.
D. Pedigrees can be used to investigate
and understand familial inheritance of
traits.
C. Identify common examples of genetic disorders and their
inheritance patterns.
A. The Test Cross
D. Use a pedigree to answer questions regarding the
genotypes and phenotypes of its members.
B. Inheritance Patterns
4 Square/ Foldable
B. Practice Packet:
Inheritance Patterns
B. Blood Typing Lab
B. Blood Type Genetic
Problems
C. Genetic Disorders
Foldable
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Science – 7th Grade
D. Pedigrees of the Rich
and Famous
D. The Blue People of
Kentucky
3.1.7.B4
CC.3.6.6-8.A
Selective breeding and biotechnology can
alter the genetic composition of
organisms.
Debate the pros and cons of technologies using selective
breeding and biotechnologies.
DNA Technologies 4Square Video: Decoding
Dogs – how selective
breeding leads to
domestication
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Science – 7th Grade
Title: Watersheds and Wetlands
Standards
Content (What the Student Will Know)
Performance (What the Student will Do)
Activities/Assessments
4.2.5.C
Water is a unique substance due to its
physical and chemical properties.
Demonstrate how the polarity of water affects its ability to
form surface tension, cohesion, capillary action, and its use as
a solvent.
Properties of Water
Graphic Organizer.
4.1.5.B
4.2.5.A
4.2.7.A
4.2.8.A
4.2.6.A
Water enters, moves through, and leaves
a watershed.
Describe how water moves through the water cycle.
How Many Drops Fit on a
Penny - activity
Water Distribution and
Use graphic organizer
PLAY – Water Cycle
Graphic Organizer
A. There are six major watersheds in
Pennsylvania.
A. Identify and describe the six major watersheds in
Pennsylvania.
B. Use a topography map to outline the boundaries of a
B. Many factors affect the flow of water
watershed.
and run-off pollution within a watershed.
C. Many kinds of maps and GIS technology C. Describe how different factors affect the flow of water and
how water pollution moves through a watershed.
can be used to investigate water flow
and water quality issues within
watersheds.
Water Drop Journey
activity
A. Watershed Graphic
Organizer
A. Six Ways to the Sea –
Meet the Watersheds
of PA graphic
organizer
B. Topography –
Mapping Out
Watersheds
B. Big River Topographic
Map Activity
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Science – 7th Grade
4.2.7.A
Streams are given orders based upon their
physical parameters.
Determine the stream order of a stream and relate this to the
physical and biological properties of that stream.
B. Copycat – Go With
the Flow worksheet
C. National Geographic Chesapeake Bay
Fieldscope lessons
and use of GIS
technology.
Stream Order graphic
organizer
Stream Order practice
sheets.
River Continuum graphic
organizer.
4.2.5.B
4.2.6.B
4.2.7.B
4.2.8.B
A. Wetlands are areas of land that have
hydric soil, hydrophilic plants, and
standing water.
A. Identify wetlands and differentiate between marshes,
swamps, and bogs.
A Wet World –
macroinvertebrate intro
A. Wetland
Characteristics graphic
organizer.
B. Describe the many different functions that wetlands
B. Wetlands provide many important
functions to people as well as to
wildlife.
C. Wetlands have been disappearing at an
alarming rate since European
development.
perform.
A. Wetland matching
(visuals)
C. Explain the main threats to wetlands.
B. Wetland Functions
graphic
organizer.
B. Wetland Metaphors
activity.
C. John Smith’s
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Science – 7th Grade
4.2.6.C
4.2.7.C
4.2.8.A
4.2.8.C
4.5.5.C
A. Both natural and human-made factors
affect the quality of surface and ground
water.
B. Pollution can be categorized as either
point or nonpoint.
CC.3.6.6-8.F
C. Drinking Water Treatment and Waste
Water Treatment plants act to keep our
water supply clean and healthy.
A. Identify how natural and human-made factors affect the
quality of surface and ground water.
B1. Categorize pollution as either point or nonpoint and
design a plan of action to address the pollution.
B2. Explain how eutrophication occurs and why it is a
problem in the Chesapeake Bay.
Chesapeake –
comparing the
Chesapeake Bay then
and now.
A. Water Pollution
graphic organizer.
B1. Water Pollution
Graphic organizer /
notes.
B1. Legislation – A Few
Pollution Laws.
B3. Demonstrate the process of Biomagnificaiton.
B4. Using information about water pollution, devise a plan for
development of an area utilizing best management
practices to minimize negative affects of pollution.
B2. Eutrophication
sequence graphic
organizer.
B.3 Deadly Links activity.
C. Explain how drinking water and waste water are treated.
B3. Biomagnification
Handout
B3. Video Clip – Water
to the Last Drop
B4. What’s in the
Water? – Lab
Activity
B4. Dragonfly Pond
activity
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Science – 7th Grade
C. Components of
Municipal Water and
Wastewater
Treatment Systems
diagram.
C. The Path of Water
through a City
handout.
C. Location, Location
assessment sheet.
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Science – 7th Grade
Title: Natural Resources
Standards
Content (What the Student Will Know)
Performance (What the Student will Do)
Activities/Assessments
3.3.5.A2
3.3.8.A2
4.3.7.A
4.3.7.B
4.5.6.A
4.5.7.A
4.5.8.A
A. Many products used by humans are
derived from natural resources.
A. Describe the natural resources used in the manufacture of
A. Materials in a Pencil
diagram
B. Resources are categorized as renewable
B. Differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable
or nonrenewable.
C. The development of civilization affects
the use of natural resources.
products.
C. Suggest best management practices for conserving
natural resources.
CC.3.5.6-8.I
4.3.8A
4.5.6.A
4.5.7.A
4.5.7.D
4.5.7.E
4.5.8.C
4.5.8.D
A. Fossil fuels have many advantages and
disadvantages.
A1. Differentiate between the formation of coal and that of
oil and natural gas.
A.2 Explain advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels.
B. Many types of pollution result as a
consequence of using natural resources for
energy production.
B. Relate pollution caused by resource use to human and
environmental health (i.e. acid rain, greenhouse effect climate c
change, ground level ozone (smog).
CC.3.6.6-8.C
C. Many types of alternative energy
resources are being developed to meet
human needs.
B. Generations activity
resources.
C. Compare and contrast various types of natural resources
that can be used for energy and explain the advantages
and disadvantages of each.
B. Need versus Greed
activity
C. Discussion / Research
/ Presentations on
Best Management
Practices.
A1. What is Coal? handout.
A1. Discuss the
formation of coal
and show examples
of each of the
intermediate types
of coal.
A1. Video Clip: Faces of
Earth – coal and oil
formation and
exploration.
A1. Graphing analysis
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Science – 7th Grade
and comparison of
fossil fuel use and
production.
A2 Notes / Discussion on
the pros and cons of
fossil fuels.
B. 4-Square graphic
organizer: Pollution
from Burning Fossil
Fuels.
B. Acid Precipitation
information sheet
B. Canaries and Trout –
What’s the
Connection?
B. The Greenhouse
Effect – handout
B. Diagram the Carbon
Cycle
B. Information handout
on Ground Level vs.
atmospheric ozone.
B. Video: Earth, the
Biograph:
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Science – 7th Grade
Atmosphere
C. Energy Resources
table graphic organizer
C. Written assignment:
To Dam or Not to Dam
4.1.6.D
4.5.5.D
4.1.7.A
4.1.7.B
Conservation of Natural Resources
involves reducing our use, reusing items,
and recycling.
Both biotic and abiotic components of an
ecosystem are interdependent on each
other.
Identify ways to conserve our use of natural resources by
reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Energy Conservation
handout / discussion /
examples.
A. Identify biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem and A. Graphic Organizer on
explain how they are interdependent on each other.
Abiotic Factors.
B. Explain biogeochemical cycles within an ecosystem (i.e.
CC.3.5.6-8.J
nitrogen, water, carbon cycles).
A. Graphic organizer on
soils and soil horizons.
B. Nutrient Cycling
graphic organizers.
3.1.5.C1
3.1.7.A8
4.1.7.A
A. There are six major land biomes
CC.3.5.6-8.G
B. Plants and animals in different biomes
A. Describe and locate on a map the 6 major land biomes.
B. Cycles in Ecosystems
packet
A. Packet on Biomes.
B. Explain a variety of adaptations that plants and animals
A. Graphic organizer
table on 6 major land
biomes
categorized by their climate and
characteristic flora and fauna.
utilize varying adaptations to help them
survive in their habitat.
have/use in order to survive in different biomes.
A. Mapping biomes
activity
A. Assessing
Temperature and
Precipitation graphs.
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Science – 7th Grade
B. Activity - match the
organism to its biome.
4.1.7.E
CC.3.5.6-8.B
Ecosystems undergo a series of
predictable changes in flora and fauna
called ecological succession until a climax
community is reached.
A. Describe the predictable
changes that an ecosystem
goes through until a climax
community is reached.
B. Differentiate between
primary and secondary
succession.
B. Activity – match the
organism to its
adaptation.
A. Succession graphic
organizer.
B. Compare and contrast
primary and
secondary succession.
B. Activity: Putting
succession in order.
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Science – 7th Grade
Title: Population Dynamics and Organism Interactions
Standards
Content (What the Student Will Know)
Performance (What the Student will Do)
3.1.7.A8
3.1.8.A8
4.1.7.A
Interactions among organisms in an
ecosystem may involve predation,
competition and cooperation
A. Identify and describe three types of symbiotic relationships A. Foldable for
of organisms including mutualism, commensalism, and
parasitism.
B. Describe and analyze various predator/prey relationships.
Activities/Assessments
Symbiotic Relationships.
B. Graphic organizer for
predator/prey
interactions.
C. Describe various ways in which organisms compete and
cooperate for survival.
B. Graphing analysis of
interactions among
organisms and
predator/prey
relationships.
C. Reading and
discussions on various
ways organisms
compete and cooperate.
3.1.5.C1
4.5.7.C
A. Populations of organisms have defining
characteristics related to size, density,
spacing, and age structure.
A1. Explain the four factors that define populations.
B. Limiting factors in an environment act
B. Describe how density-dependent and density-independent
CC.3.6.6-8.J.I
A2. Discuss advantages of different types of population
spacing and analyze age structure diagrams and predict
future needs of populations.
C. Video: Triumph of
Life – 4 million year
war.
A1. Graphic organizer
on
populations and
population defining
factors.
to restrict population sizes.
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Science – 7th Grade
limiting factors act to limit the size of populations.
C. Limiting factors act in concert to
determine the carrying capacity for an
ecosystem.
C.1 Determine the carrying capacity of an environment for a
particular population of organisms.
C2. Predict consequences of a population overshooting its
carrying capacity and recommend strategies to keep
population numbers at a healthy level.
A2. Analysis of
Population
spacing and age
structure.
B. Limiting Factor
activity
B. Limiting Factor
graphic organizer
C1. Carrying Capacity
graphic organizer.
C1. Oh, Deer! Activity
4.1.5.D
4.1.7.D
4.1.7.E
4.5.6.C
4.5.6.D
4.5.7.B
4.5.7.C
4.5.8.C
A. Biodiversity is related to an
ecosystem’s ability to adapt to changes.
B. Reasons why organisms become
threatened, endangered, or extinct may be
both natural and man-made.
A. Relate Biodiversity to the health of an ecosystem and its
ability to adapt to change.
B. Differentiate between the terms threatened, endangered
and extinct.
C. Describe several ways that human actions can have both
C. Humans can have both positive and
negative impacts on the environment.
D. Introduced organisms may become
invasive and cause ecological and
economical damage.
advantageous as well as detrimental effects on the
environment.
D. Identify common invasive species and explain why invasive
species are an ecological and economical threat.
C2. Graphing analysis on
carrying capacity.
A. Biodiversity Fact
Sheet
A. Loss of Biodiversity
graphic organizer.
A. Video: Natural
Connections.
B. Graphic organizer for
terms.
B. Discussion on both
natural and human20
Science – 7th Grade
made causes of
decreasing organism
populations.
B. Endangered Species
graph analysis.
C. Discussion on how
human interactions can
have both good and bad
affects on the
environment.
D. Invasive Species
posters (research and
presentations).
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