7th Grade Science Unit 4: Environmental Science 2015-2016
Reporting Cluster: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Topic
Interdependent
Relationships
in Ecosystems
4
3
Proficient
Knowledge:
In addition to score 3.0 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications
that go beyond the target.
Students demonstrate they have developed an understanding of:




2
given adequate biotic and abiotic resources and no disease or predators, populations
(including humans) increase at rapid rates
The number of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and
abiotic factors
symbiotic relationships among organisms
the energy flow through an ecosystem from sunlight through organisms
Students will recognize or recall:
Specific vocabulary such as:
organism, population, community, ecosystem, biotic, abiotic, predator, prey, symbiosis, producer,
consumer, decomposer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, parasite, host, limiting factors, carrying
capacity, overpopulation, niche, food chain, food web
Basic knowledge such as:
 living things are interdependent in an ecosystem
 the difference between biotic and abiotic factors
 the number of living things in an ecosystem is dependent on resources available within the
ecosystem
 the characteristics of producers, consumers and decomposers
 general ecosystem organization
 how to interpret a food chain and food web
1
Student’s performance reflects insufficient progress towards foundational skills and knowledge.
Assessments:
7th Grade Science Unit 4: Environmental Science 2015-2016
Topic
Natural
Selection and
Adaptations
4
3
Proficient
2
Reporting Cluster: Independent Relationships in Ecosystems
Knowledge:
In addition to score 3.0 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications
that go beyond the target.
Students demonstrate they have developed an understanding of:

species acquire many of their unique characteristics through biological adaptation which
involves the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations

Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology that enhance
survival and reproductive success in a particular environment
Students will recognize or recall:
Specific vocabulary such as:
natural selection, adaptation, evolution, traits, mutation, genes, DNA
Basic knowledge such as:
 some changes in traits are beneficial, while others cause a species to decline
 evolution is small genetic changes over long periods of time
 adaptation helps organisms to survive and reproduce in their environment
 the differences between types of adaptations
1
Student’s performance reflects insufficient progress towards foundational skills and knowledge.
Assessments:
7th Grade Science Unit 4: Environmental Science 2015-2016
Reporting Cluster: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Topic
Environmental
Issues and
Human Impacts
4
3
Proficient
Knowledge:
In addition to score 3.0 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications
that go beyond the target.
Students demonstrate they have developed an understanding of:



2
the impact of industrialization and human population growth
steps individuals can take to lessen their negative impact on the environment
scientific evidence surrounding global climate change
Students will recognize or recall:
Specific vocabulary such as:
pollution, conservation, extinction, endangered, deforestation, invasive species, habitat destruction,
biodiversity, reduce, reuse, recycle, renewable, non-renewable, biodegradable, conservation, global
climate change
Basic knowledge such as:
 human behaviors impact the environment in both negative and positive ways (3 R’s)
 resources are finite
1
Student’s performance reflects insufficient progress towards foundational skills and knowledge.
Assessments:
7th Grade Science Unit 4: Environmental Science 2015-2016
Suggested Instructional Resources
Sample Learner Objectives
Topic
Textbook Resources
Labs
PBL Ideas
(projects)
Web Resources – websites or
resources on
http://science.dmschools.org

I can use a food web or food chain
to determine relationships among
organisms.

I can construct explanations for
common patterns of interactions
within ecosystems.

I can use known environmental
factors to hypothesize future
success of a given population within
an ecosystem.

Interdependent
Relationships in
Ecosystems
Natural Selection and
Adaptations
I can construct explanations for how
genetic variations of traits in a
population increase some
individual’s probability of surviving
and reproducing.

I can explain how human actions
affect the environment in both
positive and negative ways.

I can discuss the impact of
industrialization and human impact
growth on the environment.
Environmental Issues and
Human Impacts