7 th Grade Life Science

1. 7th Grade Life Science Investigations in Environmental Science

2. Course Description • Builds Upon Experiences & Provides Foundation • Four Content Strands • Observing Living Things • Understanding Populations and Ecosystems • Chesapeake Bay • Exploring Heredity and Diversity • Strands developed through variety of instructional strategies • Emphasis on observation, experimentation, discussion, generalization and application, 85% Hands-On---Learn Through Doing • Learn concepts in a variety of ways • laboratory investigation, making predictions, designing experiments, collect and organize data in charts and graphs, models, communicate results • Computer technologies integrated with instruction • CD-ROMS, interactive videodisc, digital camera, application software, flex camera, laser disc players. wireless lab stations

3. First Semester • Students investigate interactions of living things with environment • Observations, Scientific Drawing • Work in small groups to build mini ecosystems • Make detailed observations and inferences about the interdependence of living and nonliving things • Create Food Chains and Food Webs • Apply basic ecological concepts to explore human interactions with Chesapeake Bay Watershed

4. Second Semester • Students investigate characteristics of living things • Classification • Experimental Design • Use compound microscopes to observe a variety of plant and animal cells to see similarities and differences • Study pattern of organization in multicellular organisms, look at cell processes – osmosis, diffusion, photosynthesis • Review life processes of living things • Introduced to genetic principles of how living things pass traits from one generation to the next, DNA • Change over time

5. Investigating Matter & Energy 8th grade Physical Science

6. Course Description • The 8th grade physical science course, titled “Investigating Matter and Energy,” builds upon the physical science experiences introduced in upper elementary school. • There are three content strands developed through a sequence of varied instructional strategies with an emphasis on experimentation, observation, generalization, application, and discussion. • Students learn physical science concepts through hands-on laboratory investigations.

7. Concept strands Energy Force Matter

8. Investigating Matter & Its Changes • Through hands-on experiences, students examine different types of matter and create generalizations about the nature of matter including physical and chemical changes. • They build on their knowledge of the atom and study the organization of the periodic table to gain a better understanding of chemicals and their properties. Topics Physical Properties Mass, Volume, Density Atoms & the Periodic Table Chemical Bonds Chemical Reactions Acids & Bases

9. Investigating Energy & Its Changes • Students analyze energy transformations and apply their general knowledge of the forms of energy to understand the how work occurs. • Hand-on activities focus on particular forms of energy and their application to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts. Topics Forms of Energy Heat & Temperature Waves, Light & Sound Electricity & Magnetism

10. Investigating Forces & Motion • Students form a stronger conceptual understanding of work, force and motion. • Activities engage students in learning the relationships of physics principles. They are designed to build confidence in examining and discussing physics concepts based on data and theoretical knowledge. Topics Force & Motion Speed, Velocity & Acceleration Newton’s Laws Work& Power Mechanical Advantage Efficiency

11. Student Goals Communicating Problem-Solving Thinking Professional Collaborating Meeting Standards

12. Other Items • Binders/Lab Manuals/Textbook • Planners • Tests/Review • Portfolio Folders • Blackboard

13. Organization Planners Homework buddies Blackboard Get Involved Team Events Team Parent Clubs/Activities Dances Study Skills Study Space at Home Review notes/chapter Study-Quiz-Study Parent/Guardian Check Homework Check Planner We need your help Keys for Success