1 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

SCIENCE

Grade 7: Unit 1

Science Practices and Engineering Design

2 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Course Philosophy/Description

The students in the seventh grade Science course will develop a conceptual understanding of Science topics using hands-on instruction, interactive

notebooking, observations of and interactions with natural phenomena and the use of engineering and design processes to identify problems, plan, test

and revise possible solutions. In Life Science, students will explore how organisms exchange energy within and across ecosystems and the critical role

of all living and nonliving elements of an ecosystem to its overall health. In Physical Science, students will explore the unique properties of matter and

how these properties cause matter to interact to create unique substances. In Earth Science, students will explore how geologic events and systems have

shaped both Earth’s physical structures and life forms.

Teachers may choose from a variety of instructional approaches that are aligned with Teachers may choose from a variety of instructional approaches

that are aligned with 3 dimensional learning to achieve this goal. These approaches include: 3 dimensional learning to achieve this goal.

These approaches include:

3 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

ESL Framework

This ESL framework was designed to be used by bilingual, dual language, ESL and general education teachers. Bilingual and dual language programs

use the home language and a second language for instruction. ESL teachers and general education or bilingual teachers may use this document to

collaborate on unit and lesson planning to decide who will address certain components of the SLO and language objective. ESL teachers may use the

appropriate leveled language objective to build lessons for ELLs which reflects what is covered in the general education program. In this way, whether

it is a pull-out or push-in model, all teachers are working on the same Student Learning Objective connected to the New Jersey Student Learning

Standards. The design of language objectives are based on the alignment of the World-Class Instructional Design Assessment (WIDA) Consortium’s

English Language Development (ELD) standards with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). WIDA’s ELD standards advance academic

language development across content areas ultimately leading to academic achievement for English learners. As English learners are progressing

through the six developmental linguistic stages, this framework will assist all teachers who work with English learners to appropriately identify the

language needed to meet the requirements of the content standard. At the same time, the language objectives recognize the cognitive demand required

to complete educational tasks. Even though listening and reading (receptive) skills differ from speaking and writing (expressive) skills across

proficiency levels the cognitive function should not be diminished. For example, an Entering Level One student only has the linguistic ability to respond

in single words in English with significant support from their home language. However, they could complete a Venn diagram with single words which

demonstrates that they understand how the elements compare and contrast with each other or they could respond with the support of their home language

(L1) with assistance from a teacher, para-professional, peer or a technology program.

http://www.state.nj.us/education/modelcurriculum/ela/ELLOverview.pdf

4 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Grade Seven Pacing Chart

Please note that pacing is based upon 240 minutes per 6 day cycle.

Student Learning Objective Instruction

Unit 1 Course Introduction with Engineering and

Design Practices

10 days

Unit 2 FOSS Populations and Ecosystems 55 days

Unit 3 FOSS Chemical Interactions 60 days

Unit 4 FOSS Earth History 50 days

Review & Final Assessment 5 days

5 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Unit 1 Summary

This 2-week introductory unit covers the engineering design process, investigation and structure and function, while intentionally building a

classroom community to facilitate management and learning for the year. Students will be introduced to interactive notebooking in science as a

learning tool. Academic skills include team building, collaborating, modeling and prototyping.

Student Learning Objectives

MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account

relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the

problem.

MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics

of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal

design can be achieved.

6 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Unit Sequence

Overarching Question: How do we talk and work together like engineers?

Concepts Formative Assessment

• Asking questions and defining problems in 6–8 builds on K–5

experiences and progresses to specifying relationships between

variables, and clarifying arguments and models.

• Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to

developing, using, and revising models to describe, test, and

predict more abstract phenomena and design systems.

• Planning and carrying out investigations in 6-8 builds on K-5

experiences and progresses to include investigations that use

multiple variables and provide evidence to support explanations

or solutions.

• Analyzing data in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses

to extending quantitative analysis to investigations,

distinguishing between correlation and causation, and basic

statistical techniques of data and error analysis.

• Mathematical and computational thinking in 6–8 builds on K–5

experiences and progresses to identifying patterns in large data

sets and using mathematical concepts to support explanations

and arguments.

• Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 6–8 builds

on K–5 experiences and progresses to include constructing

explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple

Students who understand the concepts are able to:

• Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena,

models, or unexpected results, to clarify and/or seek additional

information.

• Identify and/or clarify evidence and/or the premise(s) of an

argument.

• Determine relationships between independent and dependent

variables and relationships in models.

• Clarify and/or refine a model, an explanation, or an engineering

problem.

Use the Collaboration Team Rubric (in resource folder) to assist with

student self-assessment and goal setting.

7 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Unit Sequence

sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles,

and theories.

• Engaging in argument from evidence in 6–8 builds on K–5

experiences and progresses to constructing a convincing

argument that supports or refutes claims for either explanations

or solutions about the natural and designed world(s).

• Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information in 6–8

builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to evaluating the merit

and validity of ideas and methods.

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Learning Objective

and Standard

Essential Questions Sample Activities Resources

1.Develop expository

writing through

notebooking.

WHST.6-8.1

How can we set up a science

interactive notebook?

Notebook Foldables - in resource

folder

Interactive Notebooking PPT - in

resource folder

Teacher Perspectives: The Value of Science

Notebooking

Notebook Rubric - in resource folder

5 Good Reasons to Notebook - in resource

folder

Notebooking Folder - in resource folder

Setting Up Your Science Notebooks

2.Define problems,

develop possible

solutions.

MS-ETS1-1

How can working together to

solve a problem benefit us?

A Triangle of Letters - in resource

folder

A variety of other tasks/games can be

used to have students work together to

solve a problem. It is not

recommended that you make games

or tasks competitive at this point.

Cooperative Problem Solving

Sneak a Peek

Collaboration Team Rubric - in resource

folder

Introducing Inquiry and the Nature of

Science

in resource folder

Poster: Brainstorming Guidelines

http://content.teachengineering.org/

content/documents/BrainstormingGuidelines

_Poster_11x17_and_24x36.pdf

Cup Stack Challenge - in resource folder

Number Cube pattern - in resource folder

9 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Learning Objective

and Standard

Essential Questions Sample Activities Resources

Name Cube Pattern- in resource folder

Please note that Number Cubes and Cup

Stack Challenge may have been used last

year in previous classes.

3. Test and improve

designs after a series of

interactions.

MS-ETS1-2

How can failure lead to

innovation?

Ready Set Design Uses simple,

inexpensive materials and is an

effective tool for problem solving,

creative thinking and team building.

The Engineering Process- in resource

folder

Group Roles- in resource folder

What’s Great about Engineering Videos

http://pbskids.org/designsquad/

parentseducators/workshop/engineering.html

4. Analyze qualitative

and quantitative data to

identify relationships in

the data.

MS-ETS1-3; MS-

ETS1-4

How can the engineering

process fix a problem?

Task Card: Building a plane- in

resource folder

Teacher Overview #1- in resource

folder

Data Table- in resource folder

Discover Engineering

http://www.discovere.org/

Students should not launch planes in any

direction. There should be a designated area

and time to launch. This is to avoid a paper

plane to the eye.

10 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Part B- Storyline: You are an aeronautical engineer investigating designs for aeronautical devices. Your team will develop a prototype and model

showing a slow landing device.

Essential Question: Is there evidence that failure leads to innovation?

Concepts Formative Assessment

• Asking questions and defining problems in 6–8 builds on K–5

experiences and progresses to specifying relationships between

variables, and clarifying arguments and models.

• Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to

developing, using, and revising models to describe, test, and

predict more abstract phenomena and design systems.

• Planning and carrying out investigations in 6-8 builds on K-5

experiences and progresses to include investigations that use

multiple variables and provide evidence to support explanations

or solutions.

• Analyzing data in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and

progresses to extending quantitative analysis to investigations,

distinguishing between correlation and causation, and basic

statistical techniques of data and error analysis.

• Mathematical and computational thinking in 6–8 builds on K–5

experiences and progresses to identifying patterns in large data

sets and using mathematical concepts to support explanations

and arguments.

• Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 6–8 builds

on K–5 experiences and progresses to include constructing

explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple

Students who understand the concepts are able to:

• Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena,

models, or unexpected results, to clarify and/or seek additional

information.

• Identify and/or clarify evidence and/or the premise(s) of an

argument.

• Determine relationships between independent and dependent

variables and relationships in models.

• Clarify and/or refine a model, an explanation, or an engineering

problem.

11 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles,

and theories.

• Engaging in argument from evidence in 6–8 builds on K–5

experiences and progresses to constructing a convincing

argument that supports or refutes claims for either explanations

or solutions about the natural and designed world(s).

Learning Objective and

Standard

Essential Questions Sample Activities Resources

1.Think critically and logically

to make relationships between

evidence and explanations

WHST.6-8.1

Guiding Question: How do

we talk and work together

like engineers?

Why do you think a hang-

glider or parachute works?

The Quiet Brainstorm- in

resource folder

Introduce & practice the

Quiet Brainstorm with a

non-academic topic

Teacher Overview #2- in

resource folder

Task Card: Build a Lander-

in resource folder

Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning Rubric - in

resource folder

Scholastic reading Air-dropping Food

Videos: Air-Drop Supply

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbhE_r46iuU

Video: British planes dropping aid

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround

/28740206

2. Develop a model and

prototype of a lander using the

engineering design process.

MS-ETS1-1

How can we create and

design a prototype that will

solve a problem?

Group Roles- in resource

folder

Describe main structural

features for the lander your

team might include. Use

evidence based on your

previous experience(s).

Readings:

Lockheed Martin WindTracer

system to improve airdrop accuracy

12 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Learning Objective and

Standard

Essential Questions Sample Activities Resources

Design Graphic Organizer-

in resource folder

Amazon delivery drones are just the first step to a

highway in the sky.

Talking to Text and Annotating - in resource

folder

3. Analyze and interpret data to

develop solutions to the

problem and improve the

prototype design.

MS-ETS1-2

How can we use data to

influence our redesign?

Resource Sheet :Formative

Assessment

Concept Map Template

Vocabulary- in resource folder

4.Redesign the lander prototype

with solutions

MS-ETS1-3

How can the engineering

design process help fix a

problem?

Construct an argument that

explains how failure leads to

innovation.

Construct a prototype that

meets all the dimension and

weight constraints.

Like an Engineer Rubric - in

resource folder

The Engineering Design Process

https://www.teachengineering.org

/K12Engineering/DesignProcess

Extension: The Principles of Flight

http://static.nsta.org/files/ss0010_24.pdf

13 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Vocabulary

Innovation

Evidence

Reasoning

Engineering Design

Prototype

Observation

Structure and Function

Inference

Cause and Effect

Collaboration

Systems

Claim

14 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Final Project

Lander development and testing meets the requirements for a final project for this unit.

15 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Field Trip Ideas

Teterboro Airport Museum

New York Hall of Science

16 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

What It Looks Like in the Classroom

Unit one will reinforce students’ previous experience with interactive science notebooking. Students will set up notebooks to provide documentation

of their thinking, which can be used to guide instruction. Students will have the opportunity to use various forms of expository writing-procedural

writing, narrative writing, descriptive writing, labeling, as well as to create visuals, graphs, tables, diagrams and charts. Students are introduced to

scientific argumentation with exercises on writing claims, using evidence to support your claim and explaining the reasoning behind their claim.

Instruction should result in students being able to use arguments based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation.

Task one will answer the question “How do we talk and work together like engineers?” Students will assume responsibility for continual self-

improvement and develop a model and prototype of a paper airplane using the engineering design process. They will gather data by measuring the

tower prototype and identify a structural problem in the tower prototype and propose solutions.

Students will explore, through the development and use of models what it means to be an engineer. After the constraints and criteria have been

identified, students can them generate possible solutions. Multiple solutions could be generated. Using the evidence collected during their research,

as well as information they have learned as a part of their classroom experience, students can eliminate the solutions that seem least likely to be

successful and focus on those that are more likely to be successful. Students will also analyze and interpret data collected.

After students have identified the solutions that are most likely to be successful, they will evaluate their competing design solutions using a rubric,

checklist, or decision tree to assist them in selecting the design solution they will take into the next phase of the process. The final goal is for students

to identify the parts of each design solution that best fit their criteria and combine these parts into a design solution that is better than any of its

predecessors.

17 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Differentiated Instruction

Teacher Note: Teachers identify the modifications that they will use in the unit.

Restructure lesson using UDL principles (http://www.cast.org/our-work/about-udl.html#.VXmoXcfD_UA)

Structure lessons around questions that are authentic, relate to students’ interests, social/family background and knowledge of their

community.

Provide students with multiple choices for how they can represent their understandings (e.g. multisensory techniques-auditory/visual aids;

pictures, illustrations, graphs, charts, data tables, multimedia, modeling).

Provide opportunities for students to connect with people of similar backgrounds (e.g. conversations via digital tool such as SKYPE, experts

from the community helping with a project, journal articles, and biographies).

Provide multiple grouping opportunities for students to share their ideas and to encourage work among various backgrounds and cultures

(e.g. multiple representation and multimodal experiences).

Engage students with a variety of Science and Engineering practices to provide students with multiple entry points and multiple ways to

demonstrate their understandings.

Use project-based science learning to connect science with observable phenomena.

Structure the learning around explaining or solving a social or community-based issue.

Provide ELL students with multiple literacy strategies.

Collaborate with after-school programs or clubs to extend learning opportunities.

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Interdisciplinary Connections

English Language Arts/Literacy

Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.RST.6-8.1

Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

RST.6-8.2

Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.RI.6.8

Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text,

using credible sources WHST.6-8.1

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and

analysis of relevant content. WHST.6-8.2

Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. WHST.6-8.9

Mathematics

Understand that a set of data collected to answer a statistical question has a distribution which can be described by its center, spread, and

overall shape. 6.SP.A.2

19 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Educational Technology Standards

8.1.8.A.1, 8.1.8.B.1, 8.1.8.C.1, 8.1.8.D.1, 8.1.8.E.1, 8.1.8.F.1

Technology Operations and Concepts

Create professional documents (e.g., newsletter, personalized learning plan, business letter or flyer) using advanced features of a word

processing program.

Example Create a brochure to advertise your levee design.

Creativity and Innovation

Synthesize and publish information about a local or global issue or event on a collaborative, web-based service.

Example: Publish a blog regarding hurricane preparedness.

Communication and Collaboration

Participate in an online learning community with learners from other countries to understand their perspectives on a global problem or issue,

and propose possible solutions.

Example: Use empatico.org to collaborate with students from other countries who have experienced hurricanes.

Digital Citizenship

Model appropriate online behaviors related to cyber safety, cyber bullying, cyber security, and cyber ethics.

Example: Use Diigo.com to have a monitored and appropriate online conversation about an article.

Research and Information Literacy

Gather and analyze findings using data collection technology to produce a possible solution for a content-related or real-world problem.

Example: Use NOAA or AMS websites to gather data about hurricane frequency, location, etc.

20 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Decision Making

Use an electronic authoring tool in collaboration with learners from other countries to evaluate and summarize the perspectives of other

cultures about a current event or contemporary figure.

Example: Utilize Voicethread to create a narrative account of a hurricane event.

21 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Career Ready Practices

Career Ready Practices describe the career-ready skills that all educators in all content areas should seek to develop in their students. They are

practices that have been linked to increase college, career, and life success. Career Ready Practices should be taught and reinforced in all career

exploration and preparation programs with increasingly higher levels of complexity and expectation as a student advances through a program of study.

CRP1. Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee Career-ready individuals understand the obligations and responsibilities of being a

member of a community, and they demonstrate this understanding every day through their interactions with others. They are conscientious of the impacts of

their decisions on others and the environment around them. They think about the near-term and long-term consequences of their actions and seek to act in

ways that contribute to the betterment of their teams, families, community and workplace. They are reliable and consistent in going beyond the minimum

expectation and in participating in activities that serve the greater good.

Example: Participate as an active an ethical member of class discussions and projects. Teacher can explore how decision making and behaviors can impact

the broader community in specific science related examples, such as limiting littering, choosing to recycle, etc.

CRP4. Communicate clearly and effectively and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas, and action plans with clarity,

whether using written, verbal, and/or visual methods. They communicate in the workplace with clarity and purpose to make maximum use of their own and

others’ time. They are excellent writers; they master conventions, word choice, and organization, and use effective tone and presentation skills to articulate

ideas. They are skilled at interacting with others; they are active listeners and speak clearly and with purpose. Career-ready individuals think about the

audience for their communication and prepare accordingly to ensure the desired outcome.

Example: Students can develop and present well supported arguments via short presentations, during group work and gallery walks.

CRP5. Consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of decisions.

Career-ready individuals understand the interrelated nature of their actions and regularly make decisions that positively impact and/or mitigate negative

impact on other people, organization, and the environment. They are aware of and utilize new technologies, understandings, procedures, materials, and

regulations affecting the nature of their work as it relates to the impact on the social condition, the environment and the profitability of the organization.

Example: Participate as an active an ethical member of class discussions and projects. Teacher can explore how decision making and behaviors can impact

the broader community in specific science related examples, such as limiting littering, choosing to recycle, etc.

CRP6. Demonstrate creativity and innovation.

22 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Career Ready Practices

Career-ready individuals regularly think of ideas that solve problems in new and different ways, and they contribute those ideas in a useful and productive

manner to improve their organization. They can consider unconventional ideas and suggestions as solutions to issues, tasks or problems, and they discern

which ideas and suggestions will add greatest value. They seek new methods, practices, and ideas from a variety of sources and seek to apply those ideas to

their own workplace. They take action on their ideas and understand how to bring innovation to an organization.

Example: Engineering tasks provide many opportunities for students to use creative and innovative approaches.

CRP8. Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the

workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem. They are aware of problems when they occur and take

action quickly to address the problem; they thoughtfully investigate the root cause of the problem prior to introducing solutions. They carefully consider the

options to solve the problem. Once a solution is agreed upon, they follow through to ensure the problem is solved, whether through their own actions or the

actions of others.

Example: Gather evidence to support a claim and identify reasoning that is being applied.

CRP11. Use technology to enhance productivity. Career-ready individuals find and maximize the productive value of existing and new technology to

accomplish workplace tasks and solve workplace problems. They are flexible and adaptive in acquiring new technology. They are proficient with ubiquitous

technology applications. They understand the inherent risks-personal and organizational-of technology applications, and they take actions to prevent or

mitigate these risks.

Example: Utilize Google Apps for Education suite to access and complete assignments. The teacher can use Google Classroom to identify age and subject

appropriate resource materials that can be linked directly. A variety of apps or web based platforms (Tellagami, PowToons, Glogster, Padlet) can be used to

generate multimedia content.

CRP12. Work productively in teams while using cultural global competence. Career-ready individuals positively contribute to every team, whether

formal or informal. They apply an awareness of cultural difference to avoid barriers to productive and positive interaction. They find ways to increase the

engagement and contribution of all team members. They plan and facilitate effective team meetings.

Example: Students must be given regular opportunities to work with groups in a variety of settings for discussion, projects, etc.

23 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

WIDA Proficiency Levels: At the given level of English language proficiency, English language learners will process, understand, produce or use:

6- Reaching

● Specialized or technical language reflective of the content areas at grade level ● A variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in extended oral or written discourse as required by the

specified grade level ● Oral or written communication in English comparable to proficient English peers

5- Bridging

● Specialized or technical language of the content areas ● A variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in extended oral or written discourse, including stories,

essays or reports ● Oral or written language approaching comparability to that of proficient English peers when presented with grade level

material.

4- Expanding

● Specific and some technical language of the content areas ● A variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in oral discourse or multiple, related sentences or paragraphs ● Oral or written language with minimal phonological, syntactic or semantic errors that may impede the communication,

but retain much of its meaning, when presented with oral or written connected discourse, with sensory, graphic or interactive support

3- Developing

● General and some specific language of the content areas ● Expanded sentences in oral interaction or written paragraphs ● Oral or written language with phonological, syntactic or semantic errors that may impede the communication, but retain

much of its meaning, when presented with oral or written, narrative or expository descriptions with sensory, graphic or interactive support

2- Beginning

● General language related to the content area ● Phrases or short sentences ● Oral or written language with phonological, syntactic, or semantic errors that often impede of the communication when

presented with one to multiple-step commands, directions, or a series of statements with sensory, graphic or interactive support

1- Entering

● Pictorial or graphic representation of the language of the content areas ● Words, phrases or chunks of language when presented with one-step commands directions, WH-, choice or yes/no

questions, or statements with sensory, graphic or interactive support

24 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

25 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

26 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Examples

Everyone has a Voice: Create a classroom environment where students know that their contributions are expected and valued.

Example: Norms for sharing are established that communicate a growth mindset for mathematics. All students are capable of expressing mathematical

thinking and contributing to the classroom community. Students learn new ways of looking at problem solving by working with and listening to each other.

Run Problem Based Learning Scenarios: Encourage scientifically productive discourse among students by presenting problems that are relevant to them,

the school and /or the community.

Example: Using a Place Based Education (PBE) model, students explore science concepts while determining ways to address problems that are pertinent to

their neighborhood, school or culture.

Encourage Student Leadership: Create an avenue for students to propose problem solving strategies and potential projects.

Example: Students can deepen their understanding of engineering criteria and constraints by creating design challenges together and deciding if the

problems fit the necessary criteria. This experience will allow students to discuss and explore their current level of understanding by applying the concepts to

relevant real-life experiences.

Present New Concepts Using Student Vocabulary: Use student diction to capture attention and build understanding before using academic terms.

Example: Teach science vocabulary in various modalities for students to remember. Use multi-modal activities, analogies, realia, visual cues, graphic

representations, gestures, pictures and cognates. Directly explain and model the idea of vocabulary words having multiple meanings. Students can create the

Word Wall with their definitions and examples to foster ownership.

27 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

APPENDIX F

Science and Engineering Practices in the NGSS

Science and Engineering Practices

The performance expectations above were developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science

Education:

Science and Engineering Practices Disciplinary Core Ideas Crosscutting Concepts

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Use an oral and written

argument supported by empirical

evidence and scientific reasoning to

support or refute an explanation or a

model for a phenomenon or a solution

to a problem.

Constructing Explanations and

Designing Solutions

Construct a scientific

explanation based on valid and

reliable evidence obtained from

sources (including the students’ own

experiments) and the assumption that

ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting

Engineering Problems

The more precisely a design task’s

criteria and constraints can be defined,

the more likely it is that the designed

solution will be successful.

Specification of constraints includes

consideration of scientific principles

and other relevant knowledge that are

likely to limit possible solutions. (MS-

ETS1-1)

ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions

A solution needs to be tested, and then

modified on the basis of the test results,

Cause and Effect

Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict

phenomena in natural systems.

Phenomena may have more than one cause, and some

cause and effect relationships in systems can only be

described using probability.

Structure and Function

Complex and microscopic structures and systems can

be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their

function depends on the relationships among its parts;

therefore complex natural structures/systems can be

analyzed to determine how they function.

28 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Science and Engineering Practices Disciplinary Core Ideas Crosscutting Concepts

theories and laws that describe the

natural world operate today as they

did in the past and will continue to do

so in the future.

in order to improve it. (MS-ETS1-4)

There are systematic processes for

evaluating solutions with respect to

how well they meet the criteria and

constraints of a problem. (MS-ETS1-

2), (MS-ETS1-3)

Sometimes parts of different solutions

can be combined to create a solution

that is better than any of its

predecessors. (MS-ETS1-3)

Models of all kinds are important for

testing solutions. (MS-ETS1-4)

ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design

Solution

● Although one design may not perform

the best across all tests, identifying the

characteristics of the design that

performed the best in each test can

provide useful information for the

redesign process—that is, some of

those characteristics may be

incorporated into the new design. (MS-

ETS1-3)

Systems

Defining the system under study—specifying its

boundaries and making explicit a model of that

system—provides tools for understanding and testing

ideas that are applicable throughout science and

engineering.

29 | P a g e Grade Seven Unit One: Science Practices and Engineering Design Instructional Days: 10

Science and Engineering Practices Disciplinary Core Ideas Crosscutting Concepts

● The iterative process of testing the

most promising solutions and

modifying what is proposed on the

basis of the test results leads to greater

refinement and ultimately to an optimal

solution. (MS-ETS1-4)