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Brian Piccolo Middle School 53
THE NEW EMPOWERMENT SCHOOL
2007-2008
7 Grade Science
Course of Study
th
Teacher’s Name: _________________
Contact Information
Email address: ______________________________________________
School Phone Number: (718) 471-6900
Student Textbooks
Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, Globe Fearon: 2003
Concepts and Challenges in Life Science, Globe Fearon: 2003
Concepts and Challenges in Physical Science, Globe Fearon: 2003
** Students will be held responsible for returning each textbook at the end of the school year in the condition it
was given to them. Each student has a designated number which appears in each book. **
Course Description
This Intermediate Level Science course of study is based on the Scope and Sequence, specifically
outlined in the New York City Science Core Curriculum (2007-2008). The Core Curriculum addresses
the content and skills to be tested by the 8th Grade New York State Intermediate Level Science
Assessment. During the 2007-2008 school year, emphasis will be placed on understanding important
relationships, processes, mechanisms, and applications of concepts. Future assessments will test
students’ ability to explain, analyze, and interpret scientific processes and phenomena more than their
ability to recall specific facts. Critical to understanding science concepts is the use of scientific inquiry to
develop explanations of natural phenomena. Students will have the opportunity to develop their skills of
analysis, inquiry, and design through active laboratory work on a regular basis that supports every
chapter in their textbook.
Topics of study will include Earth as a system, rocks and minerals, fossils and Earth’s history, plate
tectonics, properties of sound and light, properties of matter, physical and chemical changes,
understanding chemical reactions, photosynthesis and respiration, levels of organization, the human
body, animal structures, plants, and one-celled organisms.
New York City/State Science Exam Requirements
Students taking this course are preparing for the New York State 8th grade science exam. Currently,
there are no assessments by either New York City or New York State in 7th grade science this year.
Grading Policy
The grading policy breakdown is consistent with that of Brian Piccolo MS53.
(Recommendation: Include it here!)
Homework
Homework will be assigned every day, should be numbered, and be in class with the student on the day it
is due.
Portfolio
Each student will receive a folder and checklist to hold and monitor portfolio work. Special assignments
will be selected to demonstrate student progress toward grade level standards. Each student is
responsible for completing portfolio assignments and/or making arrangements with their teacher to make
up missed or incomplete assignments. Student portfolios are reviewed for promotional recommendation
at the end of the school year.
Classroom Assessments and Exams
A full-period classroom exam will be given at the end of approximately every three weeks. All students
must be present for exams. If a student is absent on the day an exam is administered, the student must
provide a note from home validating his/her absence upon return to class. In addition, the student is
responsible for making arrangements with the teacher to schedule a make-up exam. The teacher will
keep all exams in the classroom.
Projects/Lab Reports
Projects and Lab Activities will be assigned during the school year. Students will be able to work alone
or in groups of 2 or 3. Details regarding the projects/lab reports will be given at a later date.
Course of Study
See Attachment
Page 2
The following is an outline of this year’s 7th grade course of study by month:
September
Th-13, Fri-14
Rosh Hashanah
October
Mon-8
Columbus day
November
Tu-6
Election Day
Mon-12
Veterans Day
Th-22, Fr-23
Thanksgiving
Key Focus (Physical Science - Simple and Compound/Complex Machines)
Unit 1: Chapter 1 – The Nature of Science
 What is science?
 Science in Action
 Models in Science
 Evaluating Scientific Explanation
Lab - What is the right answer?
Lab - Identifying Parts of an Investigation
Key Focus (Physical Science - Simple and Compound/Complex Machines)
Unit 1: Chapter 2 - Energy and Energy Resources
 What is energy?
 Energy Transformations
Lab - Hearing with Your Jaw
 Sources of Energy
Lab - Use the Internet
 Energy to Power Your Life
Key Focus (Physical Science - Simple and Compound/Complex Machines)
Unit 1: Chapter 3 - Work and Simple Machines
 Work and Power
Lab: Building the Pyramids
 Using Machines
 Simple Machines
Unit 1 Exam (Chapters 1, 2, 3)
December
Mon-24 thru
Tu-1/1/08
Winter Recess
Key Focus (Earth Science - The Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Lithosphere)
Unit 1: Chapter 1 – The Structure of the Earth `
 What is Earth Science?
 What are the main parts of Earth?
 What are Maps?
 What is a map projection?
 What are latitude and longitude?
 How do you read a map?
Lab: Making a Topographic Map
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December
Mon-24 thru
Tu-1/1/08
Winter Recess
Unit 1: Chapter 3 - Rocks and Their Origins
 What are rocks?
 How are igneous rocks formed?
 How are igneous rocks classified?
 How are sedimentary rocks formed?
 How are sedimentary rocks classified?
 How are metamorphic rocks formed?
 How are metamorphic rocks classified?
 What is the rock cycle?
Lab: Modeling What Lies Beneath Earth’s Surface
Unit 1: Chapter 4 – The Rock Record
 How are organisms preserved?
Lab: Modeling a Fossil Formation
 Why do scientists study fossils?
 How do fossils help us date rocks?
 How is a rock’s absolute age determined?
 What is the geologic time scale?
 What are Fossils fuels?
January
Mon-1
Winter Recess
Mon-22
Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.
Day
February
Mon-19 thru
Fri-22 Midwinter
Recess
Key Focus (Earth Science - The Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Lithosphere)
Unit 1: Chapter 6 – Plate Tectonics
 What is continental drift?
 Why is the seafloor spreading?
 What evidence supports seafloor spreading?
 What is plate tectonics?
 What causes plate tectonics?
Lab: Modeling Convection Currents
 What are some effects of plate tectonics?
Key Focus (Earth Science - The Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Lithosphere)
Unit 2: Chapter 6 - Atmosphere
 Earth’s Atmosphere
Lab: Evaluating Sunscreens
 Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere
 Air Movement
Lab: Design Your Own
 The Heat is On
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March
Key Focus (Life Science - The Basics of Life)
Unit 1: Chapter 1 – Characteristics of Living Things
 What is life science?
 What are living things?
 What are the needs of organisms?
 How do organisms use energy?
 How to organisms respond to change?
Lab: Investigating Stimulus and Response
 Where do organisms come from?
Unit 1: Chapter 2- Cell Structure and Function
 What is a microscope?
 What are cells?
 What are the main cell parts?
 What are other cell parts?
April
Mon-21 thru
Fri-25
Spring Recess
Key Focus (Life Science - The Human Body)
Unit 6 Chapter 13– Support and Movement
 What are tissues?
 What are organs and organ systems?
 What is skeletal system?
 What are bones?
 How do joints work?
 What is the muscular system?
Lab: Modeling Muscle Movement
 What are the kinds of muscle?
Unit 6: Chapter 14 – Digestion and Nutrition
 What are nutrients?
 Why are proteins important?
 Why are vitamins important?
 Why are minerals important?
Lab: Testing Foods for Nutrients
 What is a balanced diet?
 What is the digestive system?
 What is digestion?
 What happens to food in the stomach?
 What happens to food in the small intestine?
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May
Mon-26
Memorial Day
Key Focus (Life Science - The Human Body)
Unit 6: Chapter 15 – Transport in the Body
 What is the circulatory system?
 What are the parts of the heart?
 What are blood vessels?
 What is blood?
Lab: Observing Blood Cells
 What happens to blood as it circulates?
Unit 6: Chapter 16 – Respiration and Excretion
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June
Th-5
Chancellor’s
Staff
Development
Day
What is the respiratory system?
What are breathing and respiration?
Lab: Modeling Breathing
What happens to air before it reaches the lungs?
How does oxygen get into the blood?
What is excretory system?
How do the kidneys work?
Key Focus (Life Science - The Plant Kingdom)
Unit 3: Chapter 8 - Structure and Function
 What are roots?
 What are stems?
 What are leaves?
 What is photosynthesis?
 What are flowers?
 What are seeds and fruits?
Lab: Identifying the Part of a Flower
 What are the parts of a seed?
Key Focus (Life Science - The Animal Kingdom)
Unit 4: Chapter 9 - Animals Without Backbones
 How are animals classified?
 What are sponges?
 What are cnidarians?
 What are worms?
 What are mollusks?
 What are echinoderms?
 What is regeneration?
Lab: Determining the Age of a Clam
 What are arthropods?
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June
Th-5
Chancellor’s
Staff
Development
Day
Key Focus (The Animal Kingdom)
Unit 4: Chapter 10 – Animals With Backbones
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What are chordates?
What are fish?
What are amphibians?
How do amphibians develop?
What are reptiles?
What are birds?
Lab: Investigating an Owl Pellet
What are mammals?
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