(14 days)
Aug. 27 – Sept 14
Year at a Glance
Category/Unit/Lesson Objectives
Unit 01:
Student is able to:

Conduct safe lab and field investigations and uses appropriate tools.

Measure mass, volume and length in metric units.

Correctly create data tables, collect data and display results in the appropriate graph.
7.1A; 7.4B
th
Essential Questions
1.
Why is lab safety important?
2.
Why must some wastes be disposed of differently than others?
3.
Why is the metric system used in science?
4.
Why is the metric system more user friendly than customary?
5.
Why do we represent data in the form of a graph?
6.
What are the steps to create a graph?
7.
How do you determine which graph is appropriate to represent your data?
8.
Utilize safe practices in lab settings!
Resources/Student Products
 Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1 page

Safety Contract Sponge Bob Safety
Worksheet
 Lab Safety Gone Bad! Posters
 Safety Matching Game
 Graduated Cylinder worksheet
 Metric Mania (conversions)

Metric Conversions Gizmo

Measurement Lab
 Mass & Length

Measurement Lab
 Volume

M&M Lab (data table & graph creation)

Paper Towel Lab
 Cookie Caper Lab

Scientific Method Memory Game
 Safety Quiz

Scientific Method, Variables, and
Graphing Test
Vocabulary
Assessments
Safety Quiz
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Safety, Metric
Measurement Test
Scientific Method,
Variables, and
Graphing Test
Hazardous, eye wash, fire blanket, vent hood, flammable, meter, liter, gram, metric system, graduated cylinder, meniscus, accurate, conversion, pie, line, bar, histogram, data table, x & y axis, increase, decrease, trend line, mass, volume, length, scientific method, problem, hypotheses, procedures, results, conclusion, analysis, graph, independent variable, dependent variable.
1

Unit 02:
7.4A; 7.12B-F
(33 days)
Sept. 17-Oct 26
Vocabulary
Unit 03:
7.3D; 7.14A-C
(30 days)
Oct. 29 – Dec. 5
Vocabulary
Students will:

Differentiate structures and functions of cell organelles.

Understand the basic principles of cell theory.

Understand the purpose of
Mitosis and be able to outline the steps involved.

Compare the results of uniform and diverse offspring from different types of reproduction.

Use a microscope to
1. Cells are the basic unit of life
2.
All cells come from pre-existing cells
 Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1 page

Parts of a Microscope
 Introduction to Cells Reading

Cells Webquest
 Cells Memory Game

Cells Lab (with microscopes)
 Introduction to Mitosis Reading

Cell Division Gizmo
 “Mitosis on the Table” Lab
Structure of the
Microscope Quiz
Cells Structure &
Function Quiz
Cell as a City
Analogy Project
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Cells & Mitosis Test conduct a variety of scientific investigations.
Nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast, cell membrane, cell wall, chromosome, ribosomes, proteins, chromatin, endoplasmic reticulum, DNA, interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis, spindle fiber, centromeres, centriole, asexual, mitosis, budding, regeneration, fission
Students will:

Understand the structure and function of DNA and its role in heredity.

Predict possible outcomes of mating.
1. DNA holds all inherited material
2. Genetics is the study of how traits are passed from one generation to the next
3. Diversity in life allows for survival in many environments

Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1 page
 DNA Structure
 Mendel Reading
 Genetics Web quest

Smiley Face Genetics Lab
 Genetics Problem Sets

Mouse Genetics Gizmo
Genetics Problems
Quiz
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
DNA & Genetics
Test
Deoxyribonucleic acid, nitrogen bases-cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, double helix, Watson and Crick, Franklin, replication, mutation, sugar-phosphate backbone, Mendel, heredity, gene, chromosome, punnett square, dominant, recessive, genotype, phenotype, heterozygous, homozygous, hybrid, purebred, allele, incomplete dominance, co-dominance
2

Unit 04:
7.3B-C; 7.6B-C;
7.7B; 7.12B-C;
7.12E; 7.13A
(23 days)
Dec. 6 - Jan 22
Vocabulary
Unit 5:
7.1A-B; 7.2B; 7.3A;
7.4B; 7.6A-C
(10 days)
Jan 23– Feb 5
Students will:

Understand the main functions of the body’s systems, including skeletal, muscular, digestive, excretory, integumentary, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems and their role in protection, movement and support of the body.
1. Strong bones and toned muscles enable you to live a more active and healthy lifestyle.
2. A healthy cardiovascular system is important to your well-being
3. Coordination and regulation of all body processes are controlled by your nervous and endocrine systems
4. Differences exist between male and female reproductive organs.
5. Gametes produced by male and female combine in sexual reproduction
 Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1 page

Body Systems Notes & Packets
 “Pushing the Limits- Strength”

Highlights of the Skeleton- labeling
 X-ray Lab

Bones Bingo
 Digestive Organs Research

Superheroes of Digestion posters
 Chemical & Physical Changes in
Digestion Lab
 Nerfil Digestion Activity

Circulation & Pathway of Blood Notes
 Circulation Gizmo
 Circulatory System Micro viewer
 Respiratory & Integumentary Disease
Research

Skin Anatomy Lab
 Pig Heart Dissection

Nervous System Lab
 Mouse Party- Your Brain on Drugs
Reproductive System & Human Life
Skeletal, Muscular,
Integumentary Quiz
Digestive,
Excretory,
Circulatory, and
Respiratory Quiz
Endocrine,
Nervous, and
Reproductive Quiz
Frog Quiz
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Body Systems Test
Stages Notes

Virtual Frog Dissection
 Frog Dissection
Cells, tissue, organs, internal structures, homeostasis, skeletal, involuntary, voluntary, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, small and large intestines, rectum, anus, chyme, salivary glands, chemical digestion, physical digestion, atrium, ventricles, veins, arteries, capillaries, gas exchange, trachea, alveoli, lungs, diaphragm, skin, dermis, stimulus, response, cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, reflex, spinal cord, hormones, male reproductive organs, female reproductive organs, gametes, egg, sperm, zygote, embryo, fetus
Students will:

Understand relationships
1.
All matter is made up of atoms
2.
Matter is constantly changing between atoms and molecules.

Understand the components of organic compounds.

Distinguish between physical and chemical changes.

Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1 page

Adopt an Element Project

Chemistry Foldable

Greatest Discoveries in Chemistry
Video Molecules Matter Lab

Identifying Nutrients Gizmo

Organic Compound Lab

Changing Matter Notes

Effervescence Lab

Popcorn Lab

Safe Slime Lab
Atoms and
Compounds Quiz
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Chemistry Test
3

Vocabulary
Atom, matter, element, molecule, compound, organic compound, physical properties, chemical properties, physical change, chemical change, bonding
Unit 6:
7.10A-B; 7.11A-C;
7.12A
(13 days)
Feb 6 - Feb 25
Vocabulary
Students will:

Have an appreciation for the diversity of life.

Compare traits of organisms of different species that enhance their survival and reproduction.
1.
Diversity in life allows for survival in many environments …
2.
All organisms have unique structures that allow for survival
….
 Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1, page

Adaptations Notes
 Natural Selection vs. Selective Breeding
Notes
 Planet Earth “Pole to Pole” video
 Bird Beak Lab
 Stimulus/ Response Notes
 Earthworm Lab
 Animal Behavior Reading
 Using a Dichotomous Key

Sharks Key
 Buttons or Leaves Key
Vocabulary Quiz ␣
Squirrel Island
Project
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Animal Adaptations
Test
Adaptation, natural selection, heterotroph, autotroph, bilateral, asymmetrical, radial symmetry, hermaphrodite, exoskeleton, metamorphosis, mimicry, invertebrate, vertebrate, filter feeder, endothermic, exothermic, carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, hibernation, structural, behavioral, stimulus, response, binary
4

Unit 7:
7.5A-C; 7.10A-C;
7.7C
(13 days)
Feb 26 – Mar 22
Vocabulary
Unit 8:
7.8A-C
(13 days)
Mar 25 – April 16
Vocabulary
Students will:

Understand the interaction organisms in an ecosystem.

Understand how ecosystems respond to natural change and/or catastrophic events.

Understand the difference between potential and kinetic energy and how energy flows in an ecosystem.

Summarize the relationship between respiration and photosynthesis.

Understand that energy is neither created nor destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form to another.

Understand that photosynthesis allows plants
1. There is an intricate and delicate balance within an ecosystem that can be affected by any natural environmental change, catastrophic event or human impact.
 Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1, page

Biome Poster
 Conservation of Resources Worksheet

Ecology Photo Competition
 Ecological Succession Worksheet

Ecology Bingo
 Food Web Posters

North Texas Lake Food Web
 Food Chain Gizmo

Biomagnifications Demo
Ecology Quiz
Energy Flow Quiz
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Ecology Test
Ecology Photo
Project to make their own food.
Ecosystems, biomes, biotic, abiotic, ecological succession, pioneer species, lichen, climax community, parasitism, commensalisms, symbiosis, mutualism, population, community, biosphere, habitat, niche, limiting factor, competition, carrying capacity, species, equilibrium, trophic level, food chain, food web, producer, consumer, phototropism
Students will:

Understand and analyze the
1. The impact of catastrophic events on our ecosystems.
2.
Effects of weathering on our
 Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1, page
Weathering quiz
Watershed quiz effects of weathering, various regions of Texas.

Abrasion lab erosion, and deposition on the environment.

Understand the effects of human activity on
3.
What effects human have on our water supply.
 Weathering notes
 Succession notes
 Watershed notes

Texas ecoregions projects
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Weathering Test groundwater and surface water in a watershed.
Texas Ecoregions projects
Weathering, erosion, deposition, groundwater, surface water, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, ecoregions, watersheds
5

Unit 9:
Physics
7.7A
(22 days)
April 17– May 21
Vocabulary
Unit 10:
Astronomy
7.9A-B
(10 days)
May 22 – June 6
Vocabulary
Students will:

Understand where work is done with different amounts of force to situations and where no work is done.
1. The forces acting on it determine the motion of objects.
Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1 page
Work notes
Friction notes
Friction Lab (cars & carpets)
Speed Challenge Lab
Inclined Plane Lab
Ant GIZMO
Speed Quiz
Physics Test
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Inclined plane lab
Rube Goldberg project
Friction Lab
Speed, force, acceleration, friction, work, inertia, Newton, balanced, unbalanced, inclined plane, mechanical advantage, input, output, load
Students will:

Understand the characteristics of objects in our solar system that allow life to exist such as the
1.
Characteristics that allow life on a planet (Earth)
2.
The components of our solar system History and future of manned space exploration
Holt Science and Technology
Texas Edition Grade 7 Textbook
Chapter 1, page
Earth notes
Space Video
Guest Speaker
Solar System GIZMO
Atmosmodeler Web quest
Space Quiz
SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
Space Exploration proximity of the Sun, presence of water, and composition of the atmosphere.

Identify the accommodations, considering the
Space Exploration Brochure
Space Exploration Summary PPT
Brochure
Astronomy Test characteristics of our solar system that enabled manned space exploration.
Atmosphere, presence of Water, proximity to the Sun, inner planets, outer planets, manned space exploration, solvent, nitrogen, oxygen, asteroids, gravity, mass, meteor
6