Grade 7

 

Heredity and Evolution I

 

Initial Understanding

           Demonstrate that Evolution is one theory on the origin of life on Earth

           Describe the four stages of Charles DarwinÕs theory of evolution by natural selection

           Recall the parts of the cell theory

           Describe the structure and function of cellular organelles

           Identify similarities and differences that characterized different types of cells (i.e. plant, animal, muscle, nerve, bone, etc.)

           Give examples for each level of organization beginning at the micro level

           Identify the five major organic compounds

           List the types of transport: passive transport and active transport

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Compare evidence for each step of natural selection

           Explain the difference between animal and plant cells

           Describe each organic compound as it relates to its chemical structure

           Illustrate the major differences between active and passive transport

 

Making Connections

           Use comparative anatomy as evidence of natural selection

           Respond to why there are some additional organelles in plant cells when compared to animal cells

           Analyze food labels for organic compound content

 

Critical Stance

           Defend the theory of evolution based on scientific evidence

           Check the nutritional value for a given food label

 

Heredity and Evolution II

 

Initial Understanding

           Describe the basic structure of the DNA molecule and RNA

           Describe a gene

           Describe a trait

           Describe how DNA replicates

           Demonstrate a Punnett Square

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Create a model of the DNA molecule and the RNA molecule

           Create a Punnett Square for a monohybrid cross and a dihybrid cross

           Explain the process of DNA replication

           Explain the relationship between DNA, RNA, a gene, a trait, and the Punnett square

 

Making Connections

           Discuss the correlation between ethnicity and genetic predispositions. i.e. Blond hair, blue eyes, curly hair, and straight hair

           Discuss genetically inherited sickness such as Tay Sachs, Muscular Dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, etc.

 

Structure and Function I

 

Initial Understanding

           List the characteristics and the basic needs of all living things

           Describe a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell

           Describe why viruses are similar to and different from living things

           List the four major types of viruses

           Define mitosis and meiosis

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Classify objects as either living or nonliving

           Draw and label a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell

           Construct a visual to describe major differences in the six kingdoms (concept map, diagram)

           Draw and label the four major types of viruses

           Draw, label, and describe each stage of mitosis

           Draw, label, and describe each stage of meiosis

 

Making Connections

           Discuss the characteristics of a living organisms focusing in on their survival needs

           Design a cell model

           Discuss the stages of mitosis and meiosis

           Design your own classification system based on LinnaeusÕ

 

Critical Stance

           Articulate the reasons doctors do not give antibiotics for a viral infection

           Judge whether or not a designated creation is living

           Given an example of an unknown cell, evaluate whether the cell is eukaryotic or prokaryotic, virus or prion and defend your stand

           Recognize and judge the impact of viruses, prions, and bacteria in our world

           Defend and or refute the statement: Viruses are Living

 

 

Structure and Function II

 

The Reproductive System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the characteristics and functions of the male and female reproductive system

           Recall that in humanÕs sexual reproduction and internal fertilization occurs

           Identify irregularities and disorders of the human reproductive system

           Recall the menstrual cycle

           Recall the stages of human development from fertilization to birth

           Recall the stages of human development from birth to death

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Explain an irregularity or disorder in the human reproductive system

           Given a description of a human stage, predict at what time frame in the humanÕs life it would occur

           Compare the male and female reproductive systems

 

Making Connections

           Design a model of the stages of human development

 

Critical Stance

           Defend the need for genetic counseling

 

The Skeletal System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the function of the skeletal system

           Label major bones of the skeletal system

           Describe the internal structure of bones

           Describe the major joint types

           Describe the major types of connective tissue

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Compare the relationship between the structure and function of bones

           Describe the internal structure of bones

           Give an example of connective tissue

 

Making Connections

           Describe the importance of a healthy skeletal system while playing sports

 

Critical Stance

           Justify the need to maintain a healthy skeletal system

 

The Muscular System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the functions of the muscular system

           Label the major types of muscular tissue

           Recall the major types of connective tissue

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Predict a given major muscles types as voluntary or involuntary

           Compare and contrast the major muscle types

           Explain how skeletal muscle move bones

 

Making Connections

           Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of aerobic exercise and resistance exercise

 

Critical Stance

           Take a stance on the use of nutritional supplements and their effects on the muscular system

           Enumerate the dangers of anabolic steroids

 

The Integumentary System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the major parts and functions of the integumentary system

           List the major parts of the skin

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Explain skin color as it relates to melanin

           Compare the structure of the two major layers of the skin

 

Making Connections

           Discuss the importance of proper skin care in general health

           Guess why you feel pain when you pull on your hair or nails but not when you cut them

 

Critical Stance

           Advocate for the use of sun block

           Make a judgment on the use of tanning beds

 

 

The Nervous System

Initial Understanding

           Name the parts of the nervous system and describe their functions

           Name the two subdivisions of the nervous sytem

           Describe the structure of the neuron

           Describe a nerve impulse

           Describe the three parts of the brain along with their function

           Describe the importance of the major components of the spinal cord

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Compare the central nervous system with the peripheral nervous system

           Explain how neurons in the nervous system work together

           Explain the major components of a reflex

 

Making Connections

           Discuss the five senses and how they relate to the nervous system

           Model and involuntary response (i.e. pain in the toe, touching something hot, and knee jerk)

 

Critical Stance

           Advocate for the use of protective head and body gear used during sporting activities

 

The Immune System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the meaning of disease and pathogen

           Name some common human pathogens

           Define the meaning of antigen and antibody

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Compare and contrast infectious and noninfectious diseases

           Develop a concept map showing all major types and functions of immune system cells

 

Making Connections

           Discuss methods to protect yourself from pathogens

           Discuss the immune response path to a given infectious disease

 

Critical Stance

           Support why there is no known cure for immune system diseases that are caused by viruses

           Evaluate the role a vaccine plays in fighting disease

            

The Endocrine System

Initial Understanding

           Define what an endocrine gland is

           Describe the function of the endocrine system

           Name the major glands of the endocrine system

           Define feedback control mechanism

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Compare the functions of the major endocrine system glands

           Explain how the flight/fight response in the endocrine system works

 

Making a Connection

           Construct a diagram or a concept map explaining how this feedback control mechanism works to start and stop an action

           Discuss the connection between the endocrine system and homeostasis

           Discuss how a disease is related to a dysfunction in the Endocrine System

 

Critical Stance

           Defend why the fight/flight response in the endocrine system exists

 

The Urinary System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the functions of the urinary system

           Name the major organs of the urinary system

           Describe the major components of the kidney

           Describe the excretory role of the kidney

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Explain how the kidney filters the blood

           Explain some disorders of the urinary system

 

Making Connections

           Discuss the similarities of a water filtering system in a swimming pool and the kidneys filtering system

           Discuss the role of a diuretic

 

Critical Stance

           Rank the use of sports drinks vs. water during exercise

 

The Circulatory System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the function of the cardiovascular system

           Name the major organs of the cardiovascular system (i.e. heart, arteries, veins, capillaries and blood)

           Name the major components of blood (i.e. red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma)

           Name the major blood types

           Name the parts of the heart

           Describe the major components of the lymphatic system

           Describe the path blood travels as it circulates through the body

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Compare blood types

           Describe the role of the organs of the lymphatic system

 

Making Connections

           Design and label a model of a heart on a diagram

           Discuss the lymphatic system being considered a part of the circulatory system

           Design an illustration for the three types of blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries)

           Discuss the relationship between blood vessels and blood pressure

           Discuss the relationship between the lymph and blood

 

Critical Stance

           Articulate what you need to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system

           Judge the role of the lymphatic system as part of the immune system

 

The Respiratory System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the structure and function of the organs of the respiratory system

           Label the parts of the lung on a diagram or model

           Demonstrate the process of breathing and respiration

           Describe how the respiratory system excretes waste products

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Explain how why the lung is classified as an excretory organ

           Compare cellular respiration and respiration

 

Making Connections

           Design a model of the flow of air through the respiratory system

           Discuss the relationship between lung capacity and breathing rate

           Summarize how the lungs, the kidneys, and the blood work together

 

Critical Stance

           Advocate for a smoke free environment

           Judge the environmental factors that play a role in the increase of asthma

 

The Digestive System

Initial Understanding

           Describe the structure and functions of the digestive system

           Describe the process of mechanical digestion

           Describe the process of chemical digestion

           Describe how enzymes and organ secretions aid in digestion

           Define absorption

 

Develop an Interpretation

           Compare mechanical and chemical digestion

           Explain how absorption relates to the intestines, liver, and pancreas

           Explain the process of chemical digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and discuss where these are digested i.e. mouth, stomach, or intestines

 

Making Connections

           Illustrate or construct a model of the major components of the digestive system

           Model the path traveled by a mouthful of food through the digestive system

            

Critical Stance

           Debate about food advertising during childrenÕs television viewing hours

           Judge the impact of eating disorders on the digestive system