LIFE
SCIENCE STRAND MATRIX |
Grade
Level |
Module |
Science
Concepts |
Thinking
Processes |
Module
Overview |
6-8 |
Diversity
of Life Course |
Cell Tissue
Organism Structure Function Behavior Adaptation System Interaction |
Inferring
Relating
Organizing
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students observe
and maintain protists, plants and animals and study their
characteristics. They make macroscopic to microscopic observations
to discover the cell. They investigate subsystems, behaviors,
adaptations and survival strategies. |
Populations
and Ecosystems Course |
Species Population
Ecosystem, Food chain Genetics Trait Natural selection |
Students raise
populations of organisms to discover population dynamics and
interactions over a range of conditions. They explore reproduction,
heredity, and natural selection as ways to understand variation
within and between organisms. |
Human Brain and
Senses Course |
Structure/Function Perception,
Stimulus/Response Receptor Neuron, Learning |
Students investigate how
the brain and senses acquire, interpret and respond to information.
Vision and touch are emphasized in investigations of the structure
and function of sensory organs, receptors and the brain. |
5-6 |
Environments
Module |
Environment
Organism Optimum Environmental factor Tolerance Preferred
environment Range |
Relating
Organizing
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students gain
experience with the major environmental factors in terrestrial
and aquatic systems. They organize and analyze data and relate
laboratory studies to natural systems. |
Food and Nutrition
Module |
Acid Nutrient Nutrition
Carbohydrate Indicator Fat Calorie Metabolism Chemical reaction |
Students investigate properties
of foods. They investigate the amounts of somenutritional
chemicals in foods and think about relationships between the
foods they eat and personal health. |
3-4 |
Structures
of
Life Module |
Fruit Seed
Change Property Growth Organism Crayfish Structure Behavior
Habitat Territory |
Advanced
Organizing
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students observe,
compare, and describe the properties of seeds and fruits and
the structures and behavior of crayfish. They organize their
observations though writing, drawing, and graphing. |
Human Body
Module |
Human skeleton Joint Bone
Contraction Articulation Movement Muscle structure/function
Coordination Reaction time Stimulus Response |
Students investigate the
human skeletal and muscle systems. They observe and compare
bones and muscles in their bodies, compare them to photographs,
and build models. |
1-2 |
Insects
Module |
Adult Change
Insect Larva Pupa Stage Habitat Nymph Egg Growth Caterpillar
Metamorphosis Chrysalis Butterfly |
Beginning
Organizing
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students study
some of the diversity of forms in insects and observe and
compare the differences in the life cycles and behaviors of
insects. |
New Plants
Module |
Life Cycle Germination
Grow Life cycle Living Plant structures Node Stem Bulb Root
Seed |
Students study some of
the diversity of forms in the plant kingdom. They observe
and describe the changes that occur as plants grow and develop. |
K |
Trees
Module |
Tree Living
Shape Branch Leaf Root Trunk |
Comparing
Communicating
Observing
|
Students observe,
compare, and describe the properties of trees and parts of
trees. |
Animals Two By
Two Module |
Animal Behavior Fish Living
Preference Habitat Aquarium Terrarium Structure Hatch Incubate |
Students observe, compare
and describe the structures of a variety of animals, including
fish, isopods, worms, and snails. |
(Full
Option Science System)