Norris School District, MS Science

Science 7 Curriculum

Title: Science 7

Textbook: Science Explorer (book series), Prentice Hall , 2002 copyright

Description: Science 7 is a part of the seventh grade core curriculum block and is required for all seventh grade students. Science 7 meets on a daily basis for 72 minutes with six heterogeneously grouped sections. This course is a practical general study of life science. The course is designed to give students an overall view of different areas in life science, such as careers in science, famous people in science, the scientific method, animals, environmental science, cells and heredity, human biology and health, and dissection. The year is divided into five possible units of study. What makes this textbook different from anything we have ever had is that it is divided into smaller books by subject for the students. Laboratory activities are used throughout the course to give hands on experience and acquaint students with equipment to be used in higher level science classes. The textbook is one of a 15 book series by Prentice Hall. Students might use five books of the series: Animals, From Bacteria To Plants, Cells and Heredity, Human Biology and Health, and Environmental Science.

Goals/Objectives:

1. Students will integrate science and mathematics throughout all units of study.
2. Students will demonstrate the steps to the scientific method.(8.8.2, 8.2.1)
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to create charts and graphs from collected information. (8.1.2)
4. Students will report on famous people of different cultures and lifestyles who have made strides in science. (8.8.1, 8.8.3)
5. Students will be able to describe characteristics of science (8.6.2)
6. Students will show correct usage of science tools such as the balance, meterstick, graduated cylinder, beaker, flask, microscope, thermometer, protractor, compass, test tubes, pipettes, and calculators.
7. Students will memorize and apply laboratory safety rules and symbols to lab practices.
8. Students will review the parts and function of cells. (8.4.1)
9. Students will compare and contrast meiosis and mitosis and explain its importance in maintaining life. (8.4.1)
10. Students will learn cell processes and use of energy. (8.4.5)
11. Students will calculate the genotype and phenotype of different living organisms. (8.4.2)
12. Students will learn what is happening in modern genetics as it connects with technology. (8.4.2)
13. Students will explain photosynthesis, cellular respiration and its relationship to gas exchange in the human body. (8.4.1, 8.7.1)
14. Students will examine the structures and functions of the human body systems. (8.4.1)
15. Students will compare and contrast populations and communities as it compares to the Earth and its resources. (8.4.4, 8.5.1, 8.7.2)
16. Students will develop and understanding of diversity and adaptations of organisms.(8.4.5)
17. Students will investigate and dissect preserved specimens such as: earthworms, grasshoppers, clams, frogs, and sheep heart. (8.1.4)
18. Students will learn the function and structure of lower animals such as: sponges, cnidarians, worms, mollusks, arthropods, echinoderms, fishes, amphibians and reptiles, and birds. (8.4.1)
    
    Writing Activities:
    
    1. Students will have journal entries to write.
    2. Students will have lab write ups and questions to do.
    3. Students will write reports and do research periodically.
    4. Students will give oral reports on careers in science.
    5. Students will write current event articles concerning science in the newspapers, science journals, and magazines.
    
    Multicultural Education Activities:
    1. Students will have the opportunity to have guest speakers come in to talk to them about science careers.
    2. Students will have the opportunity to explore and report about a famous person in science and their contributions to science.
    3. When studying the earth and its materials, students will have the opportunity to research and discuss how different cultures utilize our natural resources.
    4. Students will use Science World Magazine to read and report about what is going on in the world and how science is used in various cultures to help solve problems relating to that culture.