Life Science 7th Grade Standard 2.1 - · PDF fileLife Science 7th Grade Standard 2.1 7.Life Science.2 ... genetic trait found toward the end of the lesson plan ... 7th Grade Standard

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.1 7.Life Science.2.1 Individual organisms with certain traits are more likely than others to

survive and have offspring in a specific environment.

Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills

and Readiness Competencies:

1. What is the relationship between an

organism’s traits and its potential for survival

and reproduction?

2. How is the use of the word "adaptation”

different in everyday usage than in biology?

3. What are some reasons why a given

organism with specific traits may or may not

survive to have offspring in a certain

environment?

4. What are some adaptations to help species

survive and have reproductive success?

5. What determines which traits help an

organism survive in its environment?

6. How does our knowledge of how organisms

adapt to their environment help us modify

organisms for human benefit?

7. What causes a species to go extinct?

8. What happens to a system when a species

becomes extinct?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Develop, communicate, and justify an

evidence-based explanation for why a given

organism with specific traits will or will not

survive to have offspring in a given

environment.

b. Analyze and interpret data about specific

adaptations to provide evidence and develop

claims about differential survival and

reproductive success.

c. Use information and communication

technology tools to gather information from

credible sources, analyze findings, and draw

conclusions to create and justify an evidence-

based scientific explanation.

d. Use computer simulations to model

differential survival and reproductive success

associated with specific traits in a given

environment.

Academic Vocabulary:

adaptation

biological

diversity

environmental

evolution

extinction

genetic trait

genetics

interaction

offspring

organism

population

Assessment:

1. Use the Exit Ticket found below.

2, 5, & 8. Assessments are built into the

lessons.

3. The answers to the discussions questions

found toward the end of the lesson plan can be

used as assessment. Also, there is a writing

assignment with rubric built into the lesson.

4. Toward the bottom of the lesson is a

heading called Analysis Questions. There are

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 128

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.1 reproduction

species

survival

time

trait

four ideas that could be used for assessment to

this activity.

6. The DNA models will be assessed for

accuracy.

7. Determine accuracy of information

presented in the Vokis. Assessment is also

suggested in the lesson.

1. Endangered Exit Ticket

Suggested Activities/Strategies:

1. Students describe characteristics of the

horseshoe crab and specify how living fossils

like the horseshoe crab differ from most other

species. Have them list several strategies that

can be undertaken by humans to protect

endangered species and provide at least one

example of species interconnectedness, as well

as how the population decline of one species

adversely affects another species.

2. Follow the link and download Variation and

Natural Selection. Students explore why

variation is important to the survival of a

species. They identify examples of discrete

and continuous variation and distinguish

inherited and environmental causes of

variation.

3. Investigating Natural Selection: Students

explain natural selection in terms of how

certain individuals survived and passed on

their genetic information. They relate natural

selection to current happenings (antibiotic

resistance, endangered species.)

4. Natural Selection Candy Lab: Model the

idea of natural selection by using the student

preferences for different types of candy over

others.

Resources/Technology:

Adaptations in Cold Environments Video

Animal Adaptations Video

Plant Adaptations Video

Free Clip Art

Free PowerPoints

Free Interactive Games

Free I-pad Apps

Serendip Website

Stickleback Evolution

The Science Queen

Animal Adaptations Resources

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 129

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.1 5. Evolution by Natural Selection

Lab: Principles of natural selection are

demonstrated by a simulation of how different

adaptations contribute to differences in

survival and reproductive success, which

results in changing frequencies of genotypes

in the populations.

6. Edible DNA: Students identify the six main

parts of a DNA molecule and correctly pair

DNA bases together in a model.

7. Voki Animal: Download Voki and register

at voki.com. Have the students create their

own animal species and learn how to write the

animal type and name (genus species.)

8. The Perfect Cow Lesson: This lesson

focuses on how and why humans have been so

successful in selectively breeding cattle, while

also exploring the limitations and

consequences of this success.

1. Endangered Relationships

3. Natural Selection Lesson Plan

4. Natural Selection Candy Activity

5. Evolution by Natural Selection Student

5. Evolution by Natural Selection Teacher

7. Voki Animals

8. The Perfect Cow Lesson

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 130

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.2 7.Life Science.2.2 The human body is composed of atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs,

and organ systems that have specific functions and interactions.

Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills

and Readiness Competencies:

1. How does each body system contribute to

supporting the life of the organism?

2. How do organs and organ systems in the

human body interact to perform specific

functions?

3. How can models help us to better

understand the human body?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Develop and design a scientific

investigation about human body systems.

b. Develop, communicate, and justify an

evidence-based scientific explanation

regarding the functions and interactions of the

human body.

c. Gather, analyze, and interpret data and

models on the functions and interactions of the

human body.

Academic Vocabulary:

atom

cell

function

human body

model

molecule

organ system

organ

relationship

scale

structure

system

tissue

Assessment:

1. The Check for Understanding suggestions

and worksheets in the lesson can be used for

assessment.

2, 9, &10. Assessment is built into lesson.

3. For assessment, have students draw a

graphic describing the levels of organization

from a cell to an individual organism.

4. Examine the correctness of content and

completion of notes from the PowerPoint.

5. Assessment ideas are located in the lesson

under Closure.

6. A rubric is included in the lesson.

7. The assessment is included in the Webquest

directions.

8. Evaluate the student PowerPoints.

Suggested Activities/Strategies:

1. Exploring Structure and Function in

Biological Systems: Students distinguish

Resources/Technology:

Digestive System Game

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 131

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.2 between levels of organization in biological

systems and understand how levels of

organization are connected across systems.

2. Download the SMART Notebook Lesson

Organize Me. Review the levels of biological

organization from atom to biosphere.

3. From Egg to Chicken Lab: Students

investigate levels of organization by observing

a chicken egg, wing, and internal organs. The

cell membrane is also explored using the

chicken egg membrane as a model.

4. The Organization in the Body PowerPoint

explains levels of biological organization from

the cell to organism.

5. Cell Organization Inquiry Lab: The level of

organization of organisms goes from atoms to

molecules to cells to tissues to organs to organ

systems to organisms. Students go through the

levels and list specific examples of each.

6. Have students create a Body System Travel

Brochure.

7. The Organ Trail Web Quest: Students

engage in this interactive learning experience

to learn about organs and organ systems.

8. Systems of Our Human Body- A Study

through PowerPoint: This is a student-led

exploration of the systems of the human body

through technology. Students work

cooperatively to develop a PowerPoint

presentation that thoroughly explains each

system.

9. The Human Body Inc Lesson Plan: In this

technology-based project, students take on the

role of a legal defense team and prepare the

court defense for a body organ that is currently

an employee of Human Body Inc.

Body Depot

Protein Science

Free Clip Art

Free PowerPoints

Free Interactive Games

Free I-pad Apps

The Science Spot

Free Human Body Lesson Plans

Human Body Lesson Plans

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 132

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.2 10. The Bod Machine Unit: Students explain

the functions necessary to maintain life and

practice sharing the work equally in a group.

1. Exploring Sturcture and Function Activity

2. Organize Me SMART Activity

3. Egg to Chicken Activity

4. Share My Lesson Site

4. Organization in the Body PowerPoint

5. Cell Organization Inquiry Lab

6. Travel Brochure of the Body System

7. The Organ Trail Web Quest

8. Systems of the Body Lesson Plan

9. The Human Body Inc Lesson

10. The Bod Machine Unit

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 133

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.3 7.Life Science.2.3 Cells are the smallest unit of life that can function independently and

perform all the necessary functions of life.

Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills

and Readiness Competencies:

1. How is the basic structure of a cell related

to its function?

2. How are the components (organelles) of a

cell related to the cell’s function?

3. How are various cells unique and what do

they have in common with other cells?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Gather, analyze, and interpret data and

models on the different types of cells, their

structures, components, and functions.

b. Develop, communicate, and justify an

evidence-based scientific explanation

regarding cell structures, components, and

their specific functions.

c. Compare and contrast the basic structures

and functions of plant cells, animal cells, and

single-celled organisms.

d. Employ tools to gather, view, analyze, and

report results for the scientific investigations

of cells.

Academic Vocabulary:

animal cell

cell structure

cell

centriole

cytoplasm

lysosome

mitochondrion

nucleus

organelle

plant cell

plasma membrane

ribosome

rough endoplasmic reticulum

single-celled organism

smooth endoplasmic reticulum

tissue

vacuole

Assessment:

1, 2, 6, 7, & 8. Assessments are built into the

lessons.

3. Assessment questions are in lesson plan.

4. Lab questions are built into the lesson for

assessment. Rubrics are attached in the lesson

to evaluate activity sheets.

5. Use the worksheet for assessment.

6. Different assessment based on what you

choose to do. They are built into the lessons.

9. The finished cookie is the assessment.

Suggested Activities/Strategies:

1. Download and use the SMART Notebook

Lesson on Cell Structure for students to learn

the names and functions of cell organelles.

Resources/Technology:

Organelles Game

Plant Cells Video, Karaoke, and Quiz

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 134

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.3 2. Share My Lesson Plant and Animal Cells:

Sign up and then save the lesson to a hard

drive. This is a free site that has multiple

lessons on a wide range of topics. Choose

what works for your class. Assessments are

typically built into the lessons.

3. Students identify the cell as the common

unit of life in all organisms, learn how single

celled organisms carry out different life

functions, explore how cells divide during the

process of mitosis, learn how cell

specialization occurs in embryos, compare the

structure and function of different specialized

cells, and identify the location of specialized

cells in the body.

4. Cell Structure and Function Lab: Students

draw and label cell organelles observed under

a light microscope. They identify similarities

and differences of prokaryotic and eukaryotic

cells, then identify similarities and differences

between plant and animal cells.

5. Virtual Tour of a Cell: Students engage in a

virtual tour and complete an affiliated

worksheet.

6. Cell Structure and Function Lesson Plan:

This resource contains multiple ideas for

warm-ups, journal entries, and web activities

on cell structures and functions.

7. The Cell Lesson: This series of lessons was

designed to meet the needs of gifted children

for extension beyond the standard curriculum

with the greatest ease of use for the educator.

(Identified for Grade 5, but it is a well-

developed lesson that can be modified for use

in Grade 7.)

8. Animal Cell Unit: Students differentiate the

characteristics of animal and plant cells,

identify and name at least six organelles in the

cell, match the function to the organelle on a

Animal Cells Video and Quiz

Cells as Building Blocks

Free Lesson Plans

Free Clip Art

Free PowerPoints

Free Interactive Games

Free I-pad Apps

Protein Science

Cell PowerPoint

Cellular Lesson Plans

Cell Organelles Crossword Puzzle

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 135

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.3 cell model, and build a three-dimensional

model of a plant or animal cell.

9. Cell Cookie Lesson Plan: Students construct

a cookie that looks like a cell.

1. SmartExchange Cell Structure

2. Share My Lesson Plant and Animal Cell

Lesson

3. Cellular Structure and Function Lesson

4. Cell Structure and Function Lab

4. Cell Structure and Function Activities

5. Virtual Tour of a Cell

5. Inside a Cell Worksheet

6. Cell Structure and Function Activities

7. The Cell Lesson

8. Animal Cell Unit

9. Cell Cookie Lesson Plan

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 136

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.4 7.Life Science.2.4 Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are important processes by which

energy is acquired and utilized by organisms.

Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills

and Readiness Competencies:

1. What is the relationship between

photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

2. What energy transformations occur in both

the processes of photosynthesis and cellular

respiration?

3. How can computer simulations help us

distinguish the relationship between

photosynthesis and cellular respiration within

plants?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Gather, analyze, and interpret data regarding

the basic functions of photosynthesis and

cellular respiration.

b. Use direct and indirect evidence to describe

the relationship between photosynthesis and

cellular respiration within plants and between

plants and animals.

c. Use computer simulations to model the

relationship between photosynthesis and

cellular respiration within plants and between

plants and animals.

Academic Vocabulary:

cellular respiration

direct evidence

indirect evidence

organism

photosynthesis

process

Assessment:

1, 4, 5, 6, & 7. Assessment is located within

lesson.

2. This is an interactive activity, so there no

assessment other than informal observations of

student responses.

3. Assess the accuracy and content of the final

poster using the project questions as an

evaluative guide.

Pre or Post-Assessment for cellular respiration

and photosynthesis. This could also be

modified to be used as a worksheet or quiz.

Pre-Post Assessment

Suggested Activities/Strategies:

1. This lab activity demonstrates whether CO2

is consumed or released by plants as evidence

of photosynthesis.

Resources/Technology:

Video, Karaoke, and Quiz

Buzzle on Cell Respiration

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 137

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.4 2. Leaf Photosynthesis Activity: This NetLogo

model of leaf photosynthesis shows the

macroscopic outcome of the reaction.

3. Poster Activity: Have students create a

poster of photosynthesis.

4. Cell Respiration: In this lesson, students

compare the basic energy transfer in

photosynthesis and cell respiration with a

focus on the role of ATP. Worksheets, labs,

and assessments are included in the body of

the document.

5. Energy from Food: In this lab activity,

students use microscopes to view parts of a

leaf and then conduct an experiment to

demonstrate the role of light and CO2 in

photosynthesis.

6. Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Activity: Students use real plants to observe

how photosynthesis and cellular respiration

occur.

7. Photosynthesis in Action Lesson: The

students watch videos, participate in

interactive demonstrations, and engage in

tasks to learn about the process of

photosynthesis.

1. Consume or Release CO2 Activity

2. Leaf Photosynthesis Interactive Activity

3. Poster Project

6. Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Lesson Plan

7. Photosynthesis in Action Lesson

7. Student Webquest for Photosynthesis in

Action

Free Clip Art

Free PowerPoints

Free Interactive Games

Free I-pad Apps

Science Class.net

Structure of a Leaf and Photosynthesis

Interactive Intro to Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis PowerPoints

Plants in Motion Videos

Games and Activities about Plants

Photosynthesis Lesson Plans

Cellular Respiration Lesson Plans

Interactive Photosynthesis Model

Interactive Learning Module on

Photosynthesis 4-H

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 138

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.5 7.Life Science.2.5 Multiple lines of evidence show the evolution of organisms over geologic

time.

Essential Questions - 21st Century Skills

and Readiness Competencies:

1. What might life on Earth have been like in

the distant past and what evidence is there for

this?

2. How does the evidence about the way life

has evolved on Earth from long ago tell us

about Earth today?

3. What are some causes and effects of a mass

extinction event?

4. What are some ways that organisms and the

environment have evolved over time?

Evidence Outcomes:

a. Interpret and analyze data from the fossil

record to support a claim that organisms and

environments have evolved over time.

b. Analyze and critique the evidence regarding

the causes and effects of a mass extinction

event.

c. Analyze and interpret data that show human

evolution.

d. Use technology to share research findings

about the evidence regarding the causes and

effects of a mass extinction event.

Academic Vocabulary:

environment

evolution

fossil

geologic time

human evolution

mass extinction

organism

Assessment:

1. No assessment needed.

2, 4, 5, 6, & 7. Assessments are built into the

lessons.

3. Assessment is built into the lesson. Use this

rubric.

Suggested Activities/Strategies:

1. Take a tour of the Galapagos Islands with

this interactive virtual tour. This is an activity

to explore the Galapagos and to see what led

Darwin to his theory of natural selection.

2. Paleontologist's Path: This activity

demonstrates what the environment was like at

Florissant, Colorado 35 million years ago.

Students examine and classify fossils and infer

how the environment has changed over time.

3. Learning Evolution: In this lesson, students

learn about the process of human evolution by

interacting with a Web activity and examining

possible hominid family trees.

Resources/Technology:

Evolution and Tree of Life Genetics

Evidence of Relationship

Seven Short Evolution Videos

Permian Extinction Video

Evolution's Extinction Video

NOVA In Search of Human Origins Clip

Marsupials and Mammals Graphic

Free Clip Art

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 139

Life Science

7th Grade Standard 2.5 4. Fossil Evidence for Evolution: This is an

extended lesson plan that investigates the

fossil record through activities. The plan

contains numerous resources and assessments.

5. Interactive investigation- The Arthropod

Story: This interactive activity delves into the

world of the arthropods and examines their

success and evolutionary constraints.

6. What Did T-Rex Taste Like: In this web-

based module, students are introduced to

cladistics, which organizes living things by

common ancestry and evolutionary

relationships.

7. Dinosaur Evolution Project: Students

pretend to evolve two dinosaurs using genetics

and watch how the dinosaurs adapt to the

environmental change. (Designed for High

School but can be suitably adapted for Grade

7.)

1. Galapagos Island Virtual Tour

2. Paleontologist's Path

5. Interactive Investigation Arthropod Story

6. What Did T-Rex Taste Like

7. Dinosaur Evolution Project

Free PowerPoints

Free Interactive Games

Free I-pad Apps

Slide Show on All Living Things

Site with Multiple Evolution Presentations

Evolution Lessons

Article on Fossil Evidence

Article on Homologies

Diagram on Time and Space

Natural Selection Evidence WorkSheet

Natural Selection Lesson Plans

Copyright © 2013 South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services and Education Designs. 140