7th Grade Science Syllabus
7.E.1 Understand how the cycling of matter (water and gases) in and out of the atmosphere relates to Earth’s atmosphere,
weather and climate and the effects of the atmosphere on humans.
Week
Essential Standards
7.E.1.1 Compare the composition, properties and structure of Earth’s atmosphere to include: mixtures of gases and
1
differences in temperature and pressure within layers.
2
3/4
5/6/7
8
7.E.1.2 Explain how the cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere and atmospheric conditions relate to the
weather patterns on Earth.
7.E.1.3 Explain the relationship between the movements of air masses; high and low pressure systems, and frontal
boundaries to storms (including thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes) and other weather conditions that may
result.
7.E.1.4 Predict weather conditions and patterns based on information obtained from:
• Weather data collected from direct observations and measurement (wind speed and direction, air temperature,
humidity and air pressure)
• Weather maps, satellites and radar
• Cloud shapes and types and associated elevation
7.E.1.5 Explain the influence of convection, global winds and the jet stream on weather and climatic conditions.
7.E.1.6 Conclude that the good health of humans requires: monitoring the atmosphere, maintaining air quality and
stewardship.
Essential Skills
Assessment Tasks
Essential Questions:
- Humidity
-What are the layers of the atmosphere
-Notebook
-Temperature
starting close to the Earth?
-Vocabulary Quizzes
-Global Winds and Jet Stream
-What are the properties of each of the
-Section Quizzes
-Precipitation
atmospheric layers?
--Current Events
-Storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods
-What is the process that creates
-Chapter Test
-Atmospheric layers
convection currents?
-Mini Labs
-Air pollution and air quality
-Why is the air at the equator warmer
-Benchmark Assessments
(Financial and economic trade-offs)
than the air at the poles?
-Projects
- Weather maps
-What are the trends in global winds?
-Quickwrites and foldables
-Predicting, recording, and communicating
-What are some of the effects of natural
information about conditions
disasters?
-Mixture of gases
-How is the Earth constantly trying to
-Air pressure and fronts
maintain equilibrium?
-Altitude
-Clouds and Cloud formation
Essential Terminology
Learning Targets: (The Learner Will)
Temperature, precipitation, humidity, air pressure,
-Identify the stratified layers of the atmosphere using key
atmosphere, evaporation, condensation, weathering,
vocabulary.
atmospheric pressure, low pressure, high pressure,
-Describe the distinct properties of each layer of the atmosphere.
tornadoes, hurricanes, Equator, poles, troposphere,
-Describe the process that creates convection currents.
stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere,
-Explain why the air at the equator is warmer than the air at the
fronts, global winds, natural disasters, barometer,
poles.
equilibrium
-Describe trends in global winds.
-Explain the effects of natural disasters.
-Describe how the Earth is constantly trying to maintain
equilibrium.
Online Resources
First Nine Weeks
9
Earth The Biography Atmosphere National Geographic
Channel#tab-Videos-05400_00
Earth's Atmosphere Layers NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center
Conceptual
HowStuffWorks Videos 100 Greatest Discoveries Earth's
Atmospheric Layers
SchoolTube - Bill Nye the Science Guy - Water Cycle Jump
StudyJams! - Water Cycle | Scholastic
HowStuffWorks Videos Spin Around the Solar System Earth's
Atmosphere
Layers of atmosphere
Layers of the Atmosphere.mov - YouTube
NASA Science
TeacherTube Videos - Bill Nye heat 1
TeacherTube Videos - Bill Nye heat 2
TeacherTube Videos - Radiation, Conduction and Convection
TeacherTube Videos - Water Cycle Song
What's In Our Air -- Atmospheric Scientists Map Pollution Decrease
http--science.nasa.gov-media-medialibrary-2004-07-2123jul_spin_resources-coriolis.mov
Earth's Atmosphere, Atmosphere Information, Facts, News, Photos -National Geographic
NOVA Online | Everest | Atmospheric Pressure
Layers of the Atmosphere
How to Read a Weather Map, with Examples - wikiHow
WeatherTAP.com - Wind Barb and Sky Coverage Notation
How could warmer temperatures affect the weather? - Curiosity
Basic Ingredients for Weather
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/seeds/wssym.htm
www.watchKnowLearn.Org/Video.aspx?VideoID=26842 (Atmosphere
7th Grade Science Syllabus
TeacherTube Videos - Bill Nye heat 3
TeacherTube Videos - Cool Water Cycle Song
Rap)
7.L.1 Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry
out the basic functions of life.
7. L.2: Understand the relationship of the mechanisms of cellular reproduction, patterns of inheritance and external factors to
potential variation and survival among offspring.
Week Essential Standards
7.L.1.1 Compare the structures and life functions of single-celled organisms that carry out all of the basic functions of
1/2
life including: • Euglena • Amoeba • Paramecium • Volvox
3/4
5/6
7
7.L.2.3 Explain the impact of the environment and lifestyle choices on the biological inheritance (to include common
genetic diseases) and survival
Essential Skills
Assessment Tasks
Essential Questions:
-Single-celled organisms (Euglena,

How are the structure/function of
-Notebook
Amoeba, Paramecium, Volvox)
single celled organisms similar and
-Vocabulary Quizzes
-Organelles (cell membrane, cell wall,
how do they differ?
-Section Quizzes
nucleus, chloroplast, mitochondria,

What are two types of cells? Describe
--Current Events
vacuoles)
each.
-Chapter Test
-Cell

What are the functions of organelles?
-Mini Labs
-Inherited and acquired traits

What is a gene and why are they
-Benchmark Assessments
-Dominant and recessive traits
important?
-Projects
-Genetic Disorders

What is a chromosome and what do
-Quickwrites and foldables
-Chromosome
they contain?
-Genotype and phenotype

What factors affect human
-Pedigree
inheritance?
-Punnett Square

Who was Gregor Mendel and what
-Heterozygous and Homozygous
did he discover?
-Sexual reproduction (fertilization and

How do dominant and recessive
meiosis)
genes influence which traits are
-Asexual reproduction (Mitosis and
inherited?
budding)

How do Punnett squares help you
-Gregor Mendell and Reginald Punnett
predict patterns of inheritance?

How are pedigrees used to study
genetic transmission in families?
Essential Terminology
Learning Targets: (The Learner Will)
-Euglena
-Chromosome

Relate how the structure of a single-celled organism is
-Amoeba
-DNA
relevant to its function.
-Paramecium
-Gene

Describe plant and animal cells and discuss how they are
-Volvox
-Dominant
similar and different.
-Flagella
-Recessive

Differentiate between organelles in each type of cell
-Pseudopod
-Genetic Disorder
(animal/plant) and describe their function.
-Cilia
-Geneticist

Describe the differences between sexual and asexual
-Eyespot
-Geonotype
reproduction.
-Cell
-Phenotype

Describe the differences between meiosis and mitosis.
-Multicellular organism
-Punnett Square

Describe how to use a Punnett square to show possible gene
-Pedigree
combinations, and identify genotypes and phenotypes.

Describe how to use a pedigree to trace genetic disorders.

Relate how life style choices and environmental conditions
affect inherited traits.
Online Resources
Mitosis/Meiosis Video - Classroom 2.0
Science Online Cells
Cells: Levels of Organization - Activities
Amazing Cells: Supplemental Materials
HowStuffWorks "Cell"
Cells - Free Science Games & Activities for Kids
Centre of the Cell
Cells
8/9
Second Nine Weeks
7.L.1.2 Compare the structures and functions of plant and animal cells, including major organelles (cell membrane,
cell wall, nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and vacuoles).
7.L.2.1 Explain why offspring that result from sexual reproduction (fertilization and meiosis) have greater variation
than offspring that result from asexual reproduction (budding and mitosis).
7.L.2.2 Infer patterns of heredity using information from Punnett squares and pedigree analysis.
7th Grade Science Syllabus
Third Nine Weeks
Introduction To Heredity
BrainPOP | DNA
www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?Video=31172
sciencespot.net/pages/classbio.htm#Anchor-mitosis
Home of CELLS alive!
http://www.einsteinproject.org/for-students/kidzone/forensic-science
health.utah.gov/genomics/familyhistory/toolkit.htm
Video.pbs.org/video/184308959 (Cracking The Code of Life)
Genes,Genetics,and DNA –Punnett square review- Discovery ED
7.L.1 Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry
out the basic functions of life.
We Essential Standards
ek
7.L.1.3 Summarize the hierarchical organization of multi-cellular organisms from cells to tissues to organs to systems to
1
organisms.
7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction,
2
circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Muscular/Skeletal system
7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction,
3
circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Digestive system
7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction,
4
circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Excretion: Respiratory system, Urinary system, Skin, Digestive system
7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction,
5
circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Circulatory system
7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction,
6
circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Immune system
7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction,
7
circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Nervous system
7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction,
8
circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Endocrine system and Reproductive system
7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction,
9
circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Regulation/Homeostasis: nervous system, endocrine system
Essential Skills
Assessment Tasks
Essential Questions:
Multicellular organism
-Notebook

How are multicellular organisms
-Tissue
-Vocabulary Quizzes
organized?
-Organ
-Section Quizzes

What are the functions of the major
-Systems
--Current Events
body systems?
-respiration
-Chapter Test

How do body systems work together
-reproduction
-Mini Labs
to help sustain life?
-circulation
-Benchmark Assessments
Digestion
-Projects
-excretion
-Quickwrites and foldables
-Tissue
-Organ
-Systems
-respiration
-reproduction
Essential Terminology
-circulation
-Digestion
-excretion
-organ system
-homeostasis
Learning Targets: (The Learner Will)

Organize multicellular organisms into different levels.
Online Resources
https://www.biodigitalhuman.com/
http://www.innerbody.com/
http://www.kscience.co.uk/animations/lungs.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/
Fourth Nine Weeks
7th Grade Science Syllabus
7.P.1 Understand motion, the effects of forces on motion and the graphical representations of motion.
7.P.2 Understand forms of energy, energy transfer and transformation and conservation in mechanical systems.
Week Essential Standards
7.P.1.1 Explain how the motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed with respect to
1
some other object.
7.P.1.2 Explain the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces acting on an object (including friction, gravity and magnets).
7.P.1.3 Illustrate the motion of an object using a graph to show a change in position over a period of time.
2
7.P.1.4 Interpret distance versus time graphs for constant speed and variable motion.
7.P.2.3 Recognize that energy can be transferred from one system to another when two objects push or pull on each other
3
over a distance (work) and electrical circuits require a complete loop through which an electrical current can pass.
7.P.2.4 Explain how simple machines such as inclined planes, pulleys, levers and wheel and axles are used to create
4
mechanical advantage and increase efficiency.
7.P.2.1 Explain how kinetic and potential energy contribute to the mechanical energy of an object.
5
7.P.2.2 Explain how energy can be transformed from one form to another (specifically potential energy and kinetic energy)
using a model or diagram of a moving object (roller coaster, pendulum, or cars on ramps as examples).
6-9
Review ALL Standards for Exams
Essential Skills
Assessment Tasks
Essential Questions:
Newton’s Laws

How
can
I describe an object’s
-Notebook
-center of mass
motion with respect to its position?
-Vocabulary Quizzes
-Sir Isaac Newton
Its direction of motion? Its speed with
-Section Quizzes
-Inertia
respect to another object?
--Current Events
-Balanced and unbalanced forces (gravity,

How does friction affect an object’s
-Chapter Test
friction, and magnets)
motion?
-Mini Labs
-Motion

How does gravity affect an object’s
-Benchmark Assessments
motion?
-Relative Motion Position
-Projects

How do magnets affect an object’s
-Reference Point
-Quickwrites and foldables
motion?
-Time

How do I graph an object’s motion by
-Distance
-Mass
showing its change in position over
time?
-Force (centripetal force and net force)
-Speed

How can I determine an object’s
-Velocity
speed on a distance versus time
-Vector
graph?
-Acceleration

How can I determine an object’s
-Velocity-time graphs and distance-time
variable motion on a distance versus
graphs
time graph?
-Machine
-Mechanical Advantage

What is mechanical energy and how
-Work
does kinetic and potential energy
-Efficiency
contribute to it?
-Simple machines (lever, pulley, wheel and

How can I use a model or diagram to
axle, incline plane, wedge, screw)
show that energy can be transformed
-Kinetic energy, potential energy, and
from one form to the other?
mechanical energy

How does energy transfer from one
- Energy transformation
system to another when two objects
-Energy transfer
push or pull on each other?
-Electrical circuits

What happens when an electrical
current passes through a complete
loop?

What are the 5 simple machines and
how do they create mechanical
advantage and increase efficiency?
-motion
-speed
-balanced force
Essential Terminology
-kinetic energy
-potential energy
-mechanical energy

Learning Targets: (The Learner Will)
Conclude the motion of an object with respect to its
position, the direction of motion, and/or speed with respect
to another object.
7th Grade Science Syllabus
-unbalanced force
-friction
-gravity
-magnets
-distance
-time
-speed
-constant speed
-variable motion
-Work
-push
-pull
-electrical circuits
-electrical currents
-simple machines
-effiency
-mechanical advantage
-lever
-fulcrum
-pully
-wheel and axle
-inclined plane
-wedge
-screw
-compound machine
5th Grade Science Forces & Motion - LiveBinder
Teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/Newton
Sciencespot.net/Pages/classphys.html



Explain how friction, gravity, and/or magnets are forces that
act on an object and can affect its motion.
Draw a graph to illustrate the motion of an object by
showing the object’s change in position over time.
Draw a graph to determine determine an object’s speed and
variable motion on a distance versus time graph.

Explain how kinetic and potential energy contribute to the
mechanical energy of an object.

Demonstrate how energy can be transformed from one form
to another (specifically potential energy and kinetic energy)
using a model or diagram of a moving object.

Explain how energy can be transferred from one system to
another when two objects push or pull on each other over a
distance (work).

Prove that electrical circuits require a complete loop so an
electrical current can pass.

Classify objects into as being composed of one or more of
the 5 simple machines and explain how they are used to
create mechanical advantage and increase efficiency.
Online Resources
www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=30812 ( Forceman)
www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=869 (Legos demonstrate
Motion)