JCPS 7th Grade Science Curriculum Map

The JCPS Science Curriculum Maps and Instructional Resources (linked on maps) are congruent to the appropriate KY Core Academic Standards for
each K-12 grade level or course. All pedagogical support reflects the importance of students learning as scientists where they investigate, write,
discuss and read about each topic.
ANNOTATED GUIDE TO THE CURRICULUM MAP:

CONNECTIONS TO THE KY FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING

The Middle School Science Curriculum Maps support teachers in planning and preparation for instruction. The various components of the maps
provide support for teachers in the following areas in the Framework for Teaching:
Domain 1 Planning and Preparation: Components A, C, D, E, F
Domain 3 Instruction: Components A i, Ci, iii, iv, and D I, ii
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JCPS 7th Grade Science Curriculum Map

Assessment Cycle 1/Unit 1
Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS): MS-LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
1) Cell: Basic Unit of Life

Assessment 1 Key Focus Topics:

2) Structure and Function 3) Growth and Development

NGSS Dimension 1: Science and Engineering Practices

Recognizing that each of the eight science practices play an important role in every instructional cycle, special emphasis is placed on the following practice(s)
for this standard: Developing and Using Models, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, and Engaging
in Argument from Evidence.
NGSS Dimension 2: Crosscutting Concepts
During this instructional cycle special emphasis will be placed upon making explicit connections between the content and the following crosscutting
concept(s): Cause and Effect, Scale Proportion and Quantity, Systems and System Models, Energy and Matter, Structure and Function.

The previous Diversity of Life unit has been extensively revised to more tightly align to NGSS. JCPS has just
ordered the new FOSS 2nd edition NGSS aligned Diversity of Life Teacher Tool Kit (Teacher guide, 1 student
reader with access to additional FOSSweb resources). These new teacher guides will only be distributed to
those who attend the district based PD sessions scheduled for August (see PD central). A minimum of one 7th
grade teacher from each school must attend. This teacher can then deliver school based PD for those who
couldnt attend. Details for getting teachers guides via school based PD will be shared at the district PD.
Unit 1: Diversity of Life
Click here to access the From Cells to Organisms NGSS Planning Guide
Click here to access the From Cells to Organisms Student Notebook
Click here to access From Cells to Organisms Critter Care
Click here to access the From Cells to Organisms Instructional Resources

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JCPS 7th Grade Science Curriculum Map

NGSS Life Science Disciplinary Core Ideas
(Chap.6)

Suggested Unit Learning

Targets

Suggested
Pacing

LS1.A: Grade-band endpoint

I can describe the
Unicellular organisms (microorganisms), like
characteristics that are
multicellular organisms, need food, water, a
common in all
way to dispose of waste, and an environment in
organisms.
which they can live. (MS-LS1)
Pulled from pg. 144 of framework

LS1.A:
All living things are made up of cells, which is
the smallest unit that can be said to be alive.
An organism may consist of one single cell
(unicellular) or many different numbers and
types of cells (multicellular). (MS-LS1-1)

Within cells, special structures are responsible

for particular functions, and the cell membrane
forms the boundary that controls what enters
and leaves the cell. (MS-LS1-2)

LS1.A.
In multicellular organisms, the body is a system
of multiple interacting subsystems. These
subsystems are groups of cells that work

I can draw scale

representations of
images seen in a
microscope.
I can describe what
microscopic structures
make up organisms.
I can compare and
contrast single celled
organisms and
multicellular
organisms.

Investigation 1- What is Life

(Includes 3 Days
of Nuts and
Bolts)
Critter Delivery
Date:
8/26
(Elodea,
Paramecium,
Euglena, and
Spirogyra)

Investigation 2- The Microscope

~ 4 days

~ 8 days

I can describe the

levels of complexity

~ 9 days

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~ 8 days

Instructional Resources/Teacher Notes

Investigation 3- The Cell

In Investigation 3.1 students have the
opportunity to observe an additional plant
spirogyra. See Instructional Resources
for how to add this observation.
In Investigation 3.2 students have the
opportunity to observe an additional protist
euglena. See Instructional Resources for
how to add this observation.
Replace 3.4 Human Cheek Tissue with new
Investigation found in instructional
resources.
Investigation 4- Domains
OMIT
Investigation 5- Plants: The Vascular System
NOTE: Photosynthesis/cellular respiration
(LS1.C & PS3.D) are introduced in this

JCPS 7th Grade Science Curriculum Map

together to form tissues and organs that are
specialized for particular body functions. (MSLS1-3)

(subsystems) in a
multicellular organism.
I can explain the
function and
LS1.C
interactions of
Plants, algae (including phytoplankton) and
subsystems within a
many microorganisms use the energy from light
multicellular organism.
to make sugars (food) from carbon dioxide from

I can explain how

the atmosphere and water through the process
water and light are
of photosynthesis, which also releases oxygen.
used by plants.
These sugars can be used immediately or stored
for growth or later use. (MS-LS1-6)
Within individual organisms, food moves
through a series of chemical reactions in which
it is broken down and rearranged to form new
molecules, to support growth, or to release
energy. (MS-LS1-7)

PS3.D
The chemical reaction by which plants produce
complex food molecules (sugar) requires an
energy input (i.e., from sunlight) to occur. In
this reaction, carbon dioxide and water
combine to form carbon-based organic
molecules and release oxygen. (MS-LS1-6)
Cellular respiration in plants and animals
involve chemical reactions with oxygen that
release stored energy. In these processes,
complex molecules containing carbon react
with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and
other materials. (MS-LS1-7)

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investigation but not mastered. Students

will cycle back in Populations and
Ecosystems and be assessed then.

JCPS 7th Grade Science Curriculum Map

I can explain how
environmental and
genetic factors affect
the growth of plants.
Plants reproduce in a variety of ways,
I can explain how
sometimes depending on animal behavior and
plants reproduce.
specialized features for reproduction. (MS-LS1
I can explain what
4)
adaptations plants
have to accomplish
Genetic factors as well as local conditions affect
pollination.
the growth of the adult plant. (MS-LS1-5)
LS1.B
Animals engage in characteristic behaviors that
increase the odds of reproduction. (MS-LS1-4)

~ 7 days

LS1.A: Grade-band endpoint

I can describe the
Unicellular organisms (microorganisms), like
characteristics that are
multicellular organisms, need food, water, a
common in all
way to dispose of waste, and an environment in
organisms.
which they can live. (MS-LS1)

~ 2 days

Investigation 6- Plant Reproduction and Growth

Skip 6.1 Lima Bean Dissection
NOTE: The focus is not on learning the
process of sexual reproduction in plants but
on the purpose of the flower so that
students can then examine pollinator
attracting characteristics of a flower in part
4.
NOTE: The sexual reproduction
performance expectation (MS-LS3-2) sits in
8th grade.
Investigation 7- Insects
OMIT
Investigation 8- Diversity of Life
Skip 8.1 Bioblitz
Skip 8.2 What is Life
Replace with new Investigation 8 found in
instructional resources.

Pulled from pg. 144 of framework

NGSS Performance Expectations
MS-LS1-1: Conduct and investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.
MS-LS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.
MS-LS1-3: Use argument supported by evidence of how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
MS-LS1-4: Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and
specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.
MS-LS1-5: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
Assessment 1 Key Focus Topics:
Cell: Basic Unit of Life
Science Proficiency 1
Download SPA 1 from CASCADE window opens 10/9
Structure and Function
Growth and Development

Cycles 2-3 Coming Soon!

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JCPS 7th Grade Science Curriculum Map

August 2015

Cycle 1: Diversity of Life

~ August 2015 ~

Jul 2015

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

10

11

12

13

14

15

First Day of School

Nuts and Bolts

Nuts and Bolts

16

23

17

18

19

20

21

Inv. 1 What is Life

Inv. 1 What is Life

Inv. 1 What is Life

Inv. 1 What is Life

Inv. 1 What is Life

24

25

26

27

28

22

29

Inv. 2 The Microscope Inv. 2 The Microscope Inv. 2 The Microscope Inv. 2 The Microscope Inv. 3 The Cell

30

31

Notes:

Inv. 3 The Cell

Critter Delivery: Aug 26th (Elodea, Paramecium, Euglena, and Spirogyra)

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JCPS 7th Grade Science Curriculum Map

September 2015

Cycle 1: Diversity of Life

~ September 2015 ~

Aug 2015

Sun

13

20

27

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Inv. 3 The Cell

Inv. 3 The Cell

Inv. 3 The Cell

Inv. 3 The Cell

10

11

Inv. 3 The Cell

Inv. 3 The Cell

Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

14

15

16

17

18

Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

I Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

21

22

23

24

25

Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

Inv. 5 Plants: The

Vascular System

Inv. 6 Plant
Reproduction and
Growth

Inv. 6 Plant
Reproduction and
Growth

Inv. 6 Plant
Reproduction and
Growth

28

29

30

Notes:

Inv. 6 Plant
Reproduction and
Growth

Inv. 6 Plant
Reproduction and
Growth

Inv. 6 Plant
Reproduction and
Growth

NO SCHOOL

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Sat

12

19

26

JCPS 7th Grade Science Curriculum Map

October 2015

Cycle 1: Diversity of Life/ Cycle 2: Pop and Eco

~ October 2015 ~

Sun

11

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Inv. 6 Plant
Reproduction and
Growth

NO
SCHOOL

NO
SCHOOL

NO
SCHOOL

Inv. 8: Diversity of
Life

Inv. 8: Diversity of
Life

Inv. 8: Diversity of
Life

12

13

14

15

16

Sat

10

17

Inv. 1 Milkweed Bugs Inv. 1 Milkweed Bugs Inv. 1 Milkweed Bugs Inv. 2 Sorting out Life Inv. 2 Sorting out Life

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Inv. 2 Sorting out Life Inv. 3 Miniecosystems Inv. 3 Miniecosystems Inv. 3 Miniecosystems Inv. 4 Mono Lake

25

26

27

28

29

30

Inv. 4 Mono Lake

Inv. 4 Mono Lake

Inv. 5 Finding the

Energy

Inv. 5 Finding the

Energy

Inv. 5 Finding the

Energy

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