Unit Outline
*Process skills are embedded in all lessons but only indicated upon first introduction.
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Unit 1: Introduction
Approximate Teaching Time: 1 Week
TEKS
Lesson LearningGoal ContentProcess
1.1 Gateways
to Science Set up and organize a science notebook using a
rubric.
7.4A
1.2 Safety Identify appropriate safety
equipment and its uses. 7.1A
7.4B
Unit 2: Existence of Life and Environments
Approximate Teaching Time: 9 Weeks
TEKS
Lesson LearningGoal ContentProcess
2.1 What Allows Life to Exist? Analyze characteristics that
allow life to exist. 7.9A 7.3A
7.2E
2.2 DichotomousKey Identifyorganisms and their structures
using a
dichotomous key.
7.11A 7.2D
2.3 Schoolyard Microhabitat Observe and describe various organisms found in
schoolyard microhabitats.
7.10A 7.1A
7.1B
7.2A,C
7.4A–B
2.4 Environmentsand
Organisms
Identify and describe how different biomes contain a
different variety of organisms.
7.10A 7.2D–E
7.4A
2.5 Flow of Energy Create a food web and energy pyramid to
show
the
flow of energy.
7.5C 7.2C–E
7.4A
2.6 Biodiversity Describe how biodiversity helps an
ecosystem
survive.
7.10B 7.2E
2.7 Cycling of Matter Demonstrate and explain the cycling of matter within
living systems by investigating a compost bin, the
decay of seeds, and/or
collecting water test data
from an aquarium.
7.5B 7.2E
2.8 Variations
within Populations Explain variations that help
animals survive. 7.11B
7.13A
7.2E
2.9 Natural Selection Identify traits that have changed over
several
generations due to natural selection.
7.11C 7.2C–E
