West Essex Regional School District
Science Department
7th Grade Science
Instructors:
P. Arbadji - parbadji@westex.org, 973-228-1200 x 729
M. Becker - mbecker@westex.org, 973-228-1200 x 822
J. Zuhl - jzuhl@westex.org, 973-228-1200 x 832
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Science 7 is an integrated science course requiring students to apply scientific process
skills as they investigate the cell as the basic unit of life, the formation of our Earth and
the importance of understanding our environment. Students will explore the delicate
balance between living things and nonliving parts of our ecosystem.
GRADING POLICY:
Course work will be grades as follows:
a. Assessments (lab reports, tests, quizzes, projects) - 90% of total grade
b. Homework and Classwork - 10% of total grade
All grades should be verified on Genesis on a regular basis.
CLASSROOM POLICIES:
Rules of conduct:
a. Follow all rules as stated in Student Handbook.
b. Come prepared to class with all required materials: Textbook, pencils, pens, dividers,
tape, 3 hole punch, three ring binder, charged Chromebook.
c. No food or drink in classrooms.
d. No cell phone use.
e. Homework - All homework will be posted on the teacher’s school website at
www.westex.org. Missed homework should be made up for understanding but will only
receive 50% credit for 1 days late until December 1, 2015. After that, no credit will be
given for late work.
f. Attendance: Follow all rules as stated in student handbook. One day to make up work for
every day absent. Work assigned prior to absence(s) will be due on the first day back.
g. Academic Integrity Students are to hand in their own work. Receiving assistance is
different from copying. Cheating will result in a zero on the assignment, referral to the
Assistant Principal, and a call home to the parent.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
In Science 7, performance expectations focus on students developing an
understanding of several scientific practices. These include the following and using
these practices to demonstrate understanding of the core ideas. Students are also
expected to demonstrate understanding of several of engineering practices, including
design and evaluation.
● Natural Selection and Adaptations
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Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document
the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout
the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate
today as in the past. (NGSS MS-LS4-1)
Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical
similarities and differences among modern organisms and between
modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. (NGSS
MS-LS4-2)
Analyze displays of pictorial data to compare patterns of similarities in the
embryological development across multiple species to identify
relationships not evident in the fully formed anatomy. (MS-LS4-3)
Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic
variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of
surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. (NGSS MS-LS4-4)
Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural
selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in
populations over time. (NGSS MS-LS4-6)
●
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
○ Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among
organisms across multiple ecosystems. (NGSS MS-LS2-2)
○ Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and
ecosystem services. (NGSS MS-LS2-5)
●
Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
○ Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of
photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of
organisms. (NGSS MS-LS1-6)
○ Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical
reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release
energy as this matter moves through an organism. (NGSS MS-LS1-7)
○ Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource
availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
(NGSS MS-LS2-1)
○ Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy
among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. (NGSS MS-LS2-3)
○ Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to
physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
(NGSS MS-LS2-4)
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History of Earth
○ Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for
how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6 billion year old history (NGSS MS-ESS1-4)
○ Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience
processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial
scales. (NGSS MS-ESS2-2)
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Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks,
continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the
past plate motions. (NGSS MS-ESS2-3)
Earths Systems
○ Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the flow
of energy that drives this process. (NGSS MS-ESS2-1)
○ Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems
driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity. (NGSS MS-ESS24)
○ Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven
distribution of Earth’s mineral, energy and groundwater resources are the
result of past and current geoscience processes. (NGSS MS-ESS3-1)
TEXTS/RESOURCES
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Textbooks
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○ Holt Science and Technology Cells, Heredity and Classification,
○ Holt Science and Technology Inside the Restless Earth
www.NSTA.org
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www.nextgenscience.org
EVALUATIONS/ASSESSMENTS
Students can demonstrate competency with tasks such as developing and refining
models; generating, discussing and analyzing data; constructing spoken and written
scientific explanations; engaging in evidence-based argumentation; and reflecting on
their own understanding. A combination of formative and summative assessments
will be utilized in this course including, but not limited to tests, quizzes, lab reports,
projects, presentations, homework, and other activities.