SCI 7th

Middle School
Life Science
Curriculum Essentials
Document
Boulder Valley School District
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
May 2009

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MiddleSchoolLifeScienceCurriculumEssentialsMay2009 2

BoulderValleySchoolDistrictMiddleSchoolLifeScienceCurriculumEssentialsDocument
DistrictA
HelayneJones,Ed.D.
helayne.jones@bvsd.org
voicemail:303.245.5815
fax:303.545.6477
DistrictBVicePresident
LesleySmith,Ph.D.
lesley.smith@bvsd.org
DistrictC
LaurieAlbright,Ed.D.
laurie.albright@bvsd.org
DistrictDPresident
KenRoberge
ken.roberge@bvsd.org
DistrictE
PattiJ.Smith
patti.smith@bvsd.org
DistrictF
JeanPaxton
jean.paxton@bvsd.org
fax:303.438.8572
DistrictGTreasurer
JimReed
jim.reed@bvsd.org
BVSDSuperintendent
ChristopherKing,Ph.D.
superintendent@bvsd.org
phone:303.447.5114
fax:303.447.5134

BoulderValleySchoolDistrict
BoardofEducation
.

TableofContents
GeneralIntroduction
WhatisaCurriculumEssentialsDocument?..................................................Page5
CurriculumFramework:MacroandMicro.....................................................Page6
NewCenturyGraduate..............................................................................Pages78
WhatareEnduringUnderstandingsandEssentialQuestions?.......................Page9
TeachingforUnderstanding..........................................................................Page10
WhatDoesitMeantoUnderstand?.............................................................Page11
InstructionalFramework...............................................................................Page14
CharacteristicsofaStandardsbasedCurriculum..................................Pages1516
MiddleSchoolScienceEssentialLearnings..Pages1719
DesignTemplates...................................................................................Pages2030
CurriculumGlossary.................................................................................Page3133
MiddleSchoolLifeScienceCurriculumEssentials
ScienceBackground........................................................................................Page2
ScienceContentStandards.............................................................................Page3
ScienceEnduringUnderstandingsandEssentialQuestions............................Page4
MiddleSchoolLifeScienceEssentialLearnings.........................................Pages56
MiddleSchoolLifeScienceCourseOverview.................................................Page7
MiddleSchoolLifeScienceCurriculumEssentials...................................Pages822
SuggestedTimelines.....Page23
ScienceScopeandSequence....Pages2425
ScienceGlossaryofTerms......Pages2638
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General
Introduction
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Becausewearefacedwithmorecontentthanwecanreasonablyaddress,weareobligatedto
makechoicesandframepriorities.Ausefulframeworkforestablishingprioritiesisgraphically
depicted using 4 nested ovals. The innermost oval, New Century Graduate, represents the
goalsofschoolingthathavebeenidentifiedbytheBoulderValleySchoolDistrictcommunity.
Movingtothenextoval,ContentStandards,levelsofperformanceforeachprogramofstudy
areclearly articulated. The third oval, EssentialLearnings,represents the viable curriculum.
Acurriculumisviablewhenthenumberoflearningscanbeaccomplishedinthetimeprovided
(usuallyasemester,trimester,oryear).Thus,anEssentialsDocumentidentifiesthepriorities
forlearningthatarenecessaryforsuccessfullearningataparticulargradelevelorcourseand
beyond.Italsoidentifiestheessentialknowledge,skills,concepts,topics,andprocessesthat
supporttheattainmentoftheessentiallearning.Finally,thelargestovalrepresentsthefield
ofallpossiblecontentthatmightbeexaminedduringagradelevelorcourse.Thisincludes
extendedlearningopportunitiesforstudentswhohaveachievedtheessentiallearningsor
attendingtobackgroundknowledgeandskillsthatstudentsmayneedtorevieworlearnto
ensureachievementofgradelevelorcourseessentiallearnings.
WhatisaCurriculumEssentialsDocument?
HowDoesitRelatetoaGuaranteedandViableCurriculum?

The New Century Graduate identifies the knowledge, skills and personal characteristics that our community has
identifiedasthegoalsofschooling.Programsofstudyandcurricularcontentareidentifiedandaddressedasameans
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CurriculumFramework:MacroandMicroLevels
AdaptedfromGrantWigginsandJayMcTighe(2007).SchoolingbyDesign.Alexandria,VA:AssociationforSupervisionandCurriculum

New Century Graduate
KnowledgeandSkills
LifeCompetencies
Leadsabalancedlife:exhibitsphysicalfitness,knowsgoodnutritionrules,stayssafeanddrugfree,knowshowto
havefunandrelax,managesangerandstress,exhibitsselfsufficiencyandselfconfidence,andfinishestasks.
Understandsmoneymanagement,budgeting,balancingacheckbook,debtmanagement,andrecordkeeping.
Demonstratestimemanagementskillsandabroadbaseofknowledgeinpracticalskillssuchascooking,sewing,
driving,andmapreading.
Knowshowtosearchforajobandknowswheretogotofindanswers.
Communication:SpeakingandWriting
Writesandspeaksthoughtfullyandarticulatelytoinform,toexpressonesthinkingandcreativity,andto
communicatetodiverseaudiences.
Usescorrectgrammar,spelling,andmechanics;organizesforeffectiveness
Usestechnologyforeffectivecommunication
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Multicultural/GlobalPerspective
Understandsglobalcustoms,economics,literature,history,politics,religions,geography,anddemographics.
Understandsthecontributionsofdifferentculturestooursociety
DemonstratesproficiencyinalanguageotherthanEnglish.
Literacy:Reading
Readscritically,fluently,andwithcomprehension.
Readsforinformationresearch,pleasureandknowledgeofliterature.
Mathematics
Demonstratesbasicmathcomputationalskillsandunderstandhigherlevelmathematicalconceptsandreasoning.
Understandsconservationandresourcemanagement.
History
PossessesknowledgeofAmericanandWorldHistoriesandtheirinfluenceuponthepresentandthefuture.
Employsliteratureasatoolforlearningabouthistoryacrosscultures.
Science
Demonstratesbasicsciencesknowledgeandunderstandshighlevelscientificsystemsincluding
environmentalsystems.
Knowshowtoapplythescientificmethodtorealsituations.
Arts
Experiencesandappreciatesmusic,visualarts,danceandtheater.

New Century Graduate
PersonalCharacteristics
RespectforOthers(ValuesOthers)
Understandsandvaluesdifferencesincluding:cultural,religious,
ethnic,gender,age,andability.
InitiativeandCourage
Exhibitsselfmotivation,selfdiscipline,persistence,independence,confidence,curiosity,and
willingnesstotakerisks,withoutbeingafraidtofail.
Citizenship
Understandshisorherroleandresponsibilitiesandcontributestothecommunity,nation,andworld.
Responsibility
Takesresponsibilityforownthoughtsandactions,acceptingthe
consequences.
EthicalBehavior
Exhibitspersonalintegritythroughhonesty,fairness,sincerity,andasenseofjustice.
FlexibilityandOpenMindedness
Demonstratesflexibility,openmindedness,adaptability,resiliency,andopennesstochange.
Selfrespect
Possessesselfrespectandconfidence,whilerecognizingonesownlimitations.

EnduringUnderstandings
arethebigideascentraltoacontentareathathavelastingvaluebeyondtheclassroomand
aretransferabletonewsituations.Enduringunderstandingsdescribewhat,specifically,
studentsshouldunderstandaboutthetopic.Suchunderstandingsaregenerallyabstractin
natureandareoftennotobvious,thusrequiringuncoveringofatopicthroughsustained
inquiry.
Anunderstandingcanbeoverarchingortopical.Overarchingunderstandingsarebroad(as
thenameimplies)andofferapossiblebridgetootherunitsandcourses.Overarching
understandingsatidentifiedatthedistrictlevel.Topicalunderstandingsareunitspecific,
identifiedbyteachersabouttheunderstandingstheunitwillcultivateaboutspecifictopics.
EssentialQuestionsprovokedeepthought,livelydiscussion,sustainedinquiry,andnew
understandingsculminatinginmeaningfulperformances.Theyrequirestudentstoconsider
alternatives,weighevidence,supporttheirideas,andjustifyanswers.Essentialquestionsdo
notyieldasinglestraightforwardanswer,butproducedifferentplausibleresponses,about
whichthoughtfulandknowledgeablepeoplemaydisagree.Essentialquestionsspark
meaningfulconnectionswithpriorlearningsandpersonalexperiencesandcreate
opportunitiesfortransfertoothersituationsandsubjects.
Anessentialquestionscanbeeitheroverarchingortopicalinscope.Overarchingessential
questionsaregeneralinnature,causinggenuineandrelevantinquiryintothebigideasand
corecontent.Theycutacrossunitsand/orcourses.Topicalessentialquestionsfocusona
specifictopicandmeanttobeansweredifonlyprovisionallybyunitsend.
WhatareEnduringUnderstandingsandEssentialQuestions?

Iflearningistoendureinaflexible,adaptablewayforfutureuse,thenteachersmustdesignunits
thatinprovideopportunityforstudentsto1)acquireknowledge;2)todeepenthemeaningofthat
knowledgebyusingitmindfully,and3)totransfertheirlearningtonewsituationsorproblems.
TeachingforUnderstanding
Teaching for
Understanding


WhatDoesitMeantoUnderstand?
AdaptedfromWiggins,GrantandMcTighe,Jay.UnderstandingbyDesign.Alexandria,VA:AssociationforSupervisionand
CurriculumDevelopment,2006.

WhatDoesitMeantoUnderstand?(continued)
AdaptedfromWiggins,GrantandMcTighe,Jay.UnderstandingbyDesign.Alexandria,VA:AssociationforSupervisionand
CurriculumDevelopment,2006.

AdaptedfromWiggins,GrantandMcTighe,Jay.UnderstandingbyDesign.Alexandria,VA:AssociationforSupervision
andCurriculumDevelopment,2006.
LevelsofUnderstanding
EssentialQuestions
Topic
Perspective Application
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Knowledge
Comprehension

Arigorousandchallengingstandardsbasedinstructionalprogramensuresmaximumacademicachievement
forallstudents.TheBoulderValleySchoolDistrictInstructionalFrameworkisagraphicrepresentationthat
demonstrateshowallofthecomponentsofaninstructionalprogramfittogether.Teachersshouldusethis
frameworkanditsquestionstoguideinstructionalplanninganddecisionmaking.
InstructionalFramework
MakingtheConnections

CharacteristicsofaBoulderValleySchoolDistrict
StandardsbasedClassroom
Curriculum
AllStudentsHaveAccesstotheGeneralEducationCurriculum
Standards/essentiallearningsareclearlyvisibleinwritinginageappropriatestudentfriendly
language
Continualcorrelationofcurriculumismadetothestandards/essentiallearnings
Modelsofhighqualityproducts(teachergenerated,studentgeneratedorboth)areprovidedbythe
district
Studentsandparentsareinformedofexpectations(coursesyllabuscourse,standards/essential
learnings,gradingpolicy,homeworkpolicy,andfinalculminatingactivity)
Allstudentsareguaranteedaccesstothestandards/essentiallearnings
Lessonsandunitsaredevelopedusingabackwardsdesignprocess
Suggestedtimelinesarefollowed
Instruction
QualityInstructionDemandsStudentTeacherCollaborationintheLearningProcess
Instructionfocusesonstandards/essentiallearnings/curriculum
Clearandhighexpectationforallstudents
Instructiondrivenbystandards/curriculum,notmaterialsorapublishedprogram
Frequent,timely,meaningfulfeedbackofstudentaccomplishment
Instructionsupportsequitywithmultipleopportunitiestolearnthroughgrouping,scaffolding,
differentiation,andextension
Teachersusemultipleformsofrepresentationareused(e.g.,pictures,words,symbols,diagrams,
tables,graphs,wordwalls)
Studentsactivelyengageinlearning
Participateinclassroomtalk(listening,elaborating,clarifying,expanding)
Applyrigorous,strategicthinking(application,explanation,perspective,interpretation,
perspective,empathy,selfknowledge)

CharacteristicsofaBoulderValleySchoolDistrict
StandardsbasedClassroom
Assessment
AssessmentsareTightlyAlignedtotheStandards
Studentsandparentsareprovidedwithcleardescriptionsofproficiency
Classroomgradingpracticesclearlyshowhowstudentsareprogressingtowardessential
learnings/standards
Gradingisbasedonattainmentofthestandards
Studentunderstandingisassessedthroughmultipletypesofformativeandsummativeassessments
Studentassessmentresultsareusedtomakeinstructionaldecisionsaboutwhatdirectiontotake
Feedbackexplicitlyguidescontinuousprogresstowardmasteryofthestandardandisprovidedto
studentsinatimelymanner
Opportunitiestorelearn,reassess,andextendlearningareembeddedineveryclassroom
Teacherscollaborateinthedesignandanalysisofcommonassessmentsthatarealignedtostandards
Studentscreateauthenticproductsandperformancesforcriticalaudiences
LearningEnvironment
AHealthyCommunityofLearnersThrivesonCollaborativeProcessesThatValuetheInputof
AllMembers
Positiverespectfulrelationshipsareevidentwithintheclassroom
Studentsmonitorandmanagethequalityoftheirownlearning
Studentenrollmentshowsgenderandracial/ethnicdiversity
Verbalandnonverbalcuesindicatestudentengagement
Teachersplansothattimeisusedpurposefullyandefficiently
Studentsusetimeprovidedpurposefullyandefficiently
Studentsandteachersnegotiateandsharedecisionsthatpositivelyimpactthelearningenvironment
Teachershelpstudentsmakeconnectionsbetweencommunity,nation,world,andself
Teachersshowaconnectednesswithallstudents,respectfulofstudentdiversityandindividual
differences
Studentsbelievetheyarecapableofsuccess,takeriskstoengageinnewexperiences,andextend
skillsandhabitsofmind

MiddleSchoolScienceEssentialLearnings
MiddleSchoolPhysicalScience
Createsandconductsplansforinvestigationsthatinclude:askingquestions,stating
hypotheses,identifyingvariables,identifyingconstants,andcollectingdataaccurately
Usesappropriatetoolsandtechnologyandmetricmeasurementunitstogatherand
organizedataandtoreportresults
Interpretsdataandrecognizesbiasinordertoformulatelogicalconclusions
Communicatesthedesignandresultsofscientificinvestigationsinappropriateways
(written,oral,pictorial,digital)
Followslabandsafetyprocedureswhenconductingscientificinvestigations
Usestheparticulatemodelofmattertoexplainthephysicalpropertiesofsolids,liquids,
gases,andplasmastateandtheirchanges
Separatesmixturesbasedonproperties
Appliesanunderstandingoftheconservationofmasstophysicalandchemicalchanges
withinasystem
Distinguishesbetweenmassandweight
Explainsthatmatterismadeupofatomsthatarecomprisedofprotons,neutrons,and
electrons,andwhenasubstanceismadeupofonlyonetypeofatom,itisanelement
Describesthesimilaritiesanddifferencesamongelements,molecules,compounds,and
mixtures
Describes,measures,andcalculatesinteractionsbetweenmovingobjectsinasystem
Explainsthatenergyappearsindifferentformsandcanbetransferred(moved)andbe
transformed(changed)
Explainsthatelectriccircuitsprovideameansoftransferringelectricalenergy
Explainsthatwhitelightismadeupofdifferentcolorsthatcorrespondtodifferent
wavelengths
Identifiesrenewableandnonrenewablesourcesofenergy
Explainsthatacontrolledexperimentmusthavecomparableresultswhenrepeated
Createsandusesphysicalandconceptualmodelsforexplanationsandpredictions
Recognizesthatpeopleindifferentculturesandatdifferenttimesinhistoryhavemade
contributionstotheadvancementofscience
Recognizesthattheinterrelationshipofscienceandtechnologyhasimplicationsforthe
social,cultural,economic,andecologicalsystemswithinwhichwelive

MiddleSchoolLifeScience
Createsandconductsplansforinvestigationsthatinclude:askingquestions,stating
hypotheses,identifyingvariables,identifyingconstants,andcollectingdataaccurately
Usesappropriatetoolsandtechnologyandmetricmeasurementunitstogatherand
organizedataandtoreportresults
Interpretsandanalyzesdataandrecognizesbiasinordertoformulatelogicalconclusions
Communicatesaboutscientificinvestigationsinappropriateways(written,oral,pictorial,
digital)
Identifiescharacteristicscommontoalllivingthingsandclassifiesorganismsbasedon
differenceinphysicalcharacteristics
Describesthefunctionsandinteractionsofhumanbodysystems(forexample:circulatory,
respiratory,muscular,skeletal,digestive)andthelevelsoforganizationwithinthehuman
body
Comparesandcontrastavarietyofwaysinwhichmulticellularorganismstransport
materials
Explainshowmattercyclesandenergyflowsthroughecosystemsanddescribesthe
significanceofphotosynthesisandrespirationtotheseprocesses
Relatesstructureandfunctionindifferenttypesofcellsandcellularorganelles
Describestheroleofgeneticmaterialinthetransferofbiologicalcharacteristicsfromone
generationtoanother
Analyzesimplicationsofinteractionsamongorganisms,populations,andtheirenvironment
Givesexamplesofadaptationsandofevidencethatorganismshaveevolvedovertime
Explainswhyitisimportanttorepeatscientificinvestigations
Createsandusesphysicalandconceptualmodelsforexplanationandprediction
Explainsthatscientificknowledgechangesasnewknowledgeisacquiredandpreviousideas
aremodified

MiddleSchoolEarthandSpaceScience
Creates,evaluates,andconductsplansforinvestigationsthatinclude:askingquestions,
statingtestablehypotheses,identifyingvariablesandconstants,collectingdataaccurately,
andidentifyingdifferentmethodsforinvestigatingscientificquestions
Accuratelyusesappropriatetoolsandtechnologyandmetricmeasurementunitstogather,
organize,andanalyzedataandtoreportresults
Interprets,analyzes,andevaluatesdataandrecognizesbiasinordertoformulatelogical
conclusions
Communicatesaboutscientificinvestigationsinappropriateways(written,oral,pictorial,
digital)
Identifiesandexplainstheprocessesthatcreateminerals,rocks,andsoils
DescribeshowavarietyofconstructiveanddestructivenaturalprocessesshapeEarthssurface
Usesevidencetoexplainhownaturaleventsfollowpatternsofdistributionthatreflect
geologicalcauseandeffect
Infersgeologic,environmental,andbiologicalchangesthroughtimebasedonfossilevidence
Relatesthestructureandfunctionoftheatmospheretoitspropertiesandcomposition
DescribesorillustratestheprocessesbywhichenergyfromtheSundrivesatmospheric
circulation
Predictsweatherandclimatepatternsbyobserving,measuring,andrecordingweather
conditionacrosstimeandspace
DescribeshowwaterchangesphysicalstatesasitcirculatesthroughandwithintheEarths
crust,oceansandatmosphere
Connectsthecharacteristicsandcompositionofwaterbodiestothebehaviorandeffectof
wateronEarth
DescribesthemaincomponentsoftheSolarSystemandexplainhowtheSun,Moon,andEarth
interactstocauseday,year,seasons,phasesoftheMoonandeclipses
ComparesandcontrastsEarthwithotherplanetsintheSolarSystem,andexplainswhy
technologyisnecessarytostudyotherplanetsandtheuniversebeyondourSolarSystem
Explainswhyitisimportanttorepeatscientificinvestigations
Createsandusesphysicalandconceptualmodelsforexplanationandprediction
Explainsthatscientificknowledgechangesasnewknowledgeisacquiredandpreviousideasare
modified
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Design Templates
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DesiredResults
BVSDStandard(s)/EssentialLearnings
UnitEnduringUnderstandings UnitEssentialQuestions
Studentswillknow Studentswillbeableto
Performance/TransferTasks OtherEvidence
Rubric StudentSelfAssessmentandReflection
AssessmentEvidence
UnitDesignTemplate

LearningPlans
LearningActivities
Materials Accommodations
TechnologyIntegration
UnitDesignTemplate(continued)

UnitDesignTemplate
EssentialLearning:
Assessment:
TeachingforUnderstanding
AcquireKnowledge MakeMeaning Transfer

EssentialQuestions

LearningActivities

Materials

Accommodations

.

Month Assessment Knowledge
Skills
Learning
Activities

Standards/Essential
Learnings

Accommodations

Materials

CurriculumMap

August September October November
Standards/
Essential
Learnings

December
Assessment
Knowledge
Skills
Learning
Activities

Materials
Accommodations
CurriculumMap

Standards Assessment Knowledgeand
Skills
LearningActivities Accommodations Materials
Science
Math
Reading
Writing
Month
Theme:
UnitGuidingQuestion(s):
Speaking
Listening
SocialStudies
Health
CurriculumMap

January February March April
Standards/
Essential
Learnings

May
Assessment
Knowledge
Skills
Learning
Activities

Materials

Accommodations
CurriculumMap

Reading Writing Math Science

Social
Studies
Health
Speaking/
Listening
August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

YearAtAGlance
CurriculumMap


Unit:Timing:
EssentialQuestions
Standards/EssentialLearnings
Notes Assessments Knowledgeand

Skills
LearningActivities Accommodations Materials

CurriculumMap


Unit:Timing:
Standards/EssentialLearnings
EnduringUnderstandings
EssentialQuestions
Assessment
KnowledgeandSkills
LearningActivities
Accommodations
Materials
CurriculumMap
.

CurriculumGlossaryofTerms
Anchor Ananchorisasampleofworkorperformanceusedtosetthespecific
performancestandardforeachlevelofproficiency.Anchorscontributeto
scoringreliabilityandsupportstudentsbyprovidingtangiblemodelsofquality
work.
Assessment Assessmentreferstotheactofdeterminingavalueordegree.
Authenticassessment Anauthenticassessmentisonecomposedoftasksandactivitiesdesignto
simulateorreplicateimportant,realworldchallenges.Itasksastudenttouse
knowledgeinrealworldways,withgenuinepurposes,audiences,and
situationalvariables.Authenticassessmentsaremeanttodomorethantest;
theyshouldteachstudentswhatthedoingofasubjectlookslikeandwhat
kindsofperformancechallengesareactuallyconsideredmostimportantina
fieldorprofession.
BackwardDesign Anapproachtodesigningacurriculumorunitthatbeginswiththeendinmind
anddesignstowardthatend.ThistermisusedbyGrantWigginsandJay
McTigheinUnderstandingbyDesign.
Benchmark Clearlydemarcatedprogresspointsthatserveasconcreteindicatorsfora
standard.
BigIdea InUnderstandingbyDesign(WigginsandMcTighe,2005),thecore
concepts,principles,theories,andprocessesthatshouldserveasthe
focalpointofthecurriculum,instruction,andassessment.Bigideasare
enduringandimportantandtransferablebeyondthescopeofaparticularunit.
Concept Aconceptisamentalconstructorcategoryrepresentedbyawordorphrase.
Conceptsincludebothtangibleobjects(chair,telephone)andabstractideas
(bravery,anarchy).
ContentStandard Acontentstandardanswersthequestion,Whatastudentshouldknow,door
understand?
Curriculum Thecurriculumrepresentswhatshouldbetaught.Itisanexplicitand
comprehensiveplanthatisbasedoncontentandprocessstandards.
CurriculumImplementation Curriculumimplementationisputtingthecurriculumintoplace.
CurriculumMapping Curriculummappingandwebbingareapproachesthatrequireteacherstoalign
thecurriculum,standards,andlearningactivitiesacrossgradelevels,withina
gradeleveltoensureacontinuumoflearningthatmakessenseforallstudents.
EnduringUnderstanding Enduringunderstandingsarespecificinferences,basedonbigideasthathave
lastingvaluebeyondtheclassroom.Theyarefullsentencestatementsthat
describespecificallywhatstudentswillunderstandaboutthetopic.

CurriculumGlossaryofTerms(continued)
EssentialLearnings EssentialLearningsarethebackboneofaguaranteedviablecurriculum.Essential
Learningsarealignedwithstandardsandarticulatetheskills,content,and
conceptsdeterminedtobenonnegotiableareasofproficiencyattainmentbyall
studentssothattheyarepreparedforthenextyear/levelofeducation.The
EssentialLearningsarethemandatedcurriculumoftheBoulderValleySchool
Districtandformthebasisuponwhichsummativeassessmentsarecreated.
GuaranteedViableCurriculum In researching what works in schools, Robert Marzano (2003), found five
schoollevel factors that promote student achievement. Using the process of
statistical effect size analysis, Marzano concluded that a guaranteed and viable
curriculumisthemostpowerfulschoollevelfactorindeterminingoverallstudent
achievement. Marzano defines a guaranteed and viable curriculum as a
combination of opportunity to learn (guaranteed) and time to learn (viable).
AccordingtoMarzano,studentshavetheopportunitytolearnwhentheystudya
curriculum that clearly articulates required standards to be addressed at specific
grade levels and in specific courses. A curriculum is viable when the number of
required standards is manageable for a student to learn to a level of mastery in
thetimeprovided(usuallyasemester,trimester,oryear).
LearningActivities Theserepresenttheexperiencesandinstructionthatwillenablestudentsto
achievethedesiredresultssuchasmaterials,projects,lectures,videos,
homework,assignments,presentations,accommodations,andvocabulary.
EssentialQuestion AnEssentialQuestionliesattheheartofasubjectoracurriculum(asopposedto
beingeithertrivialorleading)andpromotesinquiryanduncoverageofasubject.
Essentialquestionsdonotyieldasingleanswer,butproducedifferentplausible
responses,aboutwhichthoughtfulandknowledgeablepeoplemaydisagree.An
essentialquestioncanbeoverarching,gradelevelspecific,orunitspecificin
scope.
EssentialTopics,Skills,Processes,
Concepts
Thetopics,skills,processes,andconceptsclarifytheEssentialLearnings,describe
indicatorsofachievement,andinformtheselectionofformativeandsummative
assessments.
Formativeassessment Anassessmentisconsideredformativewhenthefeedbackfromlearningactivities
isactuallyusedtoadapttheteachingtomeetthelearner'sneeds.
PerformanceTask Aperformancetaskusesonesknowledgetoeffectivelyactorbringtofruitiona
complexproductthatrevealsonesknowledgeandexpertise.
Prerequisiteknowledgeandskill Theknowledgeandskillrequiredtosuccessfullyperformaculminatingtasksor
achieveanunderstanding.Thesetypicallyidentifydiscreteknowledgeand
knowhowrequiredtoputeverythingtogetherinameaningful,final
performance.

Processes Processesincludeallthestrategies,decisions,andsubskillsastudentusesin
meetingthecontentstandard.
Product Thetangibleandstableresultofaperformanceandtheprocessesthatledto
it.Theproductisvalidforassessingthestudentsknowledgetotheextent
thatsuccessorfailureinproducingtheproductreflectstheknowledgetaught
andbeingassessed.
Rubric Ascoringtoolthatratesperformanceaccordingtoclearlystatedlevelsof
criteriaandenablesstudentstoselfassess.Arubricanswersthequestion,
Whatdoesunderstandingorproficiencyforanidentifiedresultlooklike?The
scalescanbenumericordescriptive.
ScopeandSequence Scopereferstothebreadthanddepthofcontenttobecoveredina
curriculumatanyonetime(e.g.week,term,year,overastudentsschoollife).
Sequencereferstotheorderinwhichcontentispresentedtolearnersover
time.Theorderinwhichyoudoit.Togetherascopeandsequenceoflearning
bringordertothedeliveryofcontent,supportingthemaximizingofstudent
learningandofferingsustainedopportunitiesforlearning.Withouta
consideredscopeandsequencethereistheriskofadhoccontentdeliveryand
themissingofsignificantlearning.
Strategies Strategiesareprocedures,methods,ortechniquestoaccomplishanessential
learning.
Summativeassessment Anassessmentisconsideredsummativewhenthefeedbackisusedasa
summaryofthelearninguptoagivenpointintime.
CurriculumGlossaryofTerms(continued)
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MiddleLevelLifeScienceCurriculumEssentialsMay2009

BoulderValleySchoolDistrict MiddleLevelLifeScienceCurriculumEssentialsDocument
MiddleLevel
LifeScience
CurriculumEssentials
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MiddleLevelLifeScienceCurriculumEssentialsMay2009 2

BoulderValleySchoolDistrictScienceBackground
ContentandGoals
SincethepublicationsoftheNationalScience
EducationStandardsbytheNationalResearch
Councilin1996,theteachingofscienceingrades
K12hasundergoneagradualrevolution.Insteadof
presentingscienceasacollectionofisolatedfacts,
teachersstrivetohelpeachstudentdevelopthe
abilitytoconductscientificinquiry,astrong
understandingofscientificconceptsandhowthey
areconnected,andanunderstandingofthenature
andhistoryofscience.In2007,theColorado
DepartmentofEducationpublishedthemostrecent
versionoftheColoradoModelContentStandards
forScienceandColoradoAssessmentFrameworks
forScience.
ThisrevisionoftheBoulderValleySchoolDistrict
ScienceCurriculumhadthreekeygoals:
Clearlyarticulatewhateverystudentshould
know,understand,andbeabletodowith
regardstoscienceateverygradelevel
AlignwiththerevisedColoradoStandardsand
Frameworks
Reducethebreadthofsciencecontentateach
gradelevelsothatconceptscanbeexploredin
greaterdepth.
ScientificInquiry
AcentralfocusoftherevisedBVSDscience
curriculumisscientificinquiry.Thefollowing
definitionfromtheNationalScienceEducation
Standardsservesasthebasisforourcommon
understandingofhowscientificinquiryisdefined.
Scientificinquiryreferstothe
diversewaysinwhichscientists
studythenaturalworldand
proposeexplanationsbasedonthe
evidencederivedfromtheirwork.
Inquiryalsoreferstotheactivities
ofstudentsinwhichtheydevelop
knowledgeandunderstandingof
scientificideas,aswellasan
understandingofhowscientists
studythenaturalworld.
Thefollowingpointsservetoclarifythevisionof
whatinquirymeansinBVSD.
Inquiryinvolvesfiveessentialfeatures.Students
engagedinscientificinquiryshouldaskor
respondtoscientificallyorientedquestions,give
prioritytoevidence,formulateexplanations
basedonevidence,connectexplanationsto
scientificknowledge,andcommunicateand
justifyexplanations(InquiryandtheNational
ScienceEducationStandards).
Inquirybasedscienceinstructioninvolvesa
continuumoflearningexperiencesfrom
teacherledtolearnerselfdirectedactivities,
includingbutnotlimitedtohandsonlabs.
Hence,bothastructuredassignmentinvolving
readingandwrittenreflectionandan
openended,handsoninvestigationcouldbe
consideredinquiryaslongastheyinvolvethe
fiveessentialfeaturesidentifiedabove.
Theultimategoalsofinquirybasedinstruction
aretoengagelearners,developtheirconceptual
understandingofthenaturalworldaround
them,andtoovercomemisconceptionsin
science.
Inquirybasedactivitiesshouldbalancestudents
applicationofcontentknowledge,creativity,
andcriticalthinkinginordertoanalyzedata,
solveaproblem,oraddressauniquequestion.
LiteratureCited
NationalResearchCouncil.1996.NationalScience
EducationStandards.Washington,DC:NationalAcademyPress.
NationalResearchCouncil.2000.InquiryandtheNationalScienceEducation
Standards.Washington,DC:NationalAcademyPress.

ScienceStandard1
Studentsapplytheprocessesofscientific
investigationanddesign,safelyconduct,
communicateaboutandevaluatesuch
investigations.
ScienceStandard2
Studentsknowandunderstandcommonproperties,
forms,andchangesinmatterandenergy.
ScienceStandard4
Studentsknowandunderstandtheprocessesand
interactionsofEarthssystemsandthestructureand
dynamicsofEarthandotherobjectsinspace.
BoulderValleySchoolDistrictScienceContentStandards
ScienceStandard5
Studentsunderstandthatthenatureofscienceinvolvesaparticularwayofbuildingknowledgeandmaking
meaningofthenaturalworld.
ScienceStandard3
Studentsknowandunderstandthecharacteristics
andstructureoflivingthings,theprocessesoflife,
andhowlivingthingsinteractwitheachotherand
theirenvironment.

ScienceOverarchingEnduringUnderstandingsandEssentialQuestions
OverarchingEnduringUnderstanding
Scienceinvolvesaparticularwayofknowingthat
includesrelyingonempiricalevidence,logical
arguments,skepticism,andpeerreview.Scientific
ideasarerevisedovertimeasnewevidence
becomesavailable.

Benefitsandcostsofscientificresearchand
technologicalinnovationincludeconsequencesthat
arelongtermaswellasshortterm,andindirectas
wellasdirect.
Scientificinquiryinvolvesaskingscientifically
orientedquestions,collectingevidence,forming
explanations,connectingexplanationstoscientific
knowledgeandtheory,andcommunicatingand
justifyingexplanations.
Matterhaspropertiesrelatedtoitsstructurethat
canbemeasuredandusedtoidentify,classifyand
describesubstancesorobjects.
Energyoccursindifferentformsandisnecessaryto
doworkortocausechange.
Allorganismssharesimilarcharacteristicsandbasic
needs,buttheyalsohavedifferencesthatallow
peopletoidentify,describeandclassifythem.
TheEarthSystemiscomposedofandpartofa
multitudeofsystems,whichcycleandinteract
resultingindynamicequilibrium.
OverarchingEssentialQuestions
Howissciencedifferentfromotherdisciplinesinthe
wayitapproachesquestions?

Howhavescienceandtechnologyaffectedthe
qualityoflife?
Howdopeopleusetheprocessofscienceto
investigatequestionsaboutthenaturalworld?
Whatismatter?
Whatisenergy?
Howdoesenergyinteractwithmattertocause
changeanddowork?
Howarealllivingthingsthesame,andhowarethey
different?
HowdoEarthssystemsinteract?

ScienceStandard3:Studentsknowandunderstand
thecharacteristicsandstructureoflivingthings,the
processesoflife,andhowlivingthingsinteractwith
eachotherandtheirenvironment.
Tomeetthisstandard,aMiddleLevelLifeScience
student:
Identifiescharacteristicscommontoallliving
thingsandclassifiesorganismsbasedon
differenceinphysicalcharacteristics.
Describesthefunctionsandinteractionsof
humanbodysystems(forexample:circulatory,
respiratory,muscular,skeletal,digestive)and
thelevelsoforganizationwithinthehuman
body.
Comparesandcontrastavarietyofwaysin
whichmulticellularorganismstransport
materials.
Explainshowmattercyclesandenergyflows
throughecosystemsanddescribesthe
significanceofphotosynthesisandrespirationto
theseprocesses.
Relatesstructureandfunctionindifferenttypes
ofcellsandcellularorganelles.
Describestheroleofgeneticmaterialinthe
transferofbiologicalcharacteristicsfromone
generationtoanother.
Analyzesimplicationsofinteractionsamong
organisms,populations,andtheirenvironment.
Givesexamplesofadaptationsandofevidence
thatorganismshaveevolvedovertime.
ScienceStandard1:Studentsapplytheprocessesof
scientificinvestigationanddesign,safelyconduct,
communicateaboutandevaluatesuch
investigations.
student:
Createsandconductsplansforinvestigations
thatinclude:askingquestions,stating
hypotheses,identifyingvariables,identifying
constants,andcollectingdataaccurately.
Usesappropriatetoolsandtechnologyand
metricmeasurementunitstogatherand
organizedataandtoreportresults.
Interpretsandanalyzesdataandrecognizesbias
inordertoformulatelogicalconclusions.
Communicatesaboutscientificinvestigationsin
appropriateways(written,oral,pictorial,
digital).
Followslabandsafetyprocedureswhen
conductingscientificinvestigations.
BoulderValleySchoolDistrictScienceContentStandardsand
MiddleLevelLifeScienceEssentialLearnings
Continuedonnextpage
commonproperties,forms,andchangesinmatter
andenergy.
NoessentiallearninginMiddleLevelLifeScience.

theprocessesandinteractionsofEarthssystems
andthestructureanddynamicsofEarthandother
objectsinspace.

NoessentiallearninginMiddleLevelLifeScience.
ScienceStandard5:Studentsunderstandthatthe
natureofscienceinvolvesaparticularwayof
buildingknowledgeandmakingmeaningofthe
naturalworld.
student:
Explainswhyitisimportanttorepeatscientific
investigations.
Createsandusesphysicalandconceptual
modelsforexplanationandprediction.
Recognizesthatpeopleindifferentculturesand
atdifferenttimesinhistoryhavemade
contributionstotheadvancementofscience.
Explainsthatscientificknowledgechangesas
newknowledgeisacquiredandpreviousideas
aremodified.
BoulderValleySchoolDistrictScienceContentStandardsand
MiddleLevelLifeScienceEssentialLearnings(continued)

EffectiveComponentsofa
LifeScienceProgram
Maintainsaninquirybasedlearning
environment
Providesstudentswithmultiple
opportunitiestolearnandtimely
feedbacktohelpstudentsknow
whattheyneedtoimproveupon
Usesassessmenttoguide
instruction
Differentiatesinstructiontomeet
studentneeds
Drawsoutandactivelyengagesthe
preexistingunderstandingsabout
thenaturalworldthatstudents
bringwiththem
Assistsstudentsindeveloping
metacognitiveskillswithinthe
contextoflearningaboutscience
Integrateswriting,reading,and
mathematicswithinquirybased
science
Providesasafe,equitableand
engaginglearningenvironmentfor
allstudents

Assessment
8
th
gradeScienceCSAP
ScienceNotebooks
Teachercreated
assessments
BVSDLifeScience
Overview
CourseDescription
InmiddlelevelLifeScience,students
willbedesigningandconducting
scientificinvestigationsand
constructingscientificexplanations
basedonevidence.Studentswill
makemeasurementsusingmetric
unitsandwillorganizetheirdata
usingbarandlinegraphs.Students
willlearnaboutfundamental
conceptsinlifesciencesuchasthe
characteristicsoflivingthings,cells,
humanbody,basicpatternsof
inheritance,transportandlevelsof
organizationwithinorganisms,
ecosysteminteractionsand
evolution.Studentswillalsolearn
aboutthenatureofscienceasa
humanendeavor.
EssentialQuestions
Whatmakesaquestionscientific?
Investigatequestionsaboutthenaturalworld?
Howdopeopleensurethatscientificdataare
accurate?
Howdopeopleensurethattheresultsofscientific
investigationsarevalid?
Howcanpeoplemakescientificinvestigationsas
safeaspossibleforthemselvesandforotherliving
things?
Howdodifferencesamongorganismsaffectthe
waysinwhichweclassifythem?
Howdoorgansandorgansystemsinthehuman
bodyinteracttoperformspecificfunctions?
Howdomulticellularorganismstransport
materialstoalloftheircells?
Whatmighthappenifanorganisms
transportation
systemsbreakdown?
HowdoesenergymakeitswayfromtheSuntothe
musclecellsinapersonsbody?
Whatwouldhappenifallphotosynthesisonthe
planetstopped?
Whydopeoplesaythatenergyflowsbutmatter
cyclesthroughlivingsystems?
Howarestructureandfunctionrelatedatthe
cellularlevel?
Howisinformationpassedfromonegenerationto
thenextsothatoffspringresembletheirparents
butarenotexactlythesameastheirparents?
Howdoorganismsandabioticfactorsinteract
withinanecosystemandwhataretheimplications
for
populations?
Howdoweknowthatorganismshaveevolved
overtime?
Howdoadaptationsaffectanorganismspotential
tosurviveandreproduce?
Whydopeoplerepeatscientificinvestigations?
Whydopeopleusemodelsinscience?
Whyarediverseperspectivesandateamapproach
importanttoscientificresearch?
Howhasscientificknowledgechangedinthefield
oflifescienceandwhy?
Technology
Integration&Information
Literacy
Usestechnologyresponsiblyfor
communicationandtransferof
ideas
Usestechnologytogather,
organize,analyze,and
communicateaboutdata
Collaborateswithothersto
identifyinformationproblemsand
toseektheirsolutions
Createsalabeleddiagramthat
supportsinformationbeingshared
Organizesandreportsinformation
inavarietyofcomplexways
includingtables,graphs,charts,
reports
Identifiesvariousinformation
sources(people,materials,
equipment)
Presentsinformationinavariety
offormatsincludingwritten
paragraphs,posters,illustrations,
etc.
Life
Science
Characteristics
of
organisms
Safety
Organizesandrecordsdata
Communicatesresults
Genetics
Transportwithin
multicellularorganisms
Designs&conductsinvestigations
Usestoolsandtechnology
Repeatability
Photosynthesis&
respiration
Matter&energyinecosystems Natureofscience
Cells
Evolution
Models
HumanBody
Interactionswithin
ecosystems
Technology&impacts Scienceasahumanendeavor

LS1
Creates,evaluates,andconductsplansforinvestigationsthatinclude:asking
questions,statingtestablehypotheses,identifyingvariablesandconstants,
collectingdataaccurately,andidentifyingdifferentmethodsforinvestigating
scientificquestions

a
Developsatestablequestion
b Statesatestablehypothesis
c Usestheappropriateobservation/measurementtechniquefordatacollection
d
Identifiestheindependentanddependentvariableandthevariablesheldconstant
inanexperiment
EnduringUnderstanding
Scientificinquiryinvolvesasking
scientificallyorientedquestions,collecting
evidence,formingexplanations,connecting
explanationstoscientificknowledgeand
theory,andcommunicatingandjustifying
explanations.
EssentialQuestions
Whatmakesaquestionscientific?
investigatequestionsaboutthenaturalworld?
Howdopeopleensurethatscientificdataare
accurate?
Howdopeopleensurethattheresultsofscientific
investigationsarevalid?
Howcanpeoplemakescientificinvestigationsas
safeaspossibleforthemselvesandforother
livingthings?
Continuedonnextpage
EssentialLearnings
EssentialLearnings
EssentialKnowledge,Skills,Topics,Processes,andConcepts
ScienceStandard1
Studentsapplytheprocessesofscientificinvestigationanddesign,safelyconduct,communicateaboutand
evaluatesuchinvestigations.
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e Developsanappropriateprocedureforaninvestigation/experiment
f Predictsmultiplepossibleoutcomesofaninvestigation
LS2
Accuratelyusesappropriatetoolsandtechnologyandmetricmeasurement
unitstogather,organize,andanalyzedataandtoreportresults

a
Records,reportsandanalyzesdatainavarietyofforms(sketches,tables,charts,
graphicorganizers,digitalmedia,etc.)fromascientificinvestigationusingthe
appropriatetoolandmetricunits
b
Measuresaccuratelyusingavarietyoftoolsandtechnologies(forexample:
microscope,triplebeambalance,graduatedcylinder,meterstick,thermometer,
springscale,digitaldevices)
c Collects,organizes,andinterpretsdataintablesandgraphs
d Describespossiblewaystominimizeerrorinmeasurements
LS3
Interprets,analyzes,andevaluatesdataandrecognizesbiasinorderto
formulatelogicalconclusions

a
Interprets,analyzes,andevaluatesdata/observations(datatables,barandline
graphs,diagrams,writtendescriptions,digitalsources,etc.)toformulatealogical
conclusion
b
Usesevidencetostateifahypothesisissupportedornotsupported
c Makespredictionsbasedonexperimentaldata
d
Statesexplanationsthatlinkclaimsandevidence
e Identifiespossiblesourcesofobserverbiasinaninvestigation
EssentialLearnings(continued)
EssentialLearnings
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Continuedonnextpage
ScienceStandard1(continued)

LS4
Communicatesaboutscientificinvestigationsinappropriateways(written,oral,
pictorial,digital)

a
Communicatesaboutascientificinvestigationinavarietyofways(written,oral,
pictorial,digital)includingwritinginsciencenotebooks
b
Accuratelycreatesagraph(barandline)ofthedatawiththedependentand
independentvariablesoncorrectaxes
LS5

a
Knowsproperlabandsafetyproceduresforgradeappropriateworkasdemonstrated
byproficientscoreonsafetytest
b
Followssafetyproceduresconsistently
c Useslaboratorytoolsappropriatelyandaccurately
c Provides,receives,andrespondstofeedbackaboutascientificinvestigation
KeyAcademicVocabulary:constant,data,dependentvariable,hypothesis,independentvariable,
testable
EssentialLearnings
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LS6
Identifiescharacteristicscommontoalllivingthingsandclassifiesorganisms
basedondifferencesinphysicalcharacteristics

a
Liststhecommoncharacteristicsoflivingthings(composedofcells,senseand
respondtostimuli,growanddevelop,evolve,reproduce,useandtransform
energy)
b
Classifiesagroupof510organismsbasedonphysicalcharacteristics
c Identifiesphysicalcharacteristicsusedtoclassifyvertebrates
Allorganismssharesimilarcharacteristicsand
basicneedsthatareuniquetolivingthings,but
theyalsohavedifferencesthatallowpeopleto
identify,describeandclassifythem.
EssentialQuestions
Howdodifferencesamongorganismsaffectthe
waysinwhichweclassifythem?

Continuedonnextpage
EssentialLearnings
EssentialLearnings
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ScienceStandard3
Studentsknowandunderstandthecharacteristicsandstructureoflivingthings,theprocessesoflife,and
howlivingthingsinteractwitheachotherandtheirenvironment.

LS7
Describesthefunctionsandinteractionsofhumanbodysystems(forexample:
circulatory,respiratory,muscular,skeletal,digestive)andthelevelsof
organizationwithinthehumanbody

a Identifiesmajororgansandorgansystemsanddescribestheirfunctions
b
Describeshoworgansystemsinteractwithinthebody(forexample:describehow
thedigestivesystemacquiresnutrientsfromtheenvironment,thecirculatory
systemtransportsnutrients,andthenervoussystemsignalsthebodywhenitislow
onnutrients)
c
Describeshowtheorgansinanorgansystemworktogethertoperformthemain
functionofthesystem(skeletal,muscular,circulatory,respiratory,nervous,
digestive).Forexample:explainshowtheorgansinthedigestivesystemwork
togethertodigestfood
d
Describesthepatternofincreasingcomplexityamonglevelsoforganizationina
livingsystemfromcelltotissuetoorgantoorgansystemtoorganism
Organsandorgansystemsworktogether
withinthehumanbodytoperformspecific
functions.
EssentialQuestions
Howdoorgansandorgansystemsinthehuman
bodyinteracttoperformspecificfunctions?

Continuedonnextpage
EssentialLearnings
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LS8
Comparesandcontrastsavarietyofwaysinwhichmulticellularorganisms
transportmaterials

a
Describesthevariousprocessesthatfoodundergoestobeabsorbedbyan
organismscells
b
Comparesandcontrastswaysthatvariousorganismstransportnutrientsandwastes
(openandclosedcirculatorysystems,plantvascularsystems,etc)
c
Comparesandcontrastswaysthatvariousorganismsexchangecarbondioxideand
oxygen(stomata,lungs,gills,etc)withtheenvironment
Differentmulticellularorganismshave
differentwaysoftransportingmaterialsamong
cells,tissuesandorgans.
EssentialQuestions
Howdomulticellularorganismstransport
materialstoalloftheircells?
Whatmighthappenifanorganisms
transportationsystemsbreakdown?

Continuedonnextpage
EssentialLearnings
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LS9
Explainshowmattercyclesandenergyflowsthroughecosystemsand
describesthesignificanceofphotosynthesisandrespirationtothese
processes

a
Identifiestherawmaterials(CO
2
,H
2
0)andproducts(O
2
,C
6
H
12
O
6
)of
photosynthesis
b Explainsthatthecarboninplantscomesfromcarbondioxideintheatmosphere
c Identifiestherawmaterials(O
2
,C
6
H
12
O
6
)andproducts(CO
2
,H
2
0)ofrespiration
d
Explainsthatcellularrespirationisaprocessthatconvertsstoredchemicalenergy
intoaformusablebycells
e
Describestherelationshipbetweenphotosynthesisandcellularrespirationwithin
plantsandbetweenplantsandanimals(forexample:animalsonlyperformcellular
respiration,plantscanperformbothprocesses)
f Comparesandcontrastsfoodwebswithinandbetweendifferentecosystems
g
Infersthenumberoforganismsoramountofenergyavailableateachlevelofan
energypyramid
Mattercyclesandenergyflowsthroughliving
systems.Photosynthesisandrespirationare
thekeybiochemicalprocessesthatmost
organismsusetoobtainanduseenergy.
EssentialQuestions
HowdoesenergymakeitswayfromtheSunto
themusclecellsinapersonsbody?
Whatwouldhappenifallphotosynthesisonthe
planetstopped?
Whydopeoplesaythatenergyflowsbutmatter
cyclesthroughlivingsystems?

Continuedonnextpage
EssentialLearnings
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LS10
Relatesstructureandfunctionindifferenttypesofcellsandcellular
organelles

a
Recognizesthatallorganismsarecomposedofoneormorecells,whicharethe
basicunitoflivingthings
b Describescellularorganellesandtheirfunctions
c
Comparesandcontraststhebasicstructuresandfunctionsofplantcells,animal
cells,andsinglecelledorganisms
d
Describesthepurposeofbodycelldivision
Thecellisthebasicunitofstructureand
functioninlivingthings.Alllivingthingsare
composedofoneormorecells.Allcellscome
frompreexistingcells.
EssentialQuestions
Howarestructureandfunctionrelatedatthe
cellularlevel?

Continuedonnextpage
EssentialLearnings
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Continuedonnextpage
EssentialLearnings
LS11
Describestheroleofgeneticmaterialinthetransferofbiologicalcharacteristics
fromonegenerationtoanother

a
Describestherelationshipofchromosomes,genes,andtraitsandtheirrolein
heredity
b
Infersthetraitsofoffspringbasedonthegenesoftheparents(includingdominant
traits,recessivetraits,anduseofPunnettsquarediagrams)
c Differentiatesbetweenmitosisandmeiosis
d Relatesthenumberofchromosomestothefinalproductofmitosisormeiosis
Anorganismsgenesinfluenceitstraits
(physicalcharacteristics).Genesareinherited
byoffspringfromtheirparents,andaccount
forwhyoffspringoftenresembletheirparents.
EssentialQuestions
Howisinformationpassedfromonegeneration
tothenextsothatoffspringresembletheir
parentsbutarenotexactlythesameastheir
parents?
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LS12
Analyzesimplicationsofinteractionsamongorganisms,populations,andtheir
environment

a Describesseveralfactorsthatcouldlimitthesizeofapopulation
b
Describestheimpactofhumansontheenvironmentandhowthataffectsthe
survivalofpopulationsandentirespecies
c
Describeshoworganismschangeinresponsetoenvironmentalfactors
Ecosystemsarecomposedofbothlivingand
nonlivingthings,whichinteractwithand
dependononeanother.
EssentialQuestions
Howdoorganismsandabioticfactorsinteract
withinanecosystemandwhatarethe
implicationsforpopulations?

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EssentialLearnings
LS13
Givesexamplesofadaptationsandofevidencethatorganismshaveevolved
overtime

a
Describesevidencethatrevealschangesorconstancyingroupsoforganismsover
time
b
Evaluatesthepotentialofanorganismwithspecifictraitstosurviveandreproducein
anenvironment
Organismshaveevolvedovertimeand
continuetoevolve.Someorganismspossess
adaptationsthatmakethemmorelikelyto
surviveand/orreproducethanothersinthe
samepopulation.
EssentialQuestions
Howdoweknowthatorganismshaveevolved
overtime?
Howdoadaptationsaffectanorganisms
potentialtosurviveandreproduce?

KeyAcademicVocabulary:abiotic,adaptation,cell,celldivision,chromosome,classificationsystem,
dominant,ecosystem,evolution,foodweb,gene,heredity,inheritance,internalbalance,living,
multicellular,nonliving,organ,organsystem,organism,osmosis,photosynthesis,recessive,recycle,
respiration,tissue
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LS14 Explainswhyitisimportanttorepeatscientificinvestigations

a Identifiesacontrolledfactor(variable)inascientificinvestigation
b
Predictsthatwhenrepeatingacontrolledexperiment,itshouldleadtocomparable
results
c
Recognizesthatifconditionsarenotkeptthesame,evidencecollectedthrough
repeatedexperimentscannotbeaccuratelycomparedtopreviousexperimental
results
d
Suggestspossiblereasonswhyanexperimentmightnothavethesameresults
whenitisrepeated
Becauseweexpectscienceinvestigationsthat
aredonethesamewaytoproducethesame
results,whentheydonot,itisimportanttotry
tofigureoutwhy.Sometimessimilar
investigationsgivedifferentresultsbecauseof
differencesinthethingsbeinginvestigated,the
methodsused,orthecircumstancesinwhich
theinvestigationiscarriedout,andsometimes
justbecauseofuncertaintiesinobservations.It
isnotalwayseasytotellwhich.
EssentialQuestions
Whydopeoplerepeatscientificinvestigations?
Continuedonnextpage
EssentialLearnings
ScienceStandard5
EssentialLearnings
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LS15
Createsandusesphysicalandconceptualmodelsforexplanationand
prediction

a
Recognizesand/ordescribesthatmodelscanbeusedtoobtaininformationabout
scientificprocessesand/orobjectsthatmaybedifficulttostudy
b
Givesexamplesofmodelsthatareusedtounderstandscientificprocessesor
conceptswhenscaleorsizeisdifficulttoreplicateandmakesobservationsdifficult
(cells)
Amodelofsomethingissimilarto,butnot
exactlylike,whatisbeingmodeled.Some
modelsarephysicallysimilartowhattheyare
representing,butothersarenot.
EssentialQuestions
Howdopeopleusemodelsinscience?
EssentialLearnings
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LS16
Recognizesthatpeopleindifferentculturesandatdifferenttimesinhistory
havemadecontributionstotheadvancementofscience

a
Describesacontributiontolifesciencemadebysomeonefromanondominant
culture
b Describesacontributiontolifesciencemadebysomeonefromthepast
c
Explainsthattheprocessofsciencebenefitsfromcollaborationamongpeoplewith
diverseperspectivesbecausedifferentpeoplehavedifferentwaysofapproaching
problems,designinginvestigations,andinterpretingdata
Manypeoplefromdifferentcultures,from
differentpartsoftheworld,andfromdifferent
backgroundstakepartinscientificinvestigations
andhavemadesignificantcontributionstothe
advancementofscientificunderstanding.
Sciencebenefitsasadisciplinebyengaginga
diversecommunityofparticipantswithdifferent
perspectives.
EssentialQuestions
Whyarediverseperspectivesandateam
approachimportanttoscientificresearch?

EssentialLearnings
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Continuedonnextpage

EssentialLearnings
Scientificknowledgechangesaspeoplediscover
newevidenceandreviseexplanations.
EssentialQuestions
Howhasscientificknowledgechangedinthe
fieldoflifescienceandwhy?

LS17
Explainsthatscientificknowledgechangesasnewknowledgeisacquiredand
previousideasaremodified

a
Givesexamplesofreasonswhyscientificknowledgechangesovertime(for
example:advancesintechnologymicroscopyandthediscoveryofchromosomes)
KeyAcademicVocabulary:controlledexperiment,implication,model
E
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Topic
(canbedoneinanyorder)
SuggestedTimeframe
(canbedoneinanyorder)
Characteristicsoflifeandclassification 4weeks
Humanbodysystems 4weeks
Transportinmulticellularorganisms 2weeks
Ecosystems,photosynthesis,andrespiration 4weeks
Structureandfunctionincells 24weeks
Genetics 4weeks
Interactionswithinecosystems 2weeks
Adaptationsandevolution 24weeks
Standards1&5 Interwoventhroughout
SuggestedTimelines

ScienceScope&SequenceK5
Standard K 1 2 3 4 5
ScientificIn
vestigations
Observation,
simple
questionsand
predictions,
safety
Observation,
simple
questionsand
predictions,
recordingdata,
safety
Observation,
simple
questionsand
predictions,
recordingdata,
explanations,
andsafety
Designing
investigations,
measurement,
explanations,
safety
Designing
Investigations,
organizingand
representing
data,
measurement,
explanations,
safety
Fairtest,
identifying
and
controlling
variables,
organizing
and
representing
data,
explanations,
safety
PhysicalScience Propertiesof
objects
Balanceand
motion
Statesof
matter
Matterand
Energy
Magnetism
andelectricity
Changesin
matter,
Forceand
motion
LifeScience Characteristics
oflivingthings
Structuresand
lifecyclesof
plants
Structuresand
lifecyclesof
insects
Humanbody
systems
Structure,
function,and
energyin
organisms
Ecosystems
EarthandSpace
Science
Seasons Sortingand
comparing
Earths
materials
Airand
weather
Fossils Water
Solarsystem
Landforms
NatureofScience N/A N/A N/A Repeating
investigations
andmodels
Repeating
investigations
andmodels
Repeating
investigations
andmodels

ScienceScope&Sequence612
Standard 6 7 8 Physical
Science
Biology
Scientific
Investigations
Designand
conduct
investigations
Usetoolsand
technology
Organizeanduse
data
Communicate
results
Safety
Designand
conduct
investigations
Usetoolsand
technology
Organizeanduse
data
Communicate
results
Safety
Designand
conduct
investigations
Usetoolsand
technology
Organizeanduse
data
Communicate
results
Safety
Askquestionsand
statehypotheses
Designand
conduct
investigations
Safelyusetools
andtechnology
Evaluateerror
anduncertainty
Communicate
andevaluate
results
Askquestionsand
statehypotheses
Designandconduct
investigations
Safelyusetoolsand
technology
Evaluateerrorand
uncertainty
Communicateand
evaluateresults
Alternative
explanationsand
models
Standards24
Physical
Science
LifeScience
Earthand
SpaceScience
PhysicalScience
Particulatemodel
ofmatter
Atoms
Mixturesand
solutions
Compoundsand
molecules
Conservationof
matter
Massandweight
Energysources
Energy
transformations
Forceandmotion
Electricalcircuits
Lightwaves
LifeScience
Characteristicsof
organisms
Humanbody
Transportwithin
multicellular
organisms
Photosynthesis
andrespiration
Interactions
within
ecosystems
Matterand
energyin
ecosystems
Cells
Evolution
Genetics
EarthandSpace
Science
Watercycle
Bodiesofwater
Processesthat
shapeEarths
surface
Atmosphere
structureand
function
Fossils
Atmosphere
circulation
Minerals,rocks,
andsoils
Weatherand
climate
Platetectonics
SolarSystem
Sun,Earth,Moon
Galaxiesand
spaceexploration
PhysicalScience
Kineticmolecular
modelofmatter
Atomicstructure
andtheperiodic
table
Chemicalbonding
andreactions
Separating
complexmixtures
Conservationof
matterand
energy
Energy
transformations
Waves
Forceandmotion
Electricityand
magnetism
LifeScience
Physicaland
biochemical
characteristicsof
livingthings
Cellstructure,
functionand
differentiation
Homeostasisand
cellulartransport
Molecularbasisof
heredity
Evolution
Photosynthesisand
cellularrespiration
Interactionswithin
ecosystems
NatureofScience Repeatability
Models
Technologyand
impacts
Scienceasa
humanendeavor
Repeatability
Models
Technologyand
impacts
Scienceasa
humanendeavor
Repeatability
Models
Technologyand
impacts
Scienceasa
humanendeavor
Technologyand
impacts
Scientific
hypotheses,
theoriesandlaws
Technologyand
impacts
Scientifichypotheses,
theoriesandlaws
Scienceasahuman
endeavor

GlossaryofTerms
Abiotic notassociatedwithorderivedfromlivingorganisms;abioticfactorsinanenvironment
includesuchitemsassunlight,temperature,windpatterns,andprecipitation
Adaptation achangebywhichanorganismbecomesbettersuitedtoitsenvironment
Air theinvisiblegaseoussubstancesurroundingtheearth,amixturemainlyofoxygenand
nitrogen
Airpressure thepressureexertedbytheatmosphere
AminoAcid ofaclassofabouttwentyorganiccompoundswhichformthebasicconstituentsof
proteinsandcontainbothacidandaminegroups
Amplitude themaximumextentofavibrationoroscillationfromthepointofequilibrium.
Asexualreproduction reproductionwithoutthefusionofgametes
Atmosphere theenvelopeofgasessurroundingtheearthoranotherplanet
Atom thesmallestparticleofachemicalelement,consistingofapositivelychargednucleus
surroundedbynegativelychargedelectrons
Attract tocausetodrawnearoradherebyphysicalforce
Axis animaginarylinethroughabody,aboutwhichitrotates
Bargraph agraphconsistingofparallel,usuallyverticalbarsorrectangleswithlengths
proportionaltothefrequencywithwhichspecifiedquantitiesoccurinasetofdata
Bias statisticalsamplingortestingerrorcausedbysystematicallyfavoringsomeoutcomes
overothers
Biosphere asinglecell,suchasaDcell,thatproducesanelectriccurrent
Bodysystem agroupoforgansorstructureswithinthebodythatworktogethertoperformoneor
morespecificfunctions
Boilingpoint thetemperatureatwhichaliquidboilsatafixedpressure,especiallyunderstandard
atmosphericconditions
Brain theportionofthevertebratecentralnervoussystemthatisenclosedwithinthecranium,
continuouswiththespinalcord,andcomposedofgraymatterandwhitematter.Itisthe
primarycenterfortheregulationandcontrolofbodilyactivities,receivingand
interpretingsensoryimpulses,andtransmittinginformationtothemusclesandbody
organs.Itisalsotheseatofconsciousness,thought,memory,andemotion
Capacity themaximumamountthatcanbecontained

ScienceGlossaryofTerms
Carbohydrate anyofagroupoforganiccompoundsthatincludessugars,starches,celluloses,andgums
andservesasamajorenergysourceinthedietofanimals.Thesecompoundsare
producedbyphotosyntheticplantsandcontainonlycarbon,hydrogen,andoxygen,
usuallyintheratio1:2:1
Cell thesmalleststructuralandfunctionalunitofanorganism.
Celldivision theprocessinreproductionandgrowthbywhichacelldividestoformdaughtercells
Cellularrespiration theseriesofmetabolicprocessesbywhichlivingcellsproduceenergythroughthe
oxidationoforganicsubstances.
Celsius oforrelatingtoatemperaturescalethatregistersthefreezingpointofwateras0and
theboilingpointas100undernormalatmosphericpressure
Centimeter metricunitoflengthequalto1/100ofameter
Characteristic afeaturethathelpstoidentify,tellapart,ordescriberecognizably;adistinguishingtrait
Chemicalchange achangeinwhichthesubstancespresentatthebeginningofthechangearenot
presentattheend;newsubstancesareformed.Thechangecannotbeundone
Chemicalformula arepresentationofasubstanceusingsymbolstorepresentconstituentelements
Chloroplast astructureinalgalandgreenplantcellswhichcontainschlorophyllandinwhich
photosynthesistakesplace
Chromosome athreadlikestructurefoundinthenucleiofmostlivingcells,carryinggenetic
informationintheformofgenes
Circuit apathfollowedorcapableofbeingfollowedbyanelectriccurrent
Circulation movementinacircleorcircuit
Circulatorysystem thebodysystemthatcirculatesbloodthroughthebody,consistingoftheheartand
bloodvessels
Classificationsystem anorganizedstructureorsystemforarrangingthingsintotwoormoregroups,usingtwo
ormorecharacteristics
Climate meteorologicalconditionsincludingtemperature,precipitation,andwindwhich
characteristicallyprevailinaparticularregion
Cohesion theintermolecularattractionbywhichtheelementsofabodyareheldtogether
Community agroupofinterdependentplantsoranimalsgrowingorlivingtogetheroroccupyinga
specifiedhabitat
Component asinglepartofalargersystem

ScienceGlossaryofTerms(continued)
Compound apure,macroscopicallyhomogeneoussubstanceconsistingofatomsorionsoftwoor
moredifferentelementsindefiniteproportionsthatcannotbeseparated
byphysicalmeans.Acompoundusuallyhaspropertiesunlikethoseofitsconstituent
elements
Condensation theprocessbywhichagasorvaporchangestoaliquid
Conduction thetransmissionorconveyingofsomethingthroughamediumorpassage,especially
thetransmissionofelectricchargeorheatthroughaconductingmedium
withoutperceptiblemotionofthemediumitself
Conductor asubstanceormediumthatconductsanelectriccharge
Conservationofenergy aprinciplestatingthatthetotalenergyofanisolatedsystemremainsconstant
regardlessofchangeswithinthesystem
Conservationofmass aprincipleinclassicalphysicsstatingthatthetotalmassofanisolatedsystemis
unchangedbyinteractionofitsparts
Conservationofmatter afundamentalprincipleofclassicalphysicsthatmattercannotbecreatedor
destroyedinanisolatedsystem
Constant anexperimentalortheoreticalcondition,factor,orquantitythatdoesnotvaryorthat
isregardedasinvariantinspecifiedcircumstances
Consumer anorganismthatcannotmakeitsownfoodandmusteatinordertosurvive
Controlledexperiment anexperimentthatisolatestheeffectofonevariableonasystembyholdingconstant
allvariablesbuttheoneunderobservation
Convection heattransferinagasorliquidbythecirculationofcurrentsfromoneregionto
another
Corioliseffect resultofanapparentforcethatasaresultoftheEarth'srotationdeflectsmoving
objects(asprojectilesoraircurrents)totherightinthenorthernhemisphere
andtotheleftinthesouthernhemisphere
Crust solid,outermostlayeroftheEarth,lyingabovethemantle
Data factualinformation(asmeasurementsorstatistics)usedasabasisforreasoning,
discussion,orcalculation
Decomposer anorganismthatbreaksdownorganicmaterialsintheenvironment
Decomposition breakdownordecayoforganicmaterials
Density themassofasubstanceperunitvolume
Dependentvariable theobservedormeasuredvariableinanexperimentorstudywhosechangesare
determinedbythepresenceofoneormoreindependentvariables
Composition thecombiningofdistinctpartsorelementstoformawhole

Deposition thelayingdownofmatterbyanaturalprocess
Development theprocessofanindividualorganismgrowingorganically;apurelybiologicalunfolding
ofeventsinvolvedinanorganismchanginggraduallyfromasimpletoamorecomplex
level
Digestivesystem bodysystemconsistingofthealimentarycanalanddigestiveglandsandresponsiblefor
theingestion,digestion,andabsorptionoffood
Dominant anallelethatproducesthesamephenotypiceffectwhetherinheritedwitha
homozygousorheterozygousallele
Earth thethirdplanetfromthesun
Earthsmaterial anysubstanceoccurringnaturallyonEarth,suchaswater,soil,rocks,etc
Eclipse thepartialorcompleteobscuring,relativetoadesignatedobserver,ofonecelestial
bodybyanother
Ecosystem abiologicalcommunityofinteractingorganismsandtheirphysicalenvironment
Electricity aformofenergyresultingfromtheexistenceofchargedparticles(suchaselectronsor
protons),eitherstaticallyasanaccumulationofchargeordynamicallyasacurrent
Electromagnetic pertainingtoorexhibitingmagnetismproducedbyelectricchargeinmotion;
"electromagneticenergy"
Electron anelementaryparticleinallatomsthathasanegativecharge
Element asubstancecomposedofatomshavinganidenticalnumberofprotonsineachnucleus;
elementscannotbereducedtosimplersubstancesbynormalchemicalmeans
Embryo anorganisminitsearlystagesofdevelopment,especiallybeforeithasreacheda
distinctivelyrecognizableform
Energy thecapacityofaphysicalsystemtodowork
Environment thecomplexofphysical,chemical,andbioticfactors(asclimate,soil,andlivingthings)
thatactuponanorganismoranecologicalcommunityandultimatelydetermineitsform
andsurvival
Equator theimaginarygreatcirclearoundtheEarth'ssurface,equidistantfromthepolesand
perpendiculartotheEarth'saxisofrotation;itdividestheearthintotheNorthern
HemisphereandtheSouthernHemisphere
Erosion thegroupofnaturalprocesses;includingweathering,dissolution,abrasion,corrosion,
andtransportation,bywhichmaterialiswornawayfromtheEarth'ssurface

Error differencebetweenacomputedormeasuredvalueandatrueortheoreticallycorrect
value
Evaporation toconvertorchangeintoavapor
Evidence informationacquiredthroughobjectiveexperience
Evolution agradualprocessinwhichsomethingchangesintoadifferentform
Explanation astatementbasedonscientificevidenceandlogicalargumentaboutcausesandeffects
orrelationshipsbetweenvariables
Foodchain asuccessionoforganismsinanecologicalcommunitythatconstitutesacontinuationof
foodenergyfromoneorganismtoanotheraseachusuallyconsumesalowermember
andinturnispreyeduponbyahighermember
Foodweb acomplexofinterrelatedfoodchainsinanecologicalcommunity
Force aninfluencetendingtochangethemotionofabodyorproducemotionorstressina
stationarybody;apushorapull
Fossil aremnantortraceofanorganismofapastgeologicage,suchasaskeletonorleaf
imprint,embeddedandpreservedintheearth'scrust
Friction aforcethatresiststherelativemotionortendencytosuchmotionoftwobodiesin
contact
Fruit theripenedovaryorovariesofaseedbearingplant
Function theroleorpurposeofastructure
Galaxy anyofnumerouslargescaleaggregatesofstars,gas,anddustthatconstitutethe
universe
Gas thestateofmatterdistinguishedfromthesolidandliquidstatesbyrelativelylowdensity
andviscosity,relativelygreatexpansionandcontractionwithchangesinpressureand
temperature,theabilitytodiffusereadily,andthespontaneoustendencytobecome
distributeduniformlythroughoutanycontainer
Gene hereditaryunitconsistingofasequenceofDNAthatoccupiesaspecificlocationona
chromosomeanddeterminesaparticularcharacteristicinanorganism
Germination thebeginningofdevelopmentofaseedafteraperiodofdormancyorrest
Gram thebasicunitofmassinthemetricsystem

Gravity theforcethatattractsabodytowardsthecenteroftheearth,ortowardsanyother
physicalbodyhavingmass
Habitat theareaorenvironmentwhereanorganismorecologicalcommunitynormallylivesor
occurs
Heart thechamberedmuscularorganinvertebratesthatpumpsbloodreceivedfromtheveins
intothearteries,therebymaintainingtheflowofbloodthroughtheentirecirculatory
system
Heat aformofenergyassociatedwiththemotionofatomsormoleculesandcapableofbeing
transmittedthroughsolidandfluidmediabyconductionthroughfluidmediaby
convection,andthroughemptyspacebyradiation
Heredity genetictransmissionofcharacteristicsfromparenttooffspring
Hypothesis atentativeexplanationforanobservation
Igneous rocksormineralsformedbythecoolingandhardeningofmagmaormoltenlava
Implication aprobableconsequence
Independentvariable amanipulatedvariableinanexperimentorstudywhosepresenceordegreedetermines
thechangeinthedependentvariable
Inheritance genetictransmissionofcharacteristicsfromparenttooffspring
Insulator amaterialthatpreventstheflowofelectricity
Internalbalance balancewithinanorganismofitsinternalenvironment
Intestines theportionofthealimentarycanalextendingfromthestomachtotheanusand,in
humansandothermammals,consistingoftwosegments,thesmallintestineandthe
largeintestine
Kidneys pairoforgansinthedorsalregionofthevertebrateabdominalcavity,functioningto
maintainproperwaterandelectrolytebalance,regulateacidbaseconcentration,and
filterthebloodofmetabolicwastes,whicharethenexcretedasurine
Kilogram metricunitequaling1000grams
Kinetic relatingtothemotionofanobject:e.g.kineticenergyistheenergypossessedbyan
objectbecauseofitsmotion
Landform arecognizable,naturallyformedfeatureontheEarth'ssurface.Landformshavea
characteristicshapeandcanincludesuchlargefeaturesasplains,plateaus,mountains,
andvalleys,aswellassmallerfeaturessuchashills,eskers,andcanyons
Length thedistanceofsomethingfromendtoend,usuallythelongestdimension
Lifecycle thecourseofdevelopmentalchangesinanorganismfromfertilizedzygotetomaturity
whenanotherzygotecanbeproduced

Lifestage thestagesorformsthataninsectgoesthroughasitisdeveloping;egg,larva,pupa,adult
Light electromagneticradiationthatcanproduceavisualsensation
Linegraph adiagramthatexhibitsarelationship,oftenfunctional,betweentwosetsofnumbersasa
setofpointshavingcoordinatesdeterminedbytherelationship.Alsocalledplot
Liquid thestateofmatterinwhichasubstanceexhibitsacharacteristicreadinesstoflow,little
ornotendencytodisperse,andrelativelyhighincompressibility
Liter basicunitoffluidvolumeinthemetricsystem
Liver alarge,reddishbrown,glandularvertebrateorganlocatedintheupperrightportionof
theabdominalcavitythatsecretesbileandisactiveintheformationofcertainblood
proteinsandinthemetabolismofcarbohydrates,fats,andproteins
Living alive,havinglife,notdead
Locomotion movement
Lungs thetwospongy,saclikerespiratoryorgansinmostvertebrates,occupyingthechest
cavitytogetherwiththeheartandfunctioningtoremovecarbondioxidefromtheblood
andprovideitwithoxygen
Magnet anobjectthatstickstoiron
Magnetism thepropertydisplayedbymagnetsandproducedbythemotionofelectriccharges,which
resultsinattractionorrepulsionbetweenobjects
Magnitude relativesizeorextent
Mass thequantityofmatterwhichabodycontains,asmeasuredbyitsaccelerationundera
givenforceorbytheforceexertedonitbyagravitationalfield
Matter physicalsubstanceormaterialingeneral,thatwhichoccupiesspaceandpossessesmass
Measure toascertainthedimensions,quantity,orcapacityof
Mechanical relatingtotheactionofforcesonmaterialobjects
Metamorphic rocksalteredconsiderablyfromtheoriginalstructureandcompositionbypressureand
heat
Metamorphosis achangefromlarvatoadult
Meter metricunitoflength
Metric systemofweightsandmeasuresbasedonmultiplesoften

Milliliter oneonethousandthofaliter;1000millilitersequal1liter
Millimeter oneonethousandthofameter;1000millimetersequal1meter
Mineral anaturallyoccurring,homogeneousinorganicsolidsubstancehavingadefinite
chemicalcompositionandcharacteristiccrystallinestructure,color,andhardness
Mixture acompositionoftwoormoresubstancesthatarenotchemicallycombinedwitheach
otherandarecapableofbeingseparated
Model anexplanationorrepresentationofanobject,system,orprocess
thatcannotbeeasilystudied
Molecule thesimplestunitofachemicalcompoundthatcanexist,consistingoftwoormore
atomsheldtogetherbychemicalbonds
Moon(lunar)phases oneofthecyclicallyrecurringapparentformsofthemoon
Motion anaturaleventthatinvolvesachangeinthepositionorlocationofsomething
Movement theactoraninstanceofmoving;achangeinplaceorposition
Multicellular describesorganismsconsistingofmorethanonecell
Muscularsystem thebodysystemthatiscomposedofskeletal,smooth,andcardiacmuscletissueand
functionsinmovementofthebodyorofmaterialsthroughthebody,maintenanceof
posture,andheatproduction
Naturalresources amaterialsourceofwealth,suchastimber,freshwater,oramineraldeposit,that
occursinanaturalstateandhaseconomicvalue
Nervoussystem thesystemofcells,tissues,andorgansthatregulatesthebody'sresponsestointernal
andexternalstimuli.Invertebratesitconsistsofthebrain,spinalcordandnerves
Neutron aneutralelementaryparticleofaboutthesamemassasaproton
Nonliving notalive;referringtosomethingthathasneverbeenalive
Nonrenewableresource oforrelatingtoanenergysource,suchasoilornaturalgas,oranaturalresource,
suchasametallicore,thatisnotreplaceableafterithasbeenused
Nuclear relatingtoatomicnuclei;derivedfromtheenergyofatomicnuclei
Nutrient anysubstancethatcanbemetabolizedbyanorganismtogiveenergyandbuildtissue
Observation theactofmakingandrecordingameasurement
Opinion abelieforconclusionheldwithconfidencebutnotsubstantiatedbypositive
knowledgeorevidence

Orbit thepathofacelestialbodyoranartificialsatelliteasitrevolvesaroundanotherbody
Organism alivingthingthathas(orcandevelop)theabilitytoactorfunctionindependently
Organ structureofthebodythatperformsaparticularfunction
Parallelcircuit aclosedcircuitinwhichthecurrentdividesintotwoormorepathsbeforerecombiningto
completethecircuit
Particle averysmallpieceofmatter
Particulatemodel modelofmatterdescribingallmatterascomposedofparticleswithspaceinbetween
them;therelativedistancebetweenparticlesandthemotionoftheparticlescanbeused
toexplainthephasesofmatter(gas,liquid,solid)
Phasechange achangefromonestate(solidorliquidorgas)toanotherwithoutachangeinchemical
composition
Photosynthesis biochemicalprocessoftransforminglightenergyintostoredchemicalenergyintheform
ofglucose;chemicalformula6CO
2
+6H
2
0+lightenergy6O
2
+C
6
H
12
O
6
Physicalproperty propertyofasubstancethatcanbemeasuredwithoutalteringtheidentityofthe
substance
Planet anonluminouscelestialbodylargerthananasteroidorcomet
Plasma anelectricallyneutral,highlyionizedgascomposedofions,electrons,andneutral
particles.Itisaphaseofmatterdistinctfromsolids,liquids,andnormalgases.
Platetectonics atheorythatexplainstheglobaldistributionofgeologicalphenomenasuchasseismicity,
volcanism,continentaldrift,andmountainbuildingintermsoftheformation,
destruction,movement,andinteractionoftheearth'slithosphericplates
Pole eitherextremityofanaxisthroughasphere
Population alltheorganismsthatconstituteaspecificgrouporoccurinaspecifiedhabitat
Position placeorlocation
Potential theamountofenergyrequiredtomoveanobjectfromareferencepointtoadesignated
pointwithinagravitationalfield
Precipitation anyformofwatersuchasrain,snow,sleet,orhailwhichfallstotheearth'ssurface
Prediction astatementaboutwhatonethinkswillhappeninaninvestigation
Producer anorganism,suchasagreenplant,thatproducesitsownfood

Product asubstanceresultingfromachemicalreaction
Property somethingthatcanbeknownbylookingatorfeelinganobject;somethingonecan
observe
Proton anelementaryparticleinallatomsthathasapositivecharge
Qualitative involvingdistinctions,descriptions,orcomparisonsbasedonqualitiesthatcanbe
observedwithoutmeasurement(e.g.color,shape,appearance)
Quantitative involvingdistinctions,descriptions,orcomparisonsthatcanbequantifiedormeasured
Radiation emissionandpropagationandemissionofenergyintheformofraysorwaves
Ratio therelationshipbetweentwoquantitiesexpressedasthequotientofonedividedbythe
other
Receiver adevicethatreceiveselectricity
Recessive anallelethatdoesnotproduceacharacteristiceffectwhenpresentwithadominant
allele;atraitthatisexpressedonlywhenthedeterminingalleleispresentinthe
homozygouscondition
Record tosetdownforpreservationinwritingorotherpermanentform
Recycle toreprocess(somethingalreadyused)forfurtheruse
Reduce tomakesmallerorfewer
Renewableresource anynaturalresource(aswoodorsolarenergy)thatcanbereplenishednaturallywiththe
passageoftime
Repeat todoagain
Repel pushaway,assimilarpolesoftwomagnetspushawayfromoneanother
Respiratorysystem theorgansthatareinvolvedinbreathing;theseincludethenose,throat,larynx,trachea,
bronchi,andlungs.Alsocalledtherespiratorytract
Reuse touseagain
Resource availablesupplyofsomethingthatcanbedrawnuponwhenneeded
Rockcycle theprocessbywhichrocksarerecycledandchangedfromoneformofrocktoanother
Root thepartofaplantthatgrowsdownwardinthesoil.Rootsprovidesupportandtakeup
waterandnutrients
Rotation theactorprocessofturningaroundacenteroranaxis

Salinity therelativeproportionofsaltinasolution
Science theintellectualandpracticalactivityencompassingthesystematicstudyofthestructure
andbehaviorofthephysicalandnaturalworldthroughobservationandexperiment
Sediment materialthathasbeendepositedbywater,iceorwind
Sedimentary rocksformedwhensedimentisdepositedandbecomestightlycompacted
Seriescircuit anelectriccircuitconnectedsothatcurrentpassesthrougheachcircuitelementinturn
Shelter somethingthatprovidescoverorprotection
Skeleton hardinnerframeworkofbonesinsideananimalthatprovidesshape,support,and
protection
Skin flexibleorganthatcoversthebodyandprotectsit
Soil thetoplayeroftheearth'ssurface,consistingofrockandmineralparticlesmixedwith
organicmatter
Solarsystem asystemofplanetsorotherbodiesorbitinganotherstar
Solid thestateinwhichasubstancehasnotendencytoflowundermoderatestress;resists
forces(suchascompression)thattendtodeformit;andretainsadefinitesizeandshape
Solution homogeneousmixtureoftwoormoresubstances,whichmaybesolids,liquids,gases,or
Sort toarrangeaccordingtoclass,kind,orsize;classify
Sound vibrationstransmittedthroughanelasticsolidoraliquidorgas,capableofbeing
detectedbyhumanorgansofhearing
Source thepointordevicefromwhichelectricityflows
Space anemptyarea(usuallyboundedinsomewaybetweenthings);theexpanseinwhichthe
solarsystem,stars,andgalaxiesexist;theuniverse
Speed therateorameasureoftherateofmotion
Star acelestialbodyofhotgasesthatradiatesenergyderivedfromthermonuclearreactions
intheinterior
Stateofmatter thephysicalstatethatmatterexistsin;solid,liquidorgas

Staticelectricity electricitythatisgeneratedwhenoneobjectrubsagainstanotherobject;positiveand
negativeelectricchargesthatareseparatedfromeachotherandarenotmoving
Stem anystalksupportingleaves,flowers,orfruit
Stomach theenlarged,saclikeportionofthealimentarycanal,oneoftheprincipalorgansof
digestion,locatedinvertebratesbetweentheesophagusandthesmallintestine
Structure anyidentifiablepartofanorganism
Substance aparticularkindofmatterwithuniformproperties
Support tobeartheweightof;toholdinpositionsoastokeepfromfalling,sinking,orslipping
Switch deviceusedtoopenandclosecircuits
Surface theouterorthetopmostboundaryofanobject
System agroupofinteracting,interrelated,orinterdependentelementsformingacomplex
whole
Tchart agraphicorganizerwithtwocolumnsinwhichtheentryinonecolumnispairedwiththe
entryintheother
Table anorderlyarrangementofdata,especiallyoneinwhichthedataarearrangedin
columnsandrowsinanessentiallyrectangularform
Temperature ameasureoftheaveragekineticenergyoftheparticlesinasampleofmatter,expressed
intermsofunitsordegreesdesignatedonastandardscale
Testable abletobetestedorinvestigatedbyascientificinvestigation
Thermometer atoolusedtomeasuretemperature
Tissue aggregationofmorphologicallysimilarcellsandassociatedintercellularmatteracting
togethertoperformoneormorespecificfunctionsinthebody

Transfer toconveyorcausetopassfromoneplaceorthingtoanother
Universe allmatterandenergy,includingtheEarth,thegalaxies,andthecontentsofintergalactic
space,regardedasawhole
Variable afactororconditionthatcanchangeandmightaffecttheoutcomeofanexperiment.
Velocity avectorquantitywhosemagnitudeisabody'sspeedandwhosedirectionisthebody's
directionofmotion
Watercycle thecirculationoftheEarth'swater,inwhichwaterfromtheseaevaporates,forms
clouds,fallsasrainorsnow,andreturnstotheseabyrivers
Wavelength thedistancebetweenonepeakorcrestofawaveoflight,heat,orotherenergyandthe
nextcorrespondingpeakorcrest
Weathering anyofthechemicalormechanicalprocessesbywhichrocksexposedtotheweather
undergochangesincharacterandbreakdown
Weight theforcewithwhichabodyisattractedtoEarthoranothercelestialbody,equaltothe
productoftheobject'smassandtheaccelerationofgravity
Work thetransferofenergyfromonephysicalsystemtoanother,especiallythetransferof
energytoabodybytheapplicationofaforcethatmovesthebodyinthedirectionofthe
force
Year thetimetakenbytheEarthtomakeonerevolutionaroundthesun
Uplift upheaval;raisingsomethingtoahigherlevel
Volume theamountof3dimensionalspaceoccupiedbyanobject
Weather thestateoftheatmosphereatagiventimeandplace,withrespecttovariablessuchas
temperature,moisture,windvelocity,andbarometricpressure
Transform toconvertfromoneformtoanother
Unit astandardamountofaphysicalquantity,suchaslengthorenergy,usedtoexpress
magnitudesofthatquantity
Verify todetermineortesttheaccuracyof,asbycomparison,investigation,orreference

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