7th Grade Science Guide

Science Grade 7

AT A GLANCE SUMMARY

Unit

Pacing

Summary

Big Ideas

Unit 1 Force & Motion

6 Weeks

Students investigate how forces affect the motion of objects and develop a conceptual understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion. They explore how mass and force influence acceleration, how action-reaction forces occur during interactions. Students also collect and analyze data to determine factors that affect the strength of these forces and apply their understanding to engineering design challenges. Students investigate how gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces operate. Students also collect and analyze data to determine factors that affect the strength of these forces and apply their understanding to engineering design challenges. Students examine how energy and matter cycle through Earth's systems. They investigate the rock cycle, plate tectonics, geologic hazards, Earth's internal structure, and evidence from fossils and rock layers. Students learn how slow processes such as mountain building and rapid events such as earthquakes and landslides shape Earth's surface and history. Students investigate cells as the fundamental unit of life and learn how cell structures contribute to cell functions. They explore how cells form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs work together within organ systems to support survival. Students develop models and explanations that show how life functions through interconnected systems. Students investigate how sexual and asexual reproduction affect genetic variation. They examine how inherited traits influence survival and

​Motion changes when forces act on objects. ​The effects of forces depend on mass and the total force applied.

Unit 2 Field Forces, Gravity, Electricity, Magnetism

4 Weeks

​Forces can occur through contact or through fields at a distance. ​Gravitational, electric, and magnetic interactions help explain many natural phenomena ​Energy flow and matter cycling drive changes within Earth systems. ​The rock cycle continuously transforms Earth's materials. ​Plate tectonics explains earthquakes, volcanoes, and many surface features. ​Fossils and rock layers provide evidence of Earth's long history. ​Engineering can help reduce the impacts of geologic hazards. ​All living things are composed of cells. ​Cell structures work together to perform necessary life functions. ​Organisms may be single-celled or multicellular. ​Cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems are organized into increasingly complex levels of structure.

Unit 3 Changes to Earth

8 Weeks

Unit 4 Structure & Function of Life

6 Weeks

Unit 5 Reproduction & Inheritance

6 Weeks

​Genetic information is passed from parents to offspring.