7th Grade Life Science

Instructor

Scott Erickson

E-mail Address

serickson@lcsd2.org

Phone Number

(307) 885-5208

Planning Time

2:30 to 3:30

Course Description

In this course, students will do the following:

1) Explain the interrelationships of populations and ecosystems
2) Recognize the diversity of organisms and describe adaptations
by examining similarities and differences among species, natural
selection, species extinction, and fossil evidence
3) Describe homeostasis, stimulus/response, and adaptive
behaviors to the environment
4) Apply life cycles of organisms to explain reproduction and
heredity
5) Identify patterns to observe classification systems
6) Identify structure and describe function in living systems
involving cells, levels of organizations, human body systems, and
disease.

Standards

1. Students develop an understanding of scientific concepts using

facts, theories, principles, and models.

2. Students recognize patterns and processes, making connections

in terms of systems and subsystems that explain the
interrelationships of the natural and designed world.

3. Students demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to perform

scientific inquiry.

4. Students develop habits of mind including curiosity, open-

mindedness and persistence.

5. Students communicate and apply scientific concepts.

6. Students apply scientific principles to personal and social issues.

7. Students develop an understanding of the nature of science, its

history, and science as a human endeavor.

8. Students develop skills in using technology and recognize the

relationship between technology and science, including its
potential and limits.

9. Students exercise care in scientific inquiry and recognize the

importance of safety.

Performance Standards
8th grade students at the proficient performance level do the
following:
1) Demonstrate a broad-based knowledge and understanding of
integrated science concepts as established in the benchmarks.
2) Effectively use scientific evidence to recognize, describe, and
illustrate patterns, processes and connections within a system and
its related subsystems, and give accurate examples to show how a
few science disciplines are interrelated.
3) When given a problem, can form a hypothesis, conduct an
experiment demonstrating a systematic process of collecting,
organizing and reporting data, examine results to form a valid
conclusion.
4) Frequently exhibit the habits of mind.
5) As directed, gather and present scientific information from a
variety of sources, and report orally, visually, or in written form
using appropriate scientific nomenclature.
6) When given a situation, integrate scientific information and
principles to make informed decisions about personal, social,
economic and political issues.
7) Explain how scientific knowledge changes and grows due to
the contributions of individuals, building on the knowledge and
previous work of others.
8) Identify interrelationship between science and technology,
identify problems that have been solved through the use of
technology, and identify problems that may be solved through the
application of technology.
9) Follow a series of directions, and use and use appropriate tools
safely during a scientific investigation.
Units of Study

Units

Standards

Benchmarks

Assessments

Measurements in science (Metric system and science tools)

2, 4, 5, 6, & 8

2.2, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 4, 5.2, 6.3, 8.4,

1) Measurement Practicum
2) Measurement & tool quiz
3) Labs throughout the year.
Laboratory Safety

2, 4, 6, 8, & 9

2.6, 2.7, 4, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 8.4, 9.1- 9.6

1) Lab Safety Exam

2) Numerous labs throughout all units.

Scientific Method

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, & 9

2.1, 2.7, 3.1-3.5, 4, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 8.4, 9.1-9.6.

1) Scientific method quiz

2) Scientific method lab
3) Numerous labs throughout all units.

Characteristics of Life

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1-3.5, 4, 6.2, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.6, 8.1,
9.1-9.6

1) Needs and characteristics of life analysis

2) Requirements of life labs
3) Quiz

The Cell Theory

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

1.9, 2.1-2.7, 3.1-3.5, 4, 6.3, 7.1-7.6, 9.1-9.6

1) Cell Models
2) Cell Process labs
3) Quizzes
4) Exam

Genetics

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 4, 5.1, 6.1-6.4, 7.1-7.6, 8.1-8.4,
9.1-9.6

1) DNA Models
2) Drawings and analysis
3) Quizzes
4) Exam

Evolution

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9

1.5, 1.7, 2.1-2.4, 2.6-2.7, 4, 5.1, 6.1-6.4, 7.1-7.6, 9.1-9.6

1) Unit Project
2) Quizzes
3) Exam

Classification and Characteristics of the Kingdoms

1.5, 1.8, 2.1-2.4, 2.6-2.7, 3.1-3.5, 4, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1-6.4, 7.1-7.6, 8.4,
9.1-9.6

1) Classification and kingdom labs

2) Unit Project
3) Quizzes
4) Exam

Units

Standards

Benchmarks

Assessments

Ecology

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

1.4, 1.6, 2.1-2.7, 3.1-3.5, 4, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1-6.4, 7.1-7.6, 8.1-8.4, 9.1-
9.6

1) Ecology Labs
2) Unit Project
3) Quizzes
4) Practicum Exam

Course Materials and Resources

Required Textbook: 1) Prentice Hall- Science Explorer: Animals
2) Prentice Hall- Science Explorer:
Environmental Science
3) Prentice Hall- Science Explorer: From
Bacteria to Plants
4) Prentice Hall- Science Explorer: Cells
and Heredity
5) Prentice Hall- Science Explorer: Human
Biology and Health

Other Materials:
1) 3 subject notebook or binder with paper
2) 2 folders with pockets
3) calculator
4) colored pencils

Student and/or Parent Signature

Student’s Name:______________________ Signature:

___________________________

Parent’s Name: ______________________ Signature:

___________________________

Notice of Nondiscrimination:

Lincoln County School district #2 agrees to ensure equitable

access and equitable participation in all District
courses/classes. All district schools will effectively manage and
creatively utilize resources necessary to support student
learning. The District’s Board of Trustees is committed to a
policy of nondiscrimination in relation to race, religion,
gender, age, national origin, color or disability in admission to,
or access to, or treatment in its educational programs or
activities.