5th grade 2nd 6 Weeks Lesson Plans

The Study of Energy (14 days) This lesson addresses the interactions of energy and
matter in order to understand energy transformations. This varied look at energy will set
the groundwork for energy as it relates to natural resources. Natural Resources (11 days)
This lesson focuses on the natural resources: renewable, nonrenewable, and
inexhaustible. Students will learn that past events and processes are responsible for the
formation of these resources. Constancy and change allow these resources to occur.

6th Grade 2nd 6 Weeks Lesson Plans

Exemplar Lesson 01: Energy Causes Change (6 days) Students will develop a clear
understanding and be able to define the concept of energy. Students will also be able to
define energy by noting that energy causes change in matter through an exploration of the
different forms of energy and the changes they create. Students will enhance their
understanding of systems through the development of understanding energy systems
Exemplar Lesson 02: Energy Transformation: Non-Living Systems (4 days)
Students will observe and explain energy transformations used for human use by
identifying the forms of energy before and after transformations. Exemplar Lesson 03:
Sources for Energy (3 days) In this lesson, students will be able to connect prior learning
related to energy, energy transformations, and energy devices used by humans to the
sources of energy (renewable, nonrenewable, inexhaustible). Exemplar Lesson 01: Food
Chains and Food Webs (6 days) In this lesson, students will study energy flow in food
chains and food webs. Students will create food webs and track the flow of energy as it
travels from one trophic level to another. Exemplar Lesson 02: Decay of Biomass
(Composting) (5 days) In this lesson, students will construct a compost column and
observe the interaction between matter and energy in the decay of biomass. Students will
create an illustration of the flow of energy in the water cycle.

7th Grade 2nd 6 Weeks Lesson Plans

Exemplar Lesson 01: Feeling Bad Can Sometimes Be Good (6 days)
Students will explore why people vomit and develop a fever. Students will understand
that vomiting and fevers occur in response to internal stimuli. Homeostasis depends on
the ability of the body to respond to stimuli. Exemplar Lesson 02: Reacting to the
Environment to Maintain Homeostasis (5 days) Students will understand that for every
change in the environment, living organisms will react to maintain homeostasis (balance
in the organism). Adaptations help organisms to survive in extreme environments and to
maintain homeostasis. Exemplar Lesson 01: Asexual and Sexual Reproduction (5 days)
Students will observe and compare the traits of plants produced by both sexual and
asexual reproductive methods. They will also look at the advantages and disadvantages of
each type of reproduction. Exemplar Lesson 02: Comparing Animal and Plant Traits (5
days) Students will understand how the traits of both plants and animals help them to
adapt and survive in their environment. Exemplar Lesson 03: Dominant or Recessive (4
days) Students will search for traits among their peers and differentiate between dominant
and recessive traits. Students will also demonstrate an understanding that physical traits
come from genes passed from parents to offspring.