• Course:   Seventh Grade Science 7R

    Overview of Course: The seventh grade is devoted to the study of Living Environment or Life Science. Students continue to develop process and inquiry skills through laboratory exercises, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

    Instructional Philosophy: The Garden City Science Department 7th grade course aligns with standards set forth by the NY State Regents curriculum. Additional information about the NYS Science Program can be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov

    Instruction is focused on understanding important relationships, processes, mechanisms, and applications of concepts. The primary objective is to engage our students in lessons that are meaningful, inspiring and enjoyable and promote a greater interest in Science. The assessments will test students’ ability to explain, analyze, and interpret scientific processes and phenomena. Critical to understanding science concepts is the use of scientific inquiry to develop explanations of natural phenomena. Therefore, the students will have the opportunity to develop their skills of analysis, inquiry, and design through various inquiry activities and laboratory work on a regular basis.

    Knowledge and Skills Objectives

    General Skills

    1. follow safety procedures in the classroom and laboratory

    2. safely and accurately use the following measurement tools:

            metric ruler

            balance

            graduated cylinder

            thermometer

    3. use appropriate units for measured or calculated values

    4. recognize and analyze patterns and trends

    5. classify objects according to an established scheme and a student-generated scheme

    6. develop and use a dichotomous key

    7. sequence events

    Living Environment Skills

    1. manipulate a compound microscope to view microscopic objects

    2. determine the size of a microscopic object, using a compound microscope

    3. prepare a wet mount slide

    4. design and use a Punnett square or a pedigree chart to predict the probability of certain traits

    5. classify living things according to a student-generated scheme and an established scheme.

    6. interpret and/or illustrate the energy flow in a food chain, energy pyramid, or food web

    7. identify pulse points and pulse rates

    8. identify structure and function relationships in organisms

    Units of Study

                The course of study includes these areas:

    1.      Characteristics and Structure of Life

    2.      Heredity and Reproduction

    3.      Evolution and Classification

    4.      Plant types, Structure and Function

    5.      Human Life Processes and Organ Systems

    6.      Ecology

    Major Resources:

    Title: New York Science Grade 7

    Authors: Biggs, Daniel, Feather, Ortleb, Snyder, Zyke

    Publisher: McGraw-Hill Glencoe

    Online resources corresponding to text: www.glencoe.com


    Title: Holt Science and Technology: Life Science 

    Publisher: Rheinhart and Winston Holt