Grade 07 Science - EC: S7.B.1.1.2
Grade 07 Science - EC: S7.B.1.1.2
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
Activities
- List three organelles found in a cell and describe their functions.
- Explain how the characteristics of a bald eagle help it survive.
- Summarize how oak trees get the water and nutrients they need to survive.
- Explain how the characteristics of a cactus help it survive in the desert. Would these characteristics be helpful or hurtful if the cactus was moved to a deciduous forest in Pennsylvania? Explain your thinking.
- What adaptations would be necessary for a cactus to survive in Pennsylvania? Explain why these adaptations would be necessary for survival.
Answer Key/Rubric
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Cell membrane: regulates movement of materials into and out of the cell
- Nucleus: holds the cell’s DNA
- Mitochondria: creates energy for the cell
- Vacuole: holds water, waste, or other materials within the cell
- Cell wall: gives a plant cell its rigid structure
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Sharp talons to catch prey
- Sharp talons to perch in trees
- Sharp talons and sharp beak to protect against predators
- Sharp beak to eat meat
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Tree roots absorb water.
- Xylem is a system of cells that carry water throughout the tree.
- Photosynthesis occurs in the leaves.
- Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis.
- Phloem is a system of cells that carry nutrients throughout the tree and to the leaves.
- The leaves will use energy from the sun and nutrients delivered by the phloem to create food for the tree.
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Cacti store moisture in their stem because they do not have leaves.
- Cacti absorb carbon dioxide at night when it is cooler.
- Some cacti have a ribbed surface that expands without splitting when a lot of water is absorbed.
- Cacti have a waxy surface with reduces evaporation and prevent insects from penetrating into the interior.
- Cacti also have spines that shade the skin, protect against animals, and insulate during cold or dry weather.
- These characteristics are not necessary in a deciduous forest, but they would not hurt the plant’s chance of survival.
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Take in carbon dioxide throughout the day – night temperatures may be too cold for cacti
- Grow leaves to gather more energy from sunlight for photosynthesis
- Ability to limit water intake – more water in PA than in the desert, too much water may kill the cactus
