Unit Lesson Plan – Growth and Development of Organisms
Teacher:
Grade:
Subject:
Time Frame:
7
20 days
School:
PSI Middle School Science
NGSS DCI:
LS1.B: Growth and Development of
Organisms
Animals engage in characteristic behaviors that increase the odds of
reproduction (MS-LS1-4)
Plants reproduce in a variety of ways, sometimes depending on animal
behavior and specialized features for reproduction (MS-LS1-4)
Genetic factors as well as local conditions affect the growth of the adult
plant (MS-LS1-5)
Organisms reproduce, either sexually or asexually, and transfer their
genetic information to their offspring (secondary to MS-LS3-2)
http://www.nextgenscience.org/msls1-molecules-organisms-structuresprocesses
http://www.nextgenscience.org/msls3-heredity-inheritance-variation-traits
Instructional Objective:
MS-LS1-4.
Instructional Objective:
MS-LS1-5.
Instructional Objective:
MS-LS3-2.
Use an argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning
to support am explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and
specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful
reproduction of animals and plants
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how
environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms
Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results
in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction
results in offspring with genetic variation
Essential Questions
(What questions will the student be able to answer as a result of the instruction?)
1. How do organisms reproduce?
2. What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?
3. How can an organism’s behavior increase its chance of survival and reproduction?
4. What structures or mechanisms aid in plant reproduction?
5. How does the environment contribute to successful reproduction or growth?
6. How do genetic factors influence the growth of organisms?
7. How do natural differences in organisms increase survival and reproduction?
Knowledge & Skills
(What skills are needed to achieve the desired results?)
By the end of this unit, students will know:
 The stages of mitosis
 Simple meiosis
 Land and aquatic fertilization strategies
 Asexual and sexual reproduction
 How behavior effects survival and reproduction
 Animal parenting methods
 Flower structure
 How the environment effects growth and
reproduction
 Reproductive success is measured in the number
of offspring which survive to reproduce
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
 Show the order of mitosis given pictures, name the
function of mitotic structures
 Differentiate between animal types and reproductive
strategies
 Identify extreme structures for attracting mates
 Identify behaviors which enhance reproductive
success
 Differentiate between aquatic and land fertilization and
development of young
 Compare parenting styles of animals
 Compare pollination types
 Dissect and identify flower structures and function
 Distinguish between different types of pollen
 Compare fruits, nuts and seeds
 Identify environmental effects on growth
 Argue the importance of nurture vs. nature
Assessment
(What is acceptable evidence to show desired results (rubrics, exam, etc.)? Attach Copy
During the Smart Notebook lesson designed to introduce concepts, students will be continually questioned on these
concepts using a combination of class work/homework questions and the SMART Response system. Classwork and
Homework questions will be discussed as a class and misconceptions will be addressed by the teacher prior to the
formal evaluations listed below.
Quiz 1: Cell Division
Lab 1: Yeast Budding
Lab 2: Vegetative Propagation
Quiz 2: Reproduction
Activity 1: Animal Behavior Activity
Quiz 3: Animal Behavior & Reproduction
Lab 3: Pollen Observations
Lab 4: Flower Dissection
Quiz 4: Plant Reproduction
Unit Test
www.njctl.org
7th Grade PSI
Growth and Development
(What is the sequence of activities, learning experiences, etc, that will lead to desired results (the plan)?
Topic
Classwork
Homework
1-2
Cells Reproduce
Slides 1-33
Cell Theory Classwork
Cell Theory Homework
3
Organisms Reproduce
Slides 34-52
Study for quiz
4
Cells Reproduce
Quiz 1: Cell Division;
Asexual Reproduction
Classwork
Asexual Reproduction
Homework
5
Organisms Reproduce
Lab 1: Yeast Budding
Complete lab questions
6
Organisms Reproduce
Lab 2: Vegetative
Propagation
Complete lab questions
7
Organisms Reproduce
Slides 53- 64;
Sexual Reproduction
Classwork
Sexual Reproduction
Homework
8
Animal Behaviors and
Reproduction
Slides 65 – 80;
Activity: Animal Behavior
Study for quiz
9
Organisms Reproduce
10
Animal Behaviors and
Reproduction
11
Plant Structures and
Reproduction
Slides 98–119
Study for quiz
12
Animal Behaviors and
Reproduction
Quiz 3: Animal Behaviors
and Reproduction;
Plant Structure Classwork
Plant Structure Homework
13
Plant Structures and
Reproduction
Slides 120-139;
Seed Formation Classwork
Seed Formation Homework
14
Plant Structures and
Reproduction
Lab 3: Pollen Observations
Complete lab questions
15
Plant Structures and
Reproduction
Lab 4: Flower Dissection
Complete lab questions
Study for quiz
Day
www.njctl.org
Quiz 2: Reproduction;
Reproductive Strategies
Classwork
Slides 80-97;
Fertilization & Offspring
Classwork
7th Grade PSI
Reproductive Strategies
Homework
Fertilization & Offspring
Homework
Growth and Development
16
Plant Structures and
Reproduction
Quiz 4: Plant Reproduction
17-18
Environmental and Genetic
Factors
Slides 140-172;
Environmental & Genetic
Factors Classwork
Environmental & Genetic
Factors Homework
19
Unit Test Review
Study Guide
Study for Test
20
Unit Test
Unit Test
N/A
**HW Problems are currently not scaffolded from least to most difficult, but are instead listed in order of
topic. Teacher should pay special attention at the end of each class period when assigning HW so that
only problems related to the topic that was taught are being assigned.
***Pacing guides are based on 40minute periods, you may need to adapt based on your school’s
schedule.
www.njctl.org
7th Grade PSI
Growth and Development