Year: 2010-2011 Grade: 7 Subject: Life Science
Teacher: Dr. Nitzan Resnick
The goals for the current year are:
1) To introduce the students to the foundations of life science and their integration with a variety of disciplines such as math, engineering, technology, physics and chemistry.
2) To expose the students to inventions and innovations in the areas of life science, bioengineering and medical sciences through the interaction with scientists and through the reading of scientific articles from newspapers and magazines.
3) To provide the students with the skills of the scientific inquiry so by mid year they are able to ask their own questions, design their own labs, collect and analyze their data and report it.
4) To familiarize the student with methods of data analysis.
5) To familiarize the students with methods to communicate their research projects (written reports, PowerPoint presentations, oral presentations).
6) To encourage and teach collaborative learning.
*Below is a list of content areas and skills that would be covered throughout the year. Students would be exposed to many labs and research projects.
*The book that we are using is provided to the students in 3 forms:
1) Hardcopy 2) CD 3) Online access. The students SHOULD NOT carry the books with them to school!
MONTH | CONTENT | SKILLS | ASSESSMENT | ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS |
SEPTEMBER | What is a scientific method? Intro. To Life Sci.(Including the characteristics of living organisms and the chemistry of life/biochemistry) Cells | Continue with improving formal deductive reasoning skills; lab skills; lab reporting; simultaneous understanding of specific topic and how it fits in to the “overall view” | Participation in class discussions; homework, reading assignments, online quizzesLab ExercisesGroup Work/research project | How do we tackle a scientific problem?What is a theory?What is LS? How can we build a huge variety of molecules from a limited number of building blocks? Criteria for living organisms Are there general principals in life science? What are cells Are cells built like a city?The evolution of cells. |
OCTOBER | Cells and organelles Basic processes in cells Stem cells Cancer | PPT presentations Oral Presentation Collecting information online and screening the collected information Compare/contrast Collaborative research | Continue with optional “study guide” - what information is important to have & how can it be manipulated to answer the questions Research Project Debate | What processes need to happen in a cell?How a structure of an organelle fits its function?How do cell divide – basic concepts?The similarities and differences between meiosis and mitosis?Why do cells evolve into becoming multicellulars? Similarities between cancer and stem cells?Can we stop cancer from spreading? |
November/ January | Genetics and Heredity (Ch. 5-6) The flow of information. Hereditary diseases CloningAnd genetics engineering. The use of genetics in everyday life (guest speakers and debate) | Integrating math and science (probability) Integrating biology computer sciences (modeling of DNA and sequencing ) biology and engineering (genetic engineering) Data analysis in the lab Presentation and debate on various topics in genetics, including genetic diseases, genetic engineering and cloning. | We will be watching the movie GATTACAStudents will have Journal entries Debate Presentations Designing a lab and writing a lab report | How does DNA work?How do genes carry all that information?Is knowledge is good? Debate about the sequencing of the human genome.The pros and cons of modern genetics – how we use it and sometimes abuse it. |
February - April | The human body:Tissue, organs and systems. The skeletal and muscular system The cardiovascular system andRespiration Digestive/Urinary | Definition of a system Analysis of anatomical maps Follow a webquest Understand the weigh of genetics, environment and personal choices in human diseases Independent labs | Students will learn to inquire and then design their own experiments , collect data, analyze it and report it. Basic graphing skills Communicating your results Webquests | So complex yet so simple – how does our body function? How does structure fits perfectly with function? How do organ systems interact?How do we control and balance all our systems? When engineering, life science and medicine talk – new advances in cardiovascular therapies. Obesity- is it genetic? |
May | Nervous System Reproduction/Development Disease/Defense | Design a group study on the function of the brain (data collection, analysis and statistics) | Research project Debate | What is addiction? Is it genetic? Our brain – the multiple layer of the senses. Can we teach or trick our brain? Why do we have diseases?When does our body fail to defend us?New inventions in drugs. |
JUNE | Evolution | Students will read chapters from Richard Dawkins’ book. Students will present in class some debatable issues around evolution | Critical reading Pausing questions and debating | Do we come from apes?How did giraffes get long necks?How old is the Earth’s first human? Who’s my ancestor? |
Book:
Holt – Life Science and technology 2007/8 Edition – Book+CD.
Do not bring the books to school they are too heavy. We have enough copies in the lab!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How to use the online book?1) Go to the website http://my.hrw.com
2) Type in your assigned username and password
3) I have your information, so if you loose it please come to see me.
4) Good Luck!