Grade 07 Science - EC: S7.A.1.3.2

Continuum of Activities

The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.

This continuum of activities offers:

Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
Questions/activities that grow in complexity
Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance

Grade Levels

7th Grade

Course, Subject

Science

Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content

S7.A.1.3.2 S7.A.1.3.2

Use evidence, observations, or explanations to make inferences about changes in systems over time (e.g., carrying capacity, succession, fossil evidence in the geologic time scale).

Activities

What is an inference?

What is an observation?

While searching for fossils at the top of a mountain, Shawn found a fossil of a fish. What can Shawn infer about the location of this fossil?

The population of deer is constantly changing over time in any given area. Why do you think this is happening?

When given photos of varying amounts of time after a forest fire, ask students to make inferences regarding the photos and provide details to back them up.

Answer Key/Rubric

An inference is based on observations and prior knowledge. By observing an object or event and applying your prior knowledge, you can make an inference.

An observation is based on facts. By studying an object or event with your five senses, you can make an observation.

Shawn can infer that the mountain was once under water.

Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

Population of deer may decrease due to lack of food.
Population of deer may decrease due to lack of shelter or space for the deer.
Once population declines, there is more food and space available so the population can increase again.
Sharp increase in population could be caused by a ban on hunting.
Hunting or deer killing program could cause sharp decrease in population.

Answers will vary depending on the photos used. Things to look for may include, but are not limited to:

Bark of the trees still charred?
Amount of grass that has grown.
Is there still debris on the ground?
Any new trees or shrubs growing?