Camden Rockport Middle School

COURSE/SUBJECT TITLE: Life Science

LENGTH OF TIME: Full Year (60/65 minutes every other day)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory general biology course for 7th grade         students. The following units are covered:

• The Nature Of Science (Scientific process/Nature of scientific thinking/Tool - systems used for this process/Four underlying principles of living organisms)

• Classification Of Living Things (Develop systems for classifying living organisms/Seven levels of classification/Classification system changes)

• The Cell (Introduction: proper use of a microscope/How cells function/Mitosis: cell division)

• Multi-Cellular Animals (Invertebrates/Vertebrates)

• Heredity (Genetics: history, founding scientists/Human genetics/Mapping changes)

• Plants (Structures & Functions/How life functions are carried out within the plant/ Adaptations)

• Ecology: Eco-Systems And Biomes (Ecosystems/Environmental impacts/Biomes)

ESSENTIAL OUTCOMES:

REPORTING STANDARD: Scientific Content - The Living Environment

1. Students will use the scientific classification system to compare and contrast different phyla in the living world.

2. Students will explain functions within a eukaryotic cell.

3. Students will compare and contrast the structure and function of major organ systems in invertebrates and vertebrates.

4. Students will develop an understanding that living organisms inherit traits in patterns.

5. Students will understand that patterns can be predicted.

6. Students will recognize the similarities and differences of mitosis and meiosis.

7. Students will understand the diversity of structures and functions in plants and how these allow them to live in many different environments.

8. Students will understand that living organisms within an ecosystem interact with each other and their environment.

9. Students will understand that humans are having an effect on the environment.

REPORTING STANDARD: Scientific inquiry, lab and equipment skills

1. Students will explain how to design an experiment including the stages of problem identification, experimental design and implementation, including the use of charts and graphs to evaluate and communicate findings.

2. Students will follow precisely a multi-step procedure when carrying out experiments and technical tasks, using lab equipment effectively.

3. Students will compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations and multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same subject.

4. Students will measure accurately.

REPORTING STANDARD: Reading and Writing

1. Students will write arguments and informative/explanatory essays or constructed responses based on scientific content, supported by specific evidence based on informational texts.

2. Students will produce clear and coherent writings that exhibit organization, attention to audience, and evidence of editing.

3. Students will conduct short research projects using multiple print and digital resources, taking concise and relevant notes, and citing resources correctly.

4. Students will present information making use of available technologies.

5. Students will be able to evaluate a text by:

• Summarizing the central ideas

• Identifying supporting details

• Evaluating the point of view, structure, and validity

1. Students will understand content-specific vocabulary.

2. Students will understand the connection between a text and visual information (charts, graphs, maps, etc.).

KEY VOCABULARY:

EVIDENCE/ASSESSMENTS:

Lab reports/abstracts

Tests

Quizzes

Individual projects

Group projects

Oral presentations

Lab Procedure Observations

TEXTS AND OTHER RESOURCES:

Textbook: Glencoe Life Science

Individual handouts

Internet sites

Classroom available texts and magazines

Revised 8/12