7th GRADE LIFE SCIENCE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A variety of instructional strategies and techniques is essential for guiding students in Grade 7. Teachers must
capitalize on the need for students to communicate and interact with classmates while harnessing their energy and enthusiasm
for constructive learning activities. “Hands-on,” “minds-on” learning by doing provides an excellent method of instruction
for students at this stage as learning progresses from concrete to the abstract and from knowledge to application in science.
The focus of the Life Science course allows seventh-grade students to connect the dynamics of the sixth-grade Earth
and Space Science course with the rules that govern the known universe in the eighth-grade Physical Science course. As
students’ lives are affected daily by growth and experience, the curriculum for this age group provides the means for
understanding the mechanisms behind maturity and development. Seventh-grade learners are ready to explore and question
new ideas and theories. To preserve their natural curiosity and channel their focus on content, students in Grade 7 are
encouraged to develop an appreciation for the importance of diversity of life while simultaneously understanding the impact
their roles as individuals play in the community of life.
RESOURCES EXPLANATION:
These are the resources you will need for developing lessons to meet the needs of all the learning styles in your classroom, and to stay in line with
the State and County Course of Study. Learn and use them and your job will be a lot easier.
EXAMVIEW TEST BANK CD-ROM: Very useful tool for developing tests that target course of study objectives. These tests can be graded
and analyzed by the EZ Scan machine and tracked by student, item, and/or objective. Excellent tool for deciding what and how to revisit difficult
concepts.
LAB ZONE EASY PLANNER CD: Take time to explore this! It is a searchable resource for labs on all standards. The search can be modified
by skills, concepts, and even lab time.
LAB ZONE LAB ACTIVITY VIDEOTAPE: Resource to help plan and demonstrate labs. This is for use when you don’t have the materials,
or perhaps the space or time for a lab. However, it should NOT be used in place of real hands-on learning labs.
TEACHER EXPRESS CD: Explore and use this. It is the lesson planner complete with a Teacher’s Edition (including the interactive links),
ExamView test bank (linked to the EZ Scanner), all the correlations to the standards, and web resources. This invaluable tool is a one-stop tool
for planning and presenting lessons that meet all the needs of your students. In addition to this there is a hard-copy version called All-In-One
Teaching Resources book that has this information in a non-digital format.
1
PRESENTATION EXPRESS: Make extensive use of this! It is a compilation of resources for your classroom. It includes activities that are
online and text based for use in reaching all learners. By generating a basic lesson plan (a couple of quick clicks) from this program, the instructor
has a list of valuable resources (active art, sci-links, video presentations, and virtual field trips) as well as differentiated strategies for the
classroom.
GUIDED READING AND STUDY WORKBOOK: A workbook resource that offers differentiated instruction, as well as a parental resources
to help students study and learn.
ADAPTIVE READING AND STUDY WORKBOOK: A workbook and reading resource for level one students. This resource WILL help you
reach struggling students.
ADAPTED TESTS: Tests adapted for struggling level one students with fewer answer choices. It uses question strategies that assess key
concepts for all learners, and reinforces content to help students be successful on tests.
COLOR TRANSPARENCIES: Various overhead transparencies. Many are concept maps and explorations that are perfect for use as Bell
Ringers.
STUDENT EXPRESS CD: A CD that contains an interactive textbook, all student worksheets, active art, and web resources.
SCIENCE EXPLORER STUDENT EDITION ON AUDIO CD: The complete student edition is read to the student section by section. It has
audio that supports ESL students and students who are struggling readers. It also has an easy to use feature allowing students to find and repeat
sections they may have missed or had trouble understanding.
Make yourself several extra copies of this document, or download it from the county website. You will need to submit a dated and signed copy
to your principal each semester.
All days on pacing guide are approximate and you will need to set your own, but be sure you have time to cover all required materials.
2
COURSE CONTENT
Subject 7th Grade Life Science
Prentice Hall Science Explorer
SE - Student Edition
TE - Teacher Edition
PNG - Passing the New Alabama Graduation Exam in Science 2 nd Ed. 2000
CS
AHS
GE
WR
SAT
10
CS - Course of Study
WR - Writing Assessment Practice
CONTENT STANDARDS
AHSGE - Graduation Exam
PL - Pathways for Learning
RESOURCES
Pacing
Guide
FIRST NINE WEEKS
I-1
I-2
Expositoryp. 22, 26
X
Scientific Process and Application Skills and Lab
Safety (include SI Measurement)
Describe characteristics common to living things,
including growth and development, reproduction,
cellular organization, use of energy, exchange of
gases, and response to the environment
 Identifying homeostasis as the process by which an
organism responds to its internal or external
environment
 Predicting how an organism’s behavior impacts the
environment
 Identifying unicellular organisms, including bacteria
and protests, by their methods of locomotion,
reproduction, ingestion, excretion, and effects on
other organisms
Describe biotic and abiotic factors in the
environment Examples: biotic--plants, animals;
abiotic -- climate, water, soil
 Classifying organisms as autographs or heterotrophs
 Arranging the sequence of energy flow in an
ecosystem through food webs, food chains, and
energy pyramids
Descriptive - p. 3
Narrative - p. 18
1a
1b
1c
I-1
VI-1
VI-2
VI-3
Descriptive pp. 708, 735
X
7
VI-1
VI-2
VI-3
Expository pp. 708, 735
X
Chapter 1: Introduction to Life Science
Skills Inquiry: p. 808
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone easy planner
www.PHSchool.com
PL (exams) E7-E11, C45-C50, C57-C65,
C73-C81, C85-C88
PNG pp. 11-38
Chapter 21: Populations and Communities
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-28, 129-151
PL (labs) C45-C50, C57-C65, C73-C81,
C85-C88
PL (exams) E7-E11, E41-E45
7 days
Chapter 22: Ecosystems and Biomes
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38, 139-151
PL (labs) C45-C50, C57-C65, C73-C81,
C85-C88
PL (exams) E7-E11, E41-E45
6 days
MONTHLY REMEDIATION AND TEST
3
7 days
5 days
Date Taught
CS
6
AHS
GE
VI-1
VI-2
VI-3
6
III-3
Expository pp. 751, 773
Expositoryp. 187
Narrative p. 179
Narrative - p. 57
2a
2b
4b
1b
1c
1d
WR
SAT
10
X
X
X
Persuasive p. 53
I-1
II-1
II-3
III-1
V-1
VI-1
Narrative p. 223
X
CONTENT STANDARDS
Describe evidence of species variation due to
climate, changing landforms, interspecies
interaction, and genetic mutation
Examples: fossil records over geologic time, rapid
bacterial mutations due to environmental pressures
Describe evidence of species variation due to
climate, changing landforms, interspecies
interaction, and genetic mutation
Examples: fossil records over geologic time, rapid
bacterial mutations due to environmental pressures
Identify functions of organelles found in eukaryotic
cells, including the nucleus, cell membrane, cell
wall, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and vacuoles
Example: mitochondria releasing energy for use in
cellular respiration
 Identifying components of the cell theory
 Identifying cells as prokaryotic or eukaryotic
Describe organisms in the six-kingdom
classification system by their characteristics
 Identifying contributions of Aristotle and Linnaeus
to the early history of taxonomy
Describe characteristics common to living things,
including growth and development, reproduction,
cellular organization, use of energy, exchange of
gases, and response to the environment
 Predicting how an organism’s behavior impacts the
environment
 Identifying unicellular organisms, including
bacteria and protests, by their methods of
locomotion, reproduction, ingestion, excretion, and
effects on other organisms
 Identifying the structure of a virus
RESOURCES
Chapter 23: Living Resources
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
Chapter 6: Changes over Time
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
5 days
Chapter 2: Sections 1 & 2 - Living Things
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38, 97-102, 117-129
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C81,
C82-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11, E25-E27, E36-40
5 days
Chapter 7: Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and
Fungi
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38
PL (labs) C45-C50, C57-C65, C73-C81,
C85-C88
PL (exams) E7-E11
6 days
MONTHLY REMEDIATION AND TEST
4
Pacing
Guide
5 days
3 days
Date Taught
CS
AHS
GE
1a
1b
4a
5
7a
I-1
II-2
III-2
III-3
V-1
1b
4a
5
I-1
II-3
V-1
V-2
WR
SAT
10
CONTENT STANDARDS
Expository pp. 299, 323
X
Expository pp. 299, 323
X
Describe characteristics common to living thins,
including growth and development, reproduction,
cellular organization, use of energy, exchange of
gases, and response to the environment
 Identifying homeostasis as the process by which an
organism responds to its internal or external
environment
 Predicting how an organism’s behavior impacts the
environment
Describe organisms in the six-kingdom
classification system by their characteristics
Recognizing genus and species as components of a
scientific name
Identify major differences between plants and
animals, including internal structures, external
structures, methods of locomotion, methods of
reproduction, and stages of development
 Describing the processes of photosynthesis and
cellular respiration
Describe biotic and abiotic factors in the
environment
 Classifying organisms as autotrophs and
heterotrophs
Describe characteristics common to living things,
including growth and development, reproduction,
cellular organization, use of energy, exchange of
gases, and response to the environment
 Predicting how an organism’s behavior impacts the
environment
Describe organisms in the six-kingdom
classification system by their characteristics
 Recognizing genus and species as components of a
scientific name
Identify major differences between plants and
animals, including internal structures, external
structures, methods of locomotion, methods of
reproduction, and stages of development
RESOURCES
Pacing
Guide
SECOND NINE WEEKS
5
Chapter 8: Plants
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
http://ology.amnh.org
PNG - pp. 11-38
PL (labs) C45-C50, C57-C65, C73-C81,
C85-C88
PL (exams) E7-E11
7 days
Chapter 9: Sponges, Cnidarians and Worms
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
http://ology.amnh.org
6 days
Date Taught
CS
1b
4a
5
AHS
GE
I-1
II-1
V-2
WR
Expository p. 361
SAT
10
X
Persuasive pp. 342, 353
4a
5
I-1
III-3
V-2
Narrative p. 386
X
Descriptive pp. 380, 401
4a
5
I-1
III-3
Expository p. 431
X
Persuasive p. 419
1a
1b
5
I-1
III-3
X
CONTENT STANDARDS
Describe characteristics common to living things,
including growth and development, reproduction,
cellular organization, use of energy, exchange of
gases, and response to the environment
 Predicting how an organism’s behavior impacts the
environment
Describe organisms in the six-kingdom
classification system by their characteristics
 Recognizing genus and species as components of a
scientific name
Identify major differences between plants and
animals, including internal structures, external
structures, methods of locomotion, methods of
reproduction, and stages of development
Describe organisms in the six-kingdom
classification system by their characteristics
 Recognizing genus and species as components of a
scientific name
Identify major differences between plants and
animals, including internal structures, external
structures, methods of locomotion, methods of
reproduction, and stages of development
Describe organisms in the six-kingdom
classification system by their characteristics
 Recognizing genus and species as components of a
scientific name
Identify major differences between plants and
animals, including internal structures, external
structures, methods of locomotion, methods of
reproduction, and stages of development
Describe characteristics common to living things,
including growth and development, reproduction,
cellular organization, use of energy, exchange of
gases, and response to the environment
 Identifying homeostasis as the process by which an
organism responds to its internal or external
environment
 Predicting how an organism’s behavior impacts the
environment
Identify major differences between plants and
animals, including internal structures, external
structures, methods of locomotion, methods of
reproduction, and stages of development
6
RESOURCES
Chapter 1: Mollusks, Arthropods, and
Echinoderms
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
http://ology.amnh.org
Pacing
Guide
6 days
Chapter 11: Fishes, Amphibians, and
Reptiles
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
http://ology.amnh.org
7 days
Chapter 12: Birds and Mammals
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
http://ology.amnh.org
5 days
Chapter 13: Animal Behavior
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
5 days
Date Taught
CS
AHS
GE
WR
SAT
10
CONTENT STANDARDS
RESOURCES
MONTHLY REMEDIATION AND TEST
THIRD NINE WEEKS
2a
2b
2c
I-1
II-1
II-2
II-3
II-4
V-1
V-2
Narrative pp. 57, 69
3a
9
I-1
Narrative p. 289
X
6
8a
IV-1
IV-2
Expository pp. 137, 139
X
10a
11a
11b
8
X
Persuasive p. 53
Descriptive p. 67
Narrative P. 130
I-1
IV-1
IV-2
Expository p. 167
X
Identify functions of organelles found in eukaryotic
cells, including the nucleus, cell membrane, cell
wall, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and vacuoles
 Identifying components of the cell theory
 Identifying cells as prokaryotic or eukaryotic
 Listing the sequence of the mitotic cell cycle
Identify differences between deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Examples: DNA -- double helix, contains thymine
RNA -- single stranded, contains uracil
 Identifying Watson and Crick as scientists who
discovered the shape of the DNA molecule
Relate major tissues and organs of the skeletal,
circulatory, reproductive, muscular, respiratory,
nervous, and digestive systems to their functions
 Arranging in order the organizational levels of the
human body from the cell through organ systems
Identify the process of chromosome reduction in the
production of sperm and egg cells during meiosis
Describe evidence of species variation due to
climate, changing landforms, interspecies
interaction, and genetic mutation
Examples: fossil records over geologic time, rapid
bacterial mutations due to environmental pressures
Describe the function of chromosomes
 Identifying genes as parts of chromosomes that
carry genetic traits
Identify Mendel’s laws of genetics
 Recognizing Down’s syndrome and sickle cell
anemia as inherited genetic disorders
 Using a monohybrid Punnett square to predict the
probability of traits passed from parents to offspring
Describe the function of chromosomes
 Identifying genes as parts of chromosomes that carry
genetic traits
7
Pacing
Guide
3 days
Chapter 2 Sections 3 & 4: Living Things
and Chapter 3: Cell Processes and Energy
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
www.wisc-online.com/objects/index _to.
asp?objid=AP//01-9k
6 days
Chapter 20: The Endocrine System and
Reproduction
6 days
Chapter 4: Genetics: The Science of
Heredity
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38, 97-135
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11, E25-E29, E36-E39
5 days
Chapter 5: Modern Genetics
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38, 97-135
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
C85-C88
PL (exams) E7-E11, E25-E29, E36-E39
5 days
Date Taught
CS
AHS
GE
3
I-1
V-1
WR
SAT
10
CONTENT STANDARDS
MONTHLY REMEDIATION AND TEST
Descriptive p. 497
X
Relate major tissues and organs of the skeletal,
circulatory, reproductive, muscular, respiratory,
nervous, and digestive systems to their functions
 Arranging in order the organizational levels of the
human body from the cell through organ systems
X
Relate major tissues and organs of the skeletal,
circulatory, reproductive, muscular, respiratory,
nervous, and digestive systems to their functions
 Arranging in order the organizational levels of the
human body from the cell through organ systems
Expository pp. 473, 486
3
I-1
V-1
Descriptive p. 527
Expository pp. 529
3
I-1
V-1
Narrative p. 555, 559
X
Relate major tissues and organs of the skeletal,
circulatory, reproductive, muscular, respiratory,
nervous, and digestive systems to their functions
 Arranging in order the organizational levels of the
human body from the cell through organ systems
3
I-1
V-1
Expository pp. 583
X
Relate major tissues and organs of the skeletal,
circulatory, reproductive, muscular, respiratory,
nervous, and digestive systems to their functions
 Arranging in order the organizational levels of the
human body from the cell through organ systems
Narrative pp. 559, 609
All
3
All
above
I-1
V-1
ALL COS
Persuasive p. 596, 559
X
Relate major tissues and organs of the skeletal,
circulatory, reproductive, muscular, respiratory,
nervous, and digestive systems to their functions
 Arranging in order the organizational levels of the
human body from the cell through organ systems
8
Chapter 14: Bones, Muscles, and Skin
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11
Chapter 15: Food and Digestion
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11
Chapter 16: Circulation
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11
Chapter 17: Respiration and Excretion
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11
Pacing
Guide
6 days
5 days
5 days
4 days
4 days
Review for ARMT/SAT 10
5 days
ARMT/SAT 10
10 days
Chapter 18: Fighting Disease
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11
5 days
Date Taught
CS
3
2a
2b
2c
10a
6
8a
11a
11b
AHS
GE
I-1
V-1
WR
Expository pp. 603, 621
I-1
II-1
II-2
II-3
II-4
V-1
V-2
Narrativepp. 57, 69
IV-1
IV-2
Expository pp. 137, 139
SAT
10
X
Relate major tissues and organs of the skeletal,
circulatory, reproductive, muscular, respiratory,
nervous, and digestive systems to their functions
 Arranging in order the organizational levels of the
human body from the cell through organ systems
X
Identify functions of organelles found in eukaryotic
cells, including the nucleus, cell membrane, cell
wall, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and vacuoles
 Identifying components of the cell theory
 Identifying cells as prokaryotic or eukaryotic
 Listing the sequence of the mitotic cell cycle
Identify differences between deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)
X
Describe evidence of species variation due to
climate, changing landforms, interspecies
interaction, and genetic mutation
Examples: fossil records over geologic time, rapid
bacterial mutations due to environmental pressures
Describe the function of chromosomes
 Identifying genes as parts of chromosomes that carry
genetic traits
Identify Mendel’s laws of genetics
 Recognizing Down’s syndrome and sickle cell
anemia as inherited genetic disorders
 Using a monohybrid Punnett square to predict the
probability of traits passed from parents to offspring
Persuasivep. 53
Descriptivep. 67
Narrativep. 130
CONTENT STANDARDS
Pacing Guide
Chapter 19: The Nervous System
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11
REVISIT AND REVIEW:
Chapter 2 Sections 3 & 4: Living Things
And Chapter 3: Cell Processes and Energy
www.sciencnetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
www.wisconline.com/objects/index_to.asp?objid=AP/
/01-9k
Chapter 4: Genetics: The Science of
Heredity
www.sciencenetlinks.com
Lab zone Easy Planner
www.PHSchool.com
PNG - pp. 11-38, 97-135
PL (labs) C35-C50, C57-C65, C73-C101
PL (exams) E7-E11, E25-E29, E36-E39
REVIEW FOR SEMESTER EXAM / TAKE EXAM
9
Date
Taught
6 days
5 days
5 days
4 days