21^st CENTURY

7^th Grade Science

CONTENT STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES FOR WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOLS (2520.3)

Janet Benincosa, TI Specialist

The Seventh Grade Science objectives evaluate, interpret, and predict conditions and phenomena of the living and designed worlds. Through a spiraling, inquiry-based program of study, all students will demonstrate scientific literacy and use of 21^st century skills in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and earth/environmental science and astronomy. The subject matter is delivered through a coordinated, integrated approach with an emphasis on the development of the major science themes of systems, changes and models. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities. Seventh Grade Science reviews motions and forces, ecosystems, diversity of life, energy transformations, plate tectonics, earth’s resources and weather. Major concepts expanded at the seventh grade level include elements, mixtures, and compounds, populations/ecosystems, conservation of matter and energy and earth’s history.

The West Virginia Standards for 21^st Century Learning include the following components: 21^st Century Content Standards and Objectives and 21st Century Learning Skills and Technology Tools.

All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools and content standards and objectives. 

Seventh Grade

Grade 7		Science
Standard:1		Nature of Science
SC.S.7.1		Students will · demonstrate an understanding of the history of science and the evolvement of scientific knowledge. · demonstrate an understanding of science as a human endeavor encompassing the contributions of diverse cultures and scientists. · demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of a scientist. demonstrate skills of scientific inquiry.
Performance Descriptors SC.PD.7.1
Distinguished			Above Mastery	Mastery	Partial Mastery	Novice
Seventh grade students at distinguished level assess the importance of the research of historical and diverse scientists in society and culture; model skepticism, careful methodology, logical reasoning and creativity to conduct scientific investigations; predict, hypothesize, quantify independent and dependent variables, organize, interpret experimental data and state a conclusion demonstrating safe techniques.			Seventh grade students at the above mastery level explain the importance of the research of historical and diverse scientists in society and culture; display skepticism, careful methodology, logical reasoning and creativity to conduct scientific investigations; predict, hypothesize, identify independent and dependent variables, organize and interpret experimental data demonstrating safe techniques.	Seventh grade students at the mastery level identify the importance of the research of historical and diverse scientists in society and culture; use skepticism, careful methodology, logical reasoning and creativity to conduct investigations; predict, hypothesize, identify variables, organize and interpret experimental data using safe techniques.	Seventh grade students at the partial mastery level recognize the research of historical and diverse scientists in society and culture; use skepticism, careful methodology, logical reasoning or creativity to conduct an investigation; demonstrate safe investigation techniques; make predictions and organize data.	Seventh grade students at novice level state the research of an historical or diverse scientist; use a methodology to conduct an investigation; demonstrate safe investigation techniques; make predictions and record data.
	Objectives	Students will
	SC.O.7.1.01	realize that scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation and experiments.
	SC.O.7.1.02	recognize scientific knowledge is subject to modification as new scientific information challenges current explanations.
	SC.O.7.1.03	examine the careers and contributions of men and women of diverse cultures to the development of science.
	SC.O.7.1.04	compare and contrast the historical significance of scientific discoveries.
	SC.O.7.1.05	cooperate and collaborate to ask questions, design and conduct investigations to find answers and solve problems.
	SC.O.7.1.06	formulate conclusions through close observations, logical reasoning, objectivity, perseverance and integrity in data collection.
	SC.O.7.1.07	apply skepticism, careful methods, logical reasoning and creativity in investigating the observable universe.
	SC.O.7.1.08	use a variety of technologies and scientific instruments to conduct explorations, investigations and experiments of the natural world.
	SC.O.7.1.09	demonstrate safe techniques for handling, manipulating and caring for science materials, equipment, natural specimens and living organisms.
	SC.O.7.1.10	utilize experimentation to demonstrate scientific processes and thinking skills (e.g., formulating questions, predicting, forming hypotheses, quantifying, or identifying dependent and independent variables).
	SC.O.7.1.11	construct and use charts, graphs and tables to organize, display, interpret, analyze and explain data.
	SC.O.7.1.12	use inferential reasoning to make logical conclusions from collected data.

Grade 7	Science
Standard: 2	Content of Science
SC.S.7.2	Students will · demonstrate knowledge, understanding and applications of scientific facts, concepts, principles, theories and models as delineated in the objectives. · demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships among physics, chemistry, biology, earth/environmental science, and astronomy. · apply knowledge, understanding and skills of the science subject matter/concepts to daily life experiences.
Performance Descriptors SC.PD.7.2
Distinguished		Above Mastery	Mastery	Partial Mastery	Novice
Seventh grade students at distinguished level analyze the effects of diseases on human systems, organs and cells; create dichotomous keys to group similar but distinct organisms based on traits; mathematically model the effects of changing cycles in ecosystems; compare and contrast life cycles of plants and their genetic adaptations; interpret a phase change diagram; classify substances as acids, bases, and salts to predict the products of neutralization reactions; predict the behavior of light waves through media change; compare alternating and direct current; evaluate the mechanical advantage of simple machines; propose changes in the force of gravity on other planets; predict weather and patterns of ocean circulation; relate rock classification and formation to topography; predict the life cycle of a star; predict climate based on latitude.		Seventh grade students at the above mastery level analyze the structure, function of human systems, organs and cells; create dichotomous keys to group organisms; analyze the effects of changing cycles in ecosystems; compare life cycles of plants and their adaptations; draw a phase change diagram to show particle movement; classify substances as acids, bases, and salts to write neutralization word reactions; explain the behavior of light waves; explain lens technology; compare alternating and direct current; compare and contrast mechanical advantage of simple machines; research changes in the force of gravity on other planets; interpret weather and patterns of ocean circulation; relate rock formation to topography and classify rocks; investigate life cycles of a star; contrast climates at various latitudes.	Seventh grade students at the mastery level describe the function of human systems, organs and cells; create simple keys to group organisms; analyze chemical and living cycles in ecosystems; illustrate life cycles of plants; describe particle movement and energy during phase changes; identify elements and compounds and place them in word equations; examine the behavior of light waves; interpret effect of medium on waves; characterize alternating and direct current; investigate energy transformation; explain mechanical advantage of simple machines; characterize gravity as a force; explain weather and patterns of ocean circulation; interpret and model topography; describe rock formation and classify rocks; explain life cycles of a star; relate latitude to climate.	Seventh grade students at the partial mastery level describe the effects diseases have on human systems, organs and cells; compare groups of organisms with a key; identify the role of cycles in ecosystems; illustrate life cycles of plants; illustrate phases of matter during phase changes; write word equations; examine the behavior of waves; recognize that waves are affected by a medium; define alternating and direct current; recognize that simple machines change force; identify gravity as a force; diagram weather and patterns of ocean circulation; group rocks with similar characteristics; model and identify topographic features; sketch the life cycle of a star; associate climates with latitudes.	Seventh grade students at the novice level Identify diseases effecting humans; compare groups of organisms; identify cycles in ecosystems; draw a plant life cycle; illustrate phases of matter; identify elements and compounds; recognize light and sound as waves; observe the interaction of waves and a medium; define current; list types of simple machines; define a force; observe weather and patterns of ocean circulation; describe types of rocks; model topography; recognize that stars have a life cycle; recognize latitude affects climate.

Objectives	Students will
SC.O.7.2.01	demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships among physics, chemistry, biology, earth/environmental science, and astronomy.
SC.O.7.2.02	identify and describe disease causing organisms (such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi) and the diseases they cause.
SC.O.7.2.03	explain how skeletal, muscular, and integumentary systems work together in the human body.
SC.O.7.2.04	compare the level of organization of cells, tissues and organs in living things.
SC.O.7.2.05	construct simple keys to differentiate among living things with similar characteristics.
SC.O.7.2.06	use pictures to show cyclical processes in nature (e.g., water cycle, nitrogen cycle, or carbon cycle).
SC.O.7.2.07	evaluate how the different adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals help them to survive in different niches and environments (e.g., inherited and acquired adaptations).
SC.O.7.2.08	analyze how changes in the environment have led to reproductive adaptations through natural selection.
SC.O.7.2.09	explain how an organism’s behavior response is a combination of heredity and the environment.
SC.O.7.2.10	analyze the differences in the growth, development and reproduction in flowering and non-flowering plants.
SC.O.7.2.11	predict the trends of interdependent populations if one of the limiting factors is changed.
SC.O.7.2.12	evaluate the consequences of the introduction of chemicals into the ecosystem (e.g., environmental consequences, human health risks, or mutations).
SC.O.7.2.13	compare differences among elements, compounds, homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
SC.O.7.2.14	examine the differences in types of solutions (e.g., solutes and solvents, relative concentrations, conductivity, pH).
SC.O.7.2.15	examine chemical reactions involving acids and bases by monitoring color changes of indicator(s) and identifying the salt formed in the neutralization reaction.
SC.O.7.2.16	write word equations to describe chemical reactions.
SC.O.7.2.17	describe the movement of individual particles and verify the conservation of matter during the phase changes (e.g., melting, boiling, or freezing).
SC.O.7.2.18	identify the characteristics of sound waves and describe how sound is perceived by the ear.
SC.O.7.2.19	define the absorption and reflection of light as translucent, opaque and transparent.
SC.O.7.2.20	interpret and illustrate changes in waves as they encounter various mediums (e.g., mirrors, or lenses).
SC.O.7.2.21	Investigate absorption and reflection of light by an object.
SC.O.7.2.22	characterize series and parallel circuits; AC and DC currents.
SC.O.7.2.23	explain conservation of matter and energy and investigate the different forms of energy (e.g., mechanical, potential, kinetic, or gravitational).
SC.O.7.2.24	perform experiments with simple machines to demonstrate the relationship between forces and distance; use vectors to represent motion.
SC.O.7.2.25	explain the effect of gravity on falling objects (e.g., g=9.8m/s^2, object dropped on earth and on moon).
SC.O.7.2.26	describe and compare the causes of tides, surfs and currents.
SC.O.7.2.27	examine the effects of the sun’s energy on oceans and weather (e.g., air masses, or convection currents).
SC.O.7.2.28	interpret GIS maps and create and interpret topographical maps.
SC.O.7.2.29	describe rock formations (e.g., rock cycle).
SC.O.7.2.30	classify rocks (e.g., crystal/particle size, or mineral composition and uses).
SC.O.7.2.31	determine the relevant age of rock layers using index fossils and the law of superposition.
SC.O.7.2.32	explain how changing latitude affects climate.
SC.O.7.2.33	trace the life cycle of a star.

Grade 7		Science
Standard:3		Application of Science
SC.S.7.3		Students will · explore the relationship between the parts and the whole system; construct a variety of useful models; examine changes that occur in an object or system. · demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence between science and technology. · demonstrate the ability to utilize technology to gather data and communicate designs, results and conclusions. · demonstrate the ability to evaluate the impact of different points of view on health, population, resource and environmental practices.
Performance Descriptors SC.PD.7.3
Distinguished			Above Mastery	Mastery	Partial Mastery	Novice
Seventh grade students at the distinguished level predict the change in a system and/or model as a result of changing a part; identify an innovation and the science that makes it possible; evaluate the appropriateness of selected technology to collect scientific data; evaluate the persuasiveness of points of view regarding health, population, resources and environmental practices presented by various media sources.			Seventh grade students at the above mastery level evaluate the role of parts that contribute to the functioning of the system; analyze changes in systems and models; identify innovations with the science that makes them possible; select and use the appropriate technology to collect scientific data; use multiple media sources to evaluate different points of view regarding health, population, resources and environmental practices.	Seventh grade students at the mastery level analyze parts as they contribute to the functioning of the system; analyze changes in systems and models; match an innovation with the science that makes it possible; identify and use the appropriate technology to collect scientific data; use multiple media sources to evaluate different points of view regarding health, population, resources and environmental practices.	Seventh grade students at the partial mastery level compare the functioning of parts to the functioning of the system; match an innovation with the science that makes it possible; use the appropriate technology to collect scientific data; use media sources to evaluate different points of view regarding health, population, resources or environmental practices.	Seventh grade students at novice level identify parts of a system; identify a scientific/ technological innovation; use technology to collect scientific data; use media sources to identify a point of view regarding health, population, resources or environmental practices.
	Objectives	Students will
	SC.O.7.3.01	explore the relationship between the parts of a system to the whole system.
	SC.O.7.3.02	construct a variety of useful models of an object, event, or process.
	SC.O.7.3.03	compare and contrast changes that occur in an object or a system to its original state.
	SC.O.7.3.04	compare and contrast the influence that a variation in scale will have on the way an object or system works. (e.g., cooling rates of different-sized containers of water, strength of different-sized constructions from the same material, or flight characteristics of different-sized model airplanes).
	SC.O.7.3.05	research everyday applications and interactions of science and technology.
	SC.O.7.3.06	evaluate and critically analyze mass media reports of scientific developments and events.
	SC.O.7.3.07	explore the connections between science, technology, society and career opportunities.