Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Northwestern Consolidated Schools of Shelby County
Curriculum
7th grade Science
Prepared by:
Greg Hill
and
Bruce Stone
2012
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Triton Central Middle School
Mission Statement
We are committed to providing and exiting, healthy, safe, and inspiring
learning environment where staff, students, parents, and community
think creatively and utilize teamwork to maximize learning and
achievement.
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Triton Central Middle School
7th grade science
Narrative Description
Seventh grade science consists of a mix of earth science,
physical science, and life science. Many of the concepts
overlap and build on each other throughout the year
allowing repetition to better enable students to retain the
information.
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Course Concepts and Generalizations
The Nature of Science and Technology
Students gain scientific knowledge by observing the natural and constructed
world, performing and evaluating investigations, and communicating their
findings. These principles should guide student work and be integrated into
the curriculum along with the content standards on a daily basis.
Physical Science
Explain that energy cannot be created or destroyed but instead can only be
changed from one form into another or transferred from place to place.
Describe and investigate how forces between objects can act at a distance or
by means of direct contact between objects.
Earth and Space Systems
Describe how earth processes have shaped the topography of the earth and
have made it possible to measure geological time.
Life Science
Understand the cellular structure of single-celled and multicellular
organisms.
The Design Process
As citizens of the constructed world, students will participate in the design
process. Students will learn to use materials and tools safely and employ
the basic principles of the engineering design process in order to find
solutions to problems.
Science, Engineering and Technology
Design and construct a device that converts energy from one form to
another to perform work
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Unit 1 – Nature of Science (total days for Unit 1 = 20-25)
Students gain scientific knowledge by observing the natural and constructed world, performing
and evaluating investigations and communicating their findings. These principles should guide
student work and be integrated into the curriculum along with the content standards on a daily
basis.
Indiana Academic Standards:
Process Standards:
7.1 Make predictions and develop testable questions based on research and prior knowledge.
(L2)
7.2 Plan and carry out investigations as a class, in small groups or independently often over a
period of several class lessons. (L2)
7.3 Collect quantitative data with appropriate tools or technologies and use appropriate units
to label numerical data. (L2)
7.4 Incorporate variables that can be changed, measured or controlled. (L2)
7.5 Use the principles of accuracy and precision when making measurement. (L3)
7.6 Test predictions with multiple trials. (L3)
7.7 Keep accurate records in a notebook during investigations. (L2)
7.8 Analyze data, using appropriate mathematical manipulation as required, and use it to
identify patterns and make inferences based on these patterns. (L2)
7.9 Evaluate possible causes for differing results (valid data). (L3)
7.10 Compare the results of an experiment with the prediction. (L2)
7.11 Communicate findings using graphs, charts, maps and models through oral and written
reports. (L2)
Essential Questions
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What are the types of scientific knowledge?
How are scientific investigations conducted?
How do scientists organize, analyze, and present data?
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Lessons / Topics (total days)
Lesson 1 – Scientific Knowledge (4)
Lesson 2 – Scientific Investigations (4)
Lesson 3 – Representing Data (3)
Assessments
Unit Pre-Post Exam
Unit Project: Excel Basics, Bubble Gum data collecting and graphing with excel, M&M Graphing
activity
Vocabulary Quiz (1 per unit)
Outline of Key Topics
Lesson 1 – Scientific Knowledge
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The nature of science and empirical evidence
Theory versus law
Scientific change
Lesson 2 – Scientific Investigations
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Types of scientific investigations
Conducting a scientific investigation
Characteristics of reliable scientific investigations
Lesson 3 – Representing Data
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Tables
Graphs
Models
Precision and Accuracy
Key Vocabulary
Empirical evidence, theory, law, experiment, observation, hypothesis, independent variable,
dependent variable, data, model, precision, accuracy
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Unit 2 – Motion and Forces (total days for Unit 2 = 26)
Explain that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from one form into
another or transferred from place to place.
Indiana Academic Standards:
Process Standards:
7.8 Analyze data, using appropriate mathematical manipulation as required, and use it to
identify patterns and make inferences based on these patterns.
7.11 Communicate findings using graphs, charts, maps, and models through oral and written
reports.
Standard 1 - Physical Science:
7.1.5 Describe and investigate how forces between objects can act at a distance, such as
magnetic, electrical, or gravitational forces, or by means of direct contact between objects. (L3)
7.1.6 Explain that forces have magnitude and direction and those forces can be added to
determine the net force acting on an object. (L3)
7.1.7 Demonstrate and describe an object’s speed or direction of motion changes when a force
acts upon it. Demonstrate and describe that an object’s speed and direction of motion remain
unchanged if the net force acting upon it is zero. (L1,2,3)
Essential Questions
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How are distance, time, and speed related?
How does motion change?
What causes motion?
What are some types of forces?
Lessons / Topics (total days)
Lesson 1 – Motion and Speed (6)
Lesson 2 – Acceleration (4)
Lesson 3 – Forces (6)
Lesson 4 – Types of Forces (5)
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Assessments
Unit Pre-Post Exam
Unit Project: to be determined
Vocabulary Quiz (1 per Unit)
Outline of Key Topics
Lesson 1 – Motion and Speed
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Motion
Speed
Distance-Time graphs
Velocity
Lesson 2 – Acceleration
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Acceleration
Acceleration as a vector
Lesson 3 – Forces
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Introduction to force
Balance and forces
Laws of motion
Lesson 4 – Types of Forces
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Contact forces
Non-contact forces
Effects of gravity
Law of Universal Gravitation
Key Vocabulary
Position, reference point, motion, speed, vector, velocity, acceleration, centripetal acceleration,
force, net force, inertia, contact force, non-contact force, magnetic force, electrical force,
gravitational force
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Unit 3 – Energy (total days for Unit 3 = 34)
Design Process – As citizens of the constructed world, students will participate in the design
process. Students will learn to use materials and tools safely and employ the basic principles of
the engineering design process in order to find solutions to a problem.
Physical Science – Explain that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from
one form to another or transferred from place to place.
Physical Science – Describe and investigate how forces between objects can act at a distance or
by means of direct contact between objects.
Science, Engineering, and Technology – Design and construct a device that converts energy
from one form of Energy to another to perform work.
Indiana Academic Standards:
Design Process:
7.6 Create the solution through a prototype. (L4)
7.7 Test and evaluate how well the solution meets the goal. (L3)
7.8 Evaluate and test the design using measurement. (L5)
Standard 1 – Physical Science:
7.1.1 Explain that when energy is transferred from one system to another, the total quantity of
energy does not change. (L2)
7.1.2 Describe and give examples of how energy can be transferred from place to place and
transformed from one form to another through radiation, convection, and conduction. (L3,6)
7.1.3 Recognize and explain how different ways of obtaining, transforming, and distributing
energy have different environmental consequences. (L6)
7.1.4 Recognize and provide evidence how light, sound, and other waves have energy and how
they interact with different materials. (L4,5)
Standard 4 – Science, Engineering, and Technology:
7.4.1 Understand that energy is the capacity to do work. (L1)
7.4.2 Explain that energy can be used to do work using many processes, for example generation
of electricity by harnessing wind energy. (L1,2,4)
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
7.4.3 Explain that power is the rate that energy is converted from one form to another. (L1)
7.4.4 Explain that power systems are used to provide propulsion for engineered products and
systems.
Essential Questions
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How is work related to energy?
How is energy conserved?
What is the relationship among heat, temperature, and thermal energy?
What are waves?
How do waves interact with matter?
How do energy transformations affect the environment?
Lessons / Topics (total days)
Lesson 1 – Work, Energy, and Power (5)
Lesson 2 – Conservation of Energy (5)
Lesson 3 – Thermal Energy and Heat (4)
Lesson 4 – Waves and Energy (5)
Lesson 5 – Interactions of Waves and Matter (5)
Lesson 6 – Effects of Energy Transfer (5)
Assessments
Unit Pre-Post Exam
Unit Project: Energizing Indiana Kit
Vocabulary Quiz (1 per Unit)
Outline of Key Topics
Lesson 1 – Work, Energy, and Power
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Work
Energy
Power
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Lesson 2 – Conservation of Energy
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Forms of energy
Energy transformation
Conservation of energy
Energy efficiency
Lesson 3 – Thermal Energy and Heat
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Thermal energy
Heat
Changes of state
Methods of thermal energy transfer
Lesson 4 – Waves and Energy
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What is a wave
Mechanical waves
Electromagnetic (EM) waves
Wave properties
Lesson 5 – Interactions of Waves and Matter
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Sound and matter
Light and matter
Color and illusion
Lesson 6 – Effects of Energy Transfer
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Renewable and non-renewable resources
Fossil fuels
Alternative energy sources
Key Vocabulary
Work, energy, power, energy transformation, law of conservation of energy, efficiency, thermal
energy, heat, calorie, conduction, conductor, insulator, convection, radiation, medium,
longitudinal wave, transverse wave, mechanical wave, electromagnetic wave, amplitude,
wavelength, wave period, frequency, wave speed, reflection, absorption, transmission,
transparent, translucent, opaque, refraction, scattering, renewable resource, nonrenewable
resource, fossil fuel
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Unit 4 – Earth’s Structures (total days for Unit 4 = 43)
Describe how Earth processes have shaped the topography of the Earth, and have made it
possible to measure geological time.
Indiana Academic Standards:
Process Standards:
7.8 Analyze data, using appropriate mathematical manipulation as required, and use it to
identify patterns and make inferences based on these patterns.
Standard 2 – Earth and Space Systems:
7.2.1 Describe how the Earth is a layered structure composed of lithospheric plates, a mantle,
and a dense core. (L5,6)
7.2.2 Recognize that the Earth possesses a magnetic field that is detectable at the surface with
a compass. (L2)
7.2.4 Explain how convection currents in the mantle cause lithospheric plates to move causing
fast changes like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and slow changes like creation of
mountains and formation of new ocean floor. (L6,7,8,9)
7.2.5 Describe the origin and physical properties of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary
rocks and how they are related through the rock cycle. (L2,9)
7.2.6 Describe physical and chemical characteristics of soil layers and how they are influenced
by the process of soil formation, including the action of bacteria, fungi, insects, and other
organisms. (L4)
7.2.7 Use geological features such as karst topography and glaciation to explain how large-scale
physical processes have shaped the land. (L3)
Essential Questions
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What are minerals, how do they form, and how can they be used?
What is the rock cycle?
How do water and ice change the Earth’s surface?
How does soil form?
What are Earth’s layers?
What is plate tectonics?
How do mountains form?
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
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What are earthquakes?
How do volcanoes change Earth’s surface?
Lessons / Topics (total days)
Lesson 1 – Minerals (4)
Lesson 2 – The Rock Cycle (6)
Lesson 3 – Processes that Shape the Land (4)
Lesson 4 – Soil Formation (4)
Lesson 5 – Earth’s Layers (3)
Lesson 6 – Plate Tectonics (6)
Lesson 7 – Mountain Building (3)
Lesson 8 – Earthquakes (3)
Lesson 9 – Volcanoes (5)
Assessments
Unit Pre-Post Exam
Unit Project: Geology of a Changing Planet
Vocabulary Quiz (1 per Unit)
Outline of Key Topics
Lesson 1 – Minerals
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Matter and minerals
Formation of minerals
Types of minerals
Properties of minerals
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Lesson 2 – The Rock Cycle
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Rock and processes that change rock
The classes and properties of rock
Rock cycle
Lesson 3 – Processes that Shape the Land
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Erosion and deposition by surface water
Erosion and deposition by ground water
Erosion and deposition by ice
Lesson 4 – Soil Formation
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Soil formation
Soil horizons
Soil characteristics
Lesson 5 – Earth’s Layers
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Earth’s compositional layers
Earth’s physical layers
Lesson 6 – Plate Tectonics
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Theory of plate tectonics
Tectonic plates
Types of plate boundaries
Causes of tectonic plate motion
Lesson 7 – Mountain Building
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Deformation and folding
Faulting
Mountains
Lesson 8 – Earthquakes
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What earthquakes are and why they happen
Where earthquakes happen
Effects of earthquakes
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Lesson 9 – Volcanoes
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Volcanoes
Volcanic landforms
Where volcanoes form
Key Vocabulary
Mineral, element, atom, compound, matter, crystal, streak, luster, cleavage, weathering,
erosion, deposition, igneous rock, sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock, rock cycle, uplift,
subsidence, rift zone, floodplain, delta, alluvial fan, groundwater, sinkhole, karst topography,
glacier, glacial drift, crust, mantle, convection, core, lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere,
Pangaea, convergent boundaries, divergent boundaries, transform boundaries, tectonic plates,
plate tectonics, deformation, folding, fault, shear stress, tension, compression, earthquake,
focus, epicenter, elastic rebound, volcano, magma, lava, vent, hot spot
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Unit 5 – The Changing Earth (total days for Unit 5 = 17)
Describe how Earth processes have shaped the topography of the earth and have made it
possible to measure geological time.
Indiana Academic Standards:
Process Standards:
7.8 Analyze data, using appropriate mathematical manipulation as required, and use it to
identify patterns and make inferences based on these patterns.
7.9 Evaluate possible causes for differing results (valid data).
Standard 2 – Earth and Space Systems:
7.2.3 Characterize the immensity of geologic time and recognize that it is measured in eras and
epochs. (L3)
7.2.8 Compare and contrast fossils with living organisms in a given location to explain how Earth
processes have changed environments over time. (L1,2,3)
Essential Questions
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What do fossils tell us about Earth’s history?
How do scientists measure the ages of rock?
How do we learn about Earth’s history?
Lessons / Topics (total days)
Lesson 1 – Fossils and Changing Environments (4)
Lesson 2 – Relative Dating and Absolute Dating (4)
Lesson 3 – Geologic Change over Time (4)
Assessments
Unit Pre-Post Exam
Unit Project: to be determined
Vocabulary Quiz (1 per Unit)
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Outline of Key Topics
Lesson 1 – Fossils and Changing Environments
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Fossils
Fossils as evidence of Earth’s changing environments and climates
Lesson 2 – Relative Dating and Absolute Dating
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Rock layers in relative dating
Fossils and geological columns in relative dating
Absolute dating
Index fossils
Lesson 3 – Geologic Change over Time
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Records of Earth’s geological history
Earth’s changing landforms
Evidence for changes in Earth’s climate
The geological time scale
Key Vocabulary
Fossil, trace fossil, relative dating, law of superposition, unconformity, geologic column,
absolute dating, radioactive decay, half-life, radiometric dating, continental drift, climate, ice
core, geologic time scale, eon, era, period, epoch
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Unit 6 – The Cell (total days for Unit 6 = 28)
Understand the cellular structure of living organisms, both single-celled and multicellular.
Indiana Academic Standards:
Process Standards:
7.1 Make predictions and develop testable questions based on research and prior knowledge.
7.10 Compare the results of an experiment with the prediction.
Standard 3 – Life Science:
7.3.1 Explain that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells and that the many
functions needed to sustain life are carried out within such cells. (L1,2)
7.3.2 Understand that water is a major component within cells and is required to carry out
many cellular functions. (L2)
7.3.3 Explain that although the way cells function is similar in all living organisms, multicellular
organisms also have specialized cells, whose specialized functions are directly related to their
structure. (L3)
7.3.4 Compare and contrast similarities and differences between specialized subcellular
components within plant and animal cells, including organelles and cell walls that perform
essential functions and give a cell its shape and structure. (L3)
7.3.5 Explain that cells in multicellular organisms repeatedly divide to make more cells for
growth and repair. (L4)
7.3.6 Explain that after fertilization, a small cluster of cells divides to form the basic tissues of an
embryo which further develops into all the specialized tissues and organs within a multicellular
organism. (L5)
7.3.7 Describe how various organs and tissues serve the needs of cells for nutrient and oxygen
delivery and waste removal. (L4,5)
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Essential Questions
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What are living things made of?
What are the building blocks of organisms?
What are the different parts that make up a cell?
How do organisms maintain homeostasis?
How are living things organized?
Lessons / Topics (total days)
Lesson 1 – The Characteristics of Cells (4)
Lesson 2 – Chemistry of Life (4)
Lesson 3 – Cell Structure and Function (5)
Lesson 4 – Homeostasis and Cell Processes (6)
Lesson 5 – Levels of Cellular Organization (4)
Assessments
Unit Pre-Post Exam
Unit Project(s): Create plant or animal 3D cell model
Vocabulary Quiz (1 per unit)
Outline of Key Topics
Lesson 1 – The Characteristics of Cells
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The cell
The cell theory
Two types of cells
Lesson 2 – Chemistry of Life
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Atoms and molecules
Four main molecules
Cell membranes
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Curriculum – 7th Grade Science
Lesson 3 – Cell Structure and Function
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Eukaryotic cells
Parts of Eukaryotic cells
Plant and animal cells
Lesson 4 – Homeostasis and Cell Processes
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Homeostasis
Cell energy and cell cycle
Material exchange in cells
Lesson 5 – Levels of Cellular Organization
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Cells to organisms
Cellular structure and function
Systems work together
Key Vocabulary
Cell, organism, cell membrane, cytoplasm, organelle, nucleus, prokaryote, eukaryote, atom,
molecule, lipid, protein, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, phospholipid, cytoskeleton, mitochondrion,
ribosome, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, cell wall, vacuole, chloroplast, lysosome,
homeostasis, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, mitosis, passive transport, diffusion, osmosis,
active transport, endocytosis, exocytosis, organism, tissue, organ, organ system, structure,
function
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