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  1. 7th grade Diversity of Life
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7th grade Diversity of Life Assignments

Instructor
Teacher Hang Becker
Term
2018-2019 School Year
Description
Life has existed on Earth for a very, very long tome, more than 3.5 billion years, in fact. Over the millenia, an amazing variety of life has evolved. From humble single-celled beginnings in water to incredibly complex and large multicellular organisms that exist in the widest range of habitats imaginable, the diversity of life that currently exists boggles the mind. 
 
Our unit, Diversity of Life, is broken up into 8 investigations with multiple parts and focus questions. 
 
This course supports the following principles set forth in A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. 
 
Science and Engineering Practices
1. Asking questions and defining problems
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematics and computational thinking 
6. Constructing explanations
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information 
 
Crosscutting Concepts
- Patterns
- Cause and effect: Mechanism and explanation
- Scale, proportion, and quantity
- Systems and system models
- Energy and matter: Flows, cycles, and conservation 
- Structure and function
- Stability and change 
 

Assignment Calendar

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Past Assignments

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 30: 4/8- 4/12
 
Focus Question: What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort? 
 
Students will begin the week engaged in a variety of activities with their new groups. They will test their artistic, brain and physical skills, and then reflect on their performance to determine how they will choose to end the year strong. 
 
IMPORTANT DATES: 
- PARENT- TEACHER CONFERENCES- 4/10
- Guest speaker- both groups: 4/12
- Investigation 1 assessment (AFL)- group A: 4/26 and B: 4/29
- Investigation 1 assessment (AOL)- group A: 4/30 and B: 5/1
- Investigation 2 assessment (AFL)- group A: 5/8 and B: 5/9
- Investigation 2 assessment (AFL)- group A: 5/14 and B: 5/15
- Investigation 1 & 2 study guide and journal check (AFLs)- group A: 5/16 and B: 5/17
- Investigation 1 & 2 assessment (AOL)- group A: 5/20 and 5/21

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 29: 4/1- 4/4 
 
Focus Question: How do you know if something is living? 
 
Students will examine their Living/Nonliving class cards and find that there is one card that they have not been able to consider, the rhinovirus. They will think about their own prior knowledge and then explore viruses in order to determine whether or not they are living organisms. 
 
We are ending the unit and will have a review game instead of a post examination. We will also have a mini-celebration on the same day. 

 

IMPORTANT DATES: 

- End of unit review game and mini-celebration- group A: 4/3 and group B: 4/4

 

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 28: 3/25- 3/29 
 
Group B will present their Pathogen Projects on Monday, and then we will move onto the next investigation- Diversity of Life.
 
Focus Question: What kind of plant and animal life exists in our schoolyard (neighborhood)? and How do you know if something is living? 
 
Students will watch Secret Garden, a video that takes an amazing look at the life that exists "behind the scenes" in a British yard. Students will observe their own locale to make comparisons. Students will then examine their Living/Nonliving class cards and find that there is one card that they have not been able to consider, the rhinovirus. They will think about their own prior knowledge and then explore viruses in order to determine whether or not they are living organisms. 

 

IMPORTANT DATES: 

- group project and presentation (AOLs)- group B: 3/25

- Investigation 8 assessment (AFL)- group A: 3/26 and group B: 3/27 

 

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 27: 3/18- 3/22
 
Students will take the Investigation 6- Plant Reproduction and Growth assessment this week as they finalize part 2 of the Pathogen Project to present. See attached rubric and details. 

 

IMPORTANT DATES: 

- Investigation 6 assessment (AOL)- group A: 3/18 and group B: 3/21

- group project and presentation (AOLs)- group A: 3/22 and group B: 3/25

- Investigation 8 assessment (AFL)- group A: 3/26 and group B: 3/27 

 

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 26: 3/11- 3/15
 
IAR testing week 
 
7th grade will be taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness on Monday, Thursday and Friday. They will only have a regular science class on Thursday for 45 minutes. 
 
During the 45-minute class, students will complete a study guide for investigation 6 to prepare for the assessment, which will take place the week of March 18. 
 

Students will also continue working on part 2 of their pathogen projects. See attached rubric and details. 

We have our field trip on Wednesday, so please remember to bring a lunch. 

IMPORTANT DATES: Please note the changes due to IAR tests. 

- study guide and journal check (AFL)- group A and group B: 3/14

- field trip to the MS on 3/13- see attachment

- assessment (AOL)- group A: 3/18 and group B: 3/21

- group project and presentation (AOLs)- group A: 3/22 and group B: 3/25

 

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 25: 3/4- 3/8
 
Focus Question: What adaptations do flowering plants have to accomplish pollination? 
 

Students will review flowers, pollination, and seed formation. They will examine pollinator-attracting characteristics of a flower to determine possible pollinators. 

Students will also continue working on their pathogen projects. See attached rubric and details. 

IMPORTANT DATES: Please note the changes due to IAR tests. 

- assessment (AFL)- group B: 3/1

- part 1 of group project due (AFL)- group A: 3/8 and group B: 3/7

- journal check (AFL)- group A: 3/12 and group B: 3/14

- field trip to the MS on 3/13- see attachment

- assessment (AOL)- group A: 3/18 and group B: 3/21

- group project and presentation (AOLs)- group A: 3/22 and group B: 3/25

 

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 24: 2/25- 3/1
 
Focus Question: How do environmental factors affect the germination and early growth of different food crops? and What is the purpose of a flower? 
 

Students will sequence the steps of pollination and fertilization. They will also consider the methods of reproduction that non-flowering plants use. 

Students will also begin their projects (independent, pairs, or small groups). See attached rubric and details. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

- assessment (AFL)- group A: 3/4 and group B: 3/1

- part 1 of group project due (AFL)- group A: 3/8 and group B: 3/7

- assessment (AOL)- group A: 3/14 and group B: 3/15

- group project and presentation (AOLs)- group A: 3/22 and group B: 3/25

- field trip to the MSI- see attachment

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 23: 2/18- 2/22
 
Focus Question: How do the structural adaptations of seeds help them survive? and How do environmental factors affect the germination and early growth of different food crops? 
 

Students will explore the structural adaptations of a seed to gather information about how a seed and newly germinated plant survive. Students will add to their understanding that a dormant seed is alive. In addition, students will investigate how increasing salinity affects the germination and growth of food crops. They will compare four grains to determine that the different grains have varying levels of salt tolerance. This will lead to a discussion on genetic factors. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

- assessment (AFL)- group A: 3/4 and group B: 3/1

- part 1 of group project due (AFL)- group A: 3/8 and group B: 3/7

- assessment (AOL)- group A: 3/14 and group B: 3/15

- group project and presentation (AOLs)- group A: 3/22 and group B: 3/25

- field trip to the MSI- see attachment

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 22: 2/11- 2/15
 
Focus Question: How do the structural adaptations of seeds help them survive?
 

Group A will complete a study guide to help prepare for Investigation 5, Plants: The Vascular System, assessment, which will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the block schedule. Then, we will continue onto Investigation 6, Plant Reproduction and Growth. Here, students will explore the structural adaptations of a seed to gather information about how a seed and newly germinated plant survive. Students will add to their understanding that a dormant seed is alive. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

- assessment (AOL)- group A: 2/13 and group B: 2/12

- assessment (AFL)- group A: 3/4 and group B: 3/1

- part 1 of group project due (AFL)- group A: 3/8 and group B: 3/7

- assessment (AOL)- group A: 3/14 and group B: 3/15

- group project and presentation (AOLs)- group A: 3/18 and group B: 3/19

- field trip to the MSI- see attachment

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 21: 2/4- 2/8
 
Focus Question: How do plants use water?
 

Students will collect the water captured in their plastic bag. This will provide evidence that water, in the form of vapor, is escaping from the plant, most likely through the stomata. Students will learn about the process of transpiration and turn their attention to how water is used in a plant to make food during photosynthesis. They will be introduced to the levels of complexity in a multicellular organism. 

IMPORTANT DATES: Please note the changes due to the cold days off from school. 

- study guide and journal check (AFLs)- group A: 2/11 and group B: 2/8
- assessment (AOL)- group A: 2/13 and group B: 2/12
- field trip to the MSI- see attachment

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 20: 1/28- 2/1
 
Focus Question: How do plants use water?
 

Students will collect the water captured in their plastic bag. This will provide evidence that water, in the form of vapor, is escaping from the plant, most likely through the stomata. Students will learn about the process of transpiration and turn their attention to how water is used in a plant to make food during photosynthesis. They will be introduced to the levels of complexity in a multicellular organism. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

- study guide and journal check (AFLs)- group A: 2/7 and group B: 2/6
- assessment (AOL)- group A: 2/11 and group B: 2/8
- field trip to the MSI- see attachment

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 19: 1/21- 1/25
 

I will be out of the building twice out of the four days next week, however students will continue science work with the assigned substitute. Students will partner read a few chapters out of the Life Science textbooks and respond to questions. And students will watch a video on biodiversity and respond to those questions. We will resume our investigation on plants' vascular system the week of January 28.

IMPORTANT DATES:

- NO SCHOOL on MLK, Jr Day- 1/21

- assessment (AFL)- group A: 1/23 and group B: 1/24
- study guide and journal check (AFLs)- group A: 2/7 and group B: 2/6
- assessment (AOL)- group A: 2/11 and group B: 2/8
- field trip to the MSI- see attachment

Due:

Assignment

WEEK 18: 1/14- 1/18
Focus Question: What happened to the water? 
 
Students will help design an investigation to find out what happens to the water when a stalk of celery sits in a vial of water over time. They will observe the results and consider where the water might have gone. 
 
IMPORTANT DATES:
- assessment (AFL)- group A: 1/23 and group B: 1/24
- study guide and journal check (AFLs)- group A: 2/7 and group B: 2/6
- assessment (AOL)- group A: 2/11 and group B: 2/8
- field trip to the MSI- see attachment
 

Due:

Assignment

Week 17: 1/7- 1/11
 
7th grade Diversity of Life 
 
Students will begin the week with a study guide to refresh their memory on the lessons learned in investigation 4, and then take the assessment on Wednesday and Thursday (depending on the block schedule). 
 
Group B will start the new investigation on Plants on Friday. 
 
Focus Question: What happened to the water? 
 
Students will help design an investigation to find out what happens to the water when a stalk of celery sits in a vial of water overnight. They will observe the results and consider where the water might have gone. 
 

IMPORTANT DATES:

7th grade assessment (AFL)- group A: 12/17 and group B: 12/14

7th grade presentation (AOL)- group A: 12/21 and group B: 12/20

7th grade study guide (AFL) and journal check (AFL)- group A: 1/8 and group B: 1/7

7th grade assessment (AOL)- group A: 1/10 and group B: 1/9

7th grade assessment (AFL)- group A: 1/23 and group B: 1/24

7th grade study guide (AFL) and journal check (AFL)- group A: 2/7 and group B: 2/6

7th grade assessment (AOL)- group A: 2/11 and group B: 2/8

7th grade field trip to the MSI- see attachment