Vista Verde Middle School

I.B Science Course outline

7^th Grade

I.      Course Description

This is an advanced science class. It utilizes inquiry based learning, focusing on geology and ecology. Labs and hands-on activities are used to enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills and will be the focus for this year. The effects of science on the rest of the world will be explored.

Internationalism

Science is ever-present influences on the world will be studied throughout the year. Nature has shaped world history and society, and these effects will be explored. Scientists of varied nationalities and backgrounds will be covered.

Aims and Objections

Knowledge

-       Know the scientific method

-       Apply scientific method in solving real world problems

     Concepts

-       Inquiry Process

Scientific Method

Experimental Design

Data Display

-       Lab Safety and Procedures

-       Ecology

Populations in Ecosystems

Social Perspectives

Food and Energy Webs

Dissection

-       Earth’s Processes and Systems

Geologic Time

Minerals

Rocks

Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes

Volcanoes

-       Earth in the Solar System

Eclipses

Seasons

Moon Phases

Moon and Tides

Constellations

Objects in Solar System

        History and Nature of Science

-       Understand use of lab equipment

-       Use Scientific Inquiry to design experiments

                 Organization and Presentation

-       Procedures and safety rules will be addressed and reinforced all year

-       Topics are presented using varied techniques. Labs, power points, lectures, independent and group projects, and demonstrations are some of the                      techniques that will be utilized.

II.     Topics

The interaction of man and his environment

Nature’s system of recycling.

   

  III       Teaching and Assessment including Criterion

               Criterion A: one world

                The understanding of the interdependency of science and society. Students will discuss how real world problems are solved using the different disciplines of science

                Criterion B: communication in science

                Understanding scientific terminology. Students will demonstrate an understanding of scientific terms and use the appropriate scientific language.

                Criterion C: knowledge and understanding of science

                Understand the main scientific ideas and concepts of science. Students will develop critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate scientific information.

                Criterion D: scientific method

Design and perform independent scientific investigations. Students will apply the scientific method to develop their own experiments.

               Criterion E: processing data

                Organization and processing of data. Students will organize data in a diagrammatic form.

              Criterion F: attitudes in science

                Safety, respect, and collaboration. Students will be encouraged to display proper attitudes and behaviors in a laboratory situation.

        

        Areas of Interaction    

-       Environment: This stresses the importance of conservation and maintaining the natural world. Students will explore the cycles in nature and discuss the lesson humans can learn from this.

-       Human Ingenuity: This studies the creative, inventive nature of mankind. The students will study some of the scientists that have shaped modern science and the tools that are used to make modern discoveries.

-       Health and Social Education: Respect for the body and mind is emphasized in science. Students will study some of the affects that the world at large has on them, and how to live a healthier life.

-       Approaches to learning: The students will learn in varied ways, both co-operative and individual. Labs, papers, and projects are all utilized during the course.

-       Community Services: Students will be encouraged to look at the world outside the classroom and act responsibly. Causes that are connected to the disciplines of science will be explored

IV.     Homework

             Students will normally be given time to begin assignments in class, and if the          time is used wisely, often will finish it during class. Any work not completed          will be homework.

There will be several large assignments during the course of the year. These projects will range from research papers, group projects, and designing and conducting experiments.

IV.     Resources

McDougal Littell Science Books:

                                Space Science

                                Changing Earth

                                Earth’s Surface

Ecology

                                Life Over Time

Sepup Lab-aids: Issues & Earth Science; Rocks, Minerals, and Soils

                                                 Earth and Solar System