Published by Wappingers Central School District, Wappingers Falls, NY, April 2001

Science Outcomes
Grade 7 (Life Science)

Abilities Outcomes[Apply the following to each content outcome.]
1. Develop abilities in science.
A.Higher thinking (analyze, evaluate, classify, predict, estimate, generalize, solve, decide, relate,
interpret, simplify).
B.Communications (present, demonstrate, persuade, collaborate, explain, defend, recommend).
C.Goal setting/attainment (brainstorm, envision, research, plan, organize, persist).
D.The quality process (plan, draft, analyze, and revise when producing products).

2. Be able to apply science knowledge and skills to a variety of purposes.
A.Be able to solve problems using the scientific method. (research, hypothesis, experimentation,
findings, conclusion).
B.Be able to conduct research. (field research, library research, experimentation).
C.Be able to use scientific equipment safely, appropriately, accurately. (balance, glassware, dissecting
tools, graduated cylinder, metric ruler, microscope, thermometer)
D.Apply knowledge of the relationship between humans, the environment, and the earth's resources
(pollution, conservation) to improve the environment.
E.Possess technical skills.
-read/write/present: instructions, table, graph, reports (progress, research, lab), proposal, letters
(complaint, request, response), manual, checklist, pamphlet, technical research, technical analysis,
summary, map
-technology: word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, Internet, search tools, AV
production

Content Outcomes
1. Understand the needs of living things.
A.Recognize the needs of living things (energy, food, water, oxygen, living space, and proper
temperature).
B.List the characteristics that separate living and nonliving things.
C.Describe the relationship between the chemical components of life and life functions
(photosynthesis, respiration, homeostasis, and metabolism).
D.Explain the relationship between organisms and the sun as the initial source ofall energy.

2. Understand that the cell is the basic unit of life.
A.Define and explain the cell theory.
B.Diagram and describe the major organelles of plant and animal cells and their functions.
C.Distinguish between unicellular and multicellular organisms.
D.Describe the processes of active and passive transport.

3. Understand reproduction and development.
A.Distinguish between mitosis and meiosis.
B.Compare and contrast sexual and asexual reproduction and give examples of each.
C.Outline the stages of development from egg to adult in mammals and in insects.

4. Understand the basics of genetic inheritance.
A.Describe the relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes.
B.Define the basic laws of Mendelian inheritance.
C.Solve basic genetic word problems using Punnett Squares.

5. Be able to classify and Identity living organisms using their characteristics.
A.List the seven levels of the classification system.
B.Identify characteristics of the five major kingdoms.
C.Define variation, competition, and extinction as they relate to Darwin's Theory.

6. Understand the relationship between living thing and their environment.
A.Define and construct the parts of a food chain and of a food web.
B.Explain the flow of energy through an energy pyramid.
C.Distinguish between different symbiotic relationships.
D.Describe hibernation, migration, adaptation, and dormancy.
E.Explain habitat, niche, ecosystem, community, population, and succession.
F.Assess human influence on the environment.
G.Demonstrate personal responsibility for positive and negative impacts on the environment.

7. Understand the major human body systems.
A.Identify and describe the relationships between cells, tissues, organs, systems, and organisms.
B.Describe the parts, functions, and interrelationships of the systems of the human body.
C.Apply nutritional information to food choices and healthy living.