Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Anatomy/Physiology

The student will investigate the structure of living things with emphasis on the human body. The student identify and describe the organ systems of the human body as well as how the organ system interact with one another to keep the human body alive.

(9)  Science concepts. The student knows the relationship between structure and function in living systems. The student is expected to:

(A)  identify the systems of the human organism and describe their functions

+ 8^th Grade TEK (Functions and interactions of organs and organ systems are inseparable. To separate them would make little sense.)

(6)  Science concepts. The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems. The student is expected to:

(A)  describe interactions among systems in the human organism

Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Homeostasis in Living Systems

The student will investigate how the body reacts and responds to its environment in order to stay alive. The student will compare how the human body maintains stable living conditions both internally and externally. The student will also investigate how other organisms such as plants react and respond to their environment.

(6)  Science concepts. The student knows that there is a relationship between force and motion. The student is expected to:

(C)¹  relate forces to basic processes in living organisms including the flow of blood

(C)²  and the emergence of seedlings.

                (light and gravity)

+8^th Grade TEK:

(6)  Science concepts. The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems. The student is expected to:

(B)¹  identify feedback mechanisms that maintain equilibrium of systems such as body temperature

(Anatomy/Physiology = Function of Skin)

(9)  Science concepts. The student knows the relationship between structure and function in living systems. The student is expected to:

 (B)  describe how organisms maintain stable internal conditions while living in changing external environments.

(11)  Science concepts. The student knows that the responses of organisms are caused by internal or external stimuli. The student is expected to:

(A)  analyze changes in organisms such as a fever or vomiting that may result from internal stimuli; and

(B)  identify responses in organisms to external stimuli found in the environment such as the presence or absence of light.                                  (Same as 6.12 (B))

Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Ecology/Environmental Systems

The student will investigate how populations of organisms interact in order to survive. The student will learn the parts of an ecosystem and roles of organisms within an ecosystem. The student will describe the interactions of organisms within an ecosystem and how changes in one role effects the others. The student will also investigate how environments respond to and attempt to restore balance after disruptions through human interference and the limits to an ecosystem maintaining balance.

(5)  Science concepts. The student knows that an equilibrium of a system may change. The student is expected to:

(B)  observe and describe the role of ecological succession in maintaining an equilibrium in an ecosystem.

(8)  Science concepts. The student knows that complex interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to:

(B)  identify that radiant energy from the Sun is transferred into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.

(12)  Science concepts. The student knows that there is a relationship between organisms and the environment. The student is expected to:

(A)  identify components of an ecosystem; (Habitat, Niche)

(Predator/Prey        Cycle)

(B)  observe and describe how organisms including producers, consumers, and decomposers live together in an environment and use existing resources;  

(C)¹  describe how different environments support different varieties of organisms; and

(D)  observe and describe the role of ecological succession in ecosystems. (Same as 7.5 (B))

Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Genetics/Evolution

The student will describe and relate adaptations to traits and survival of a species. The student will investigate how traits are controlled by genes and how the way an organism reproduces can effect survival through natural selection. The student will also compare how human interference and natural disasters such as comet strikes can effect the survival of a species.

(10)  Science concepts. The student knows that species can change through generations and that the instructions for traits are contained in the genetic material of the organisms. The student is expected to:

(A)  identify that sexual reproduction results in more diverse offspring and asexual reproduction results in more uniform offspring;

(B)  compare traits of organisms of different species that enhance their survival and reproduction; and   (Natural selection)

(C)  distinguish between dominant and recessive traits and recognize that inherited traits of an individual are contained in genetic material.

(Mechanism of inheritance of dominant

  and recessive traits is displayed using Punnet

  squares)

(12)  Science concepts. The student knows that there is a relationship between organisms and the environment. The student is expected to:

(C)  describe how different environments support different varieties of organisms; and

(14)  Science concepts. The student knows that natural events and human activity can alter Earth systems. The student is expected to:

(A)¹  describe and predict the impact of different catastrophic events on the Earth  (Extinction)

Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Earth Systems

Sub Unit 1:

The student will investigate the relationship between the Sun's energy and the Earth and how it controls the season's and the type of ecosystems that exist on Earth. The student will also investigate how humans can harness and use the sun's energy and also compare its use to other forms of energy used by humans.

Sub Unit 2:

The student will investigate how interactions with the Sun's energy combined with the interactions with the water cycle effects the shape of the land through weathering and erosion. The student will also compare how catastrophic events can quickly alter the shape of the land.

(8)  Science concepts. The student knows that complex interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to:

(A)  illustrate examples of potential and kinetic energy in everyday life such as…falling water

(13)  Science concepts. The student knows components of our solar system. The student is expected to:

(A)  identify and illustrate how the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it rotates and revolves around the Sun causes changes in seasons and the length of a day; (Same as 6.a (2))

(14)  Science concepts. The student knows that natural events and human activity can alter Earth systems. The student is expected to:

(A)²  describe and predict the impact of different catastrophic events on the Earth;

(B)  analyze effects of regional erosional deposition and weathering; and

(C)  make inferences and draw conclusions about effects of human activity on Earth's renewable, non-renewable, and inexhaustible resources.

Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Plate Tectonics

Sub Unit 1:

Students will investigate how internal energy of the Earth effects the shape of the Earth's crust. Students will describe how the Earths crust is divided into plates and how the internal energy of the Earth moves the plates. Students will investigate how the energy of the movement at plate boundaries creates seismic wave and earthquakes. 

Sub Unit 2:

Students will investigate how the internal energy of the Earth moves the plates and deforms the crust into mountains, plateaus, and volcanoes. The student will relate the energy of the movement to the eruptions of volcanoes.

(5)  Science concepts. The student knows that an equilibrium of a system may change. The student is expected to:

(A)  describe how systems may reach an equilibrium such as when a volcano erupts (Same as 6.6(C))

(8)  Science concepts. The student knows that complex interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to:

(A)²  illustrate examples of potential and kinetic energy in everyday life such as…movement of geologic faults

                  (Earthquakes)

Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Energy

The student will differentiate and distinguish the different types of energy focusing on kinetic and potential energy. Students will describe common types of energy transformation including photosynthesis.

(8)  Science concepts. The student knows that complex interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to:

(A)³  illustrate examples of potential and kinetic energy in everyday life such as objects at rest…

(B)²  identify that radiant energy from the Sun is transferred into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.

Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Motion

Students will investigate how to measure energy changes with an emphasis on motion. Students identify basic forces and relate the application of force to the motion of an object. Students will investigate the basic simple machines and how the utilize the principles of force and motion to change the force and motion of an object.

(4)  Scientific processes. The student knows how to use tools and methods to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:

(B)  collect and analyze information to recognize patterns such as rates of change.

(6)  Science concepts. The student knows that there is a relationship between force and motion. The student is expected to:

(A)  demonstrate basic relationships between force and motion using simple machines including pulleys and levers;

(Simple machines, relationship between force, direction, and distance)

(B)  demonstrate that an object will remain at rest or move at a constant speed and in a straight line if it is not being subjected to an unbalanced force

Content Area

7^th Grade TEKS

Matter/Energy Relationships

Students will identify basic physical properties and chemical properties of substances. Students will relate changes in physical or chemical properties to physical or chemical changes. Students will relate how the physical properties of elements relate to the structure of the atom and how its structure determines it position on the periodic table. Students will relate chemical changes to chemical reactions between elements in the formation of compounds and how the periodic table can be used to predict types of chemical reactions.

(7)  Science concepts. The student knows that substances have physical and chemical properties. The student is expected to:

(A)  identify and demonstrate everyday examples of chemical phenomena such as rusting and tarnishing of metals and burning of wood;

(B)  describe physical properties of elements and identify how they are used to position an element on the periodic table; and

   (Electron Configuration/Energy Levels)

(C)  recognize that compounds are composed of elements.