7th Grade
Reduce Video
Seventh Grade Curriculum
7.3.a. Science
Shaping Natural Systems through Evolution
By focusing primarily on a group of related fish species living in southeastern California, students learn that these species have developed unique adaptations to a physically demanding environment. Students explore these and other organisms native to California in order to understand the possible effects of changing environmental factors on evolution and diversity of organisms (in terms of genetic variation and natural selection).
7.3.e. Science Responding to Environmental Change
In this unit, students consider the relationship between environmental change and extinction. The ability to adapt and respond to environmental change determines a species' risk of extinction. Students examine the role that humans play in the process of environmental change and review the process of adaptation to examine the role adaptive characteristics play in the process of evolution. The students also learn that a species may or may not become extinct and how humans influence the natural processes of environmental change and extinction.
7.4.g. Science Extinction-Past and Present
This unit teaches students to understand past developments and extinctions on the geologic time scale, including the current Holocene Extinction--one of the largest extinction events in geologic history. Students explore how rates of extinction have varied in geologic time and that our own current extinction rates eclipse those of the past. This unit makes the study of events in geologic time relevant to current events. The unit examines patterns of the past and explores how they influence our thinking about the future of Earth.
7.2.5. History/ Social Science
Arabic Trade Networks: Growth and Expansions in the Middle Ages
Beginning with a look at the unique geographical features of the Arabian Peninsula, students explore the relationships between components of the natural system and the social systems of Arabia-specifically those related to trade and commerce. Students see that the growth and expansion of Arabic trade led to the growth and expansion of human populations and Medieval cities and towns along the trade routes. They learn about the diffusion of popular goods over this vast trade network and the devastating effect of the plague on Afroeuarasia's natural and social systems.
7.3.5. History/ Social Science
Genius Across the Centuries
This unit explores the influence of selected Chinese inventions and discoveries on the natural and human systems of medieval China and traces the influence of those discoveries on the modern world. Students study about early Chinese experimentation with things found in the world around them, which produced useful goods and services. Students also discover how continued investigation led to innovations that influenced both society and natural systems. They learn how Chinese
inventions have been disseminated into the modern world, influencing our production methods and consumption patterns.
7.6.3. History-Social Science
Managing Nature's Bounty: Feudalism in Medieval Europe
The direct connection between feudal relationships and the environment is examined by demonstrating how feudalism served as a mechanism for controlling access to and the use of ecosystem goods and services in medieval Europe. Using a modern example, the formation of the California Department of Fish and Game, students learn about the complexities of managing natural resources in California today, before turning their attention to the foundations of resource management that arose feudal Europe. Students explore life on feudal manors and at feudal markets, analyzing the connections between the ecosystem goods and service available and the placement of towns. In the final lesson, students explore feudal law in regards to access to and the use of natural resources and what it meant to be an "outlaw" in medieval times.
7.7.1. History-Social Science Sun Gods and Jaguar Kings
This unit teaches students that the diverse geography and natural resources of Central and South America set the stage for the rise of the first urban societies in this part of the world --those of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Students learn how the distribution of resources affected the location, land-use patterns, and settlement of locations within these landscapes. The development of social and political systems to control the production and flow of resources is discussed. These human systems and their interaction with the landscape set the stage for not only the growth of great civilizations, but for their eventual decline. Students recognize ways in which early Meso-American societies depended on goods and ecosystem services provided by natural systems.
7.7.3. History-Social Science
Broken Jade and Tarnished Gold
Building on students' understanding of the diverse and resource-rich regions of Central and South America, this unit explores the rise and fall of the Aztec and Inca empires. The lessons highlight how cultural values created the empires the Spanish witnessed, as well as the ways that Spanish values and history shaped their decisions in the Americas. Students begin the unit by learning how empires manage both human and natural resources in order to concentrate wealth and power. The perspectives of each of the three empires on resource use is examined, and the role of disease on the Spanish conquest explored. Through this unit, students learn more than the facts related to the conquest; they understand how multiple factors, particularly decisions regarding the use of natural resources, shaped this critical era.
7.3.a. Science
Shaping Natural Systems through Evolution
By focusing primarily on a group of related fish species living in southeastern California, students learn that these species have developed unique adaptations to a physically demanding environment. Students explore these and other organisms native to California in order to understand the possible effects of changing environmental factors on evolution and diversity of organisms (in terms of genetic variation and natural selection).
7.3.e. Science Responding to Environmental Change
In this unit, students consider the relationship between environmental change and extinction. The ability to adapt and respond to environmental change determines a species' risk of extinction. Students examine the role that humans play in the process of environmental change and review the process of adaptation to examine the role adaptive characteristics play in the process of evolution. The students also learn that a species may or may not become extinct and how humans influence the natural processes of environmental change and extinction.
7.4.g. Science Extinction-Past and Present
This unit teaches students to understand past developments and extinctions on the geologic time scale, including the current Holocene Extinction--one of the largest extinction events in geologic history. Students explore how rates of extinction have varied in geologic time and that our own current extinction rates eclipse those of the past. This unit makes the study of events in geologic time relevant to current events. The unit examines patterns of the past and explores how they influence our thinking about the future of Earth.
7.2.5. History/ Social Science
Arabic Trade Networks: Growth and Expansions in the Middle Ages
Beginning with a look at the unique geographical features of the Arabian Peninsula, students explore the relationships between components of the natural system and the social systems of Arabia-specifically those related to trade and commerce. Students see that the growth and expansion of Arabic trade led to the growth and expansion of human populations and Medieval cities and towns along the trade routes. They learn about the diffusion of popular goods over this vast trade network and the devastating effect of the plague on Afroeuarasia's natural and social systems.
7.3.5. History/ Social Science
Genius Across the Centuries
This unit explores the influence of selected Chinese inventions and discoveries on the natural and human systems of medieval China and traces the influence of those discoveries on the modern world. Students study about early Chinese experimentation with things found in the world around them, which produced useful goods and services. Students also discover how continued investigation led to innovations that influenced both society and natural systems. They learn how Chinese
inventions have been disseminated into the modern world, influencing our production methods and consumption patterns.
7.6.3. History-Social Science
Managing Nature's Bounty: Feudalism in Medieval Europe
The direct connection between feudal relationships and the environment is examined by demonstrating how feudalism served as a mechanism for controlling access to and the use of ecosystem goods and services in medieval Europe. Using a modern example, the formation of the California Department of Fish and Game, students learn about the complexities of managing natural resources in California today, before turning their attention to the foundations of resource management that arose feudal Europe. Students explore life on feudal manors and at feudal markets, analyzing the connections between the ecosystem goods and service available and the placement of towns. In the final lesson, students explore feudal law in regards to access to and the use of natural resources and what it meant to be an "outlaw" in medieval times.
7.7.1. History-Social Science Sun Gods and Jaguar Kings
This unit teaches students that the diverse geography and natural resources of Central and South America set the stage for the rise of the first urban societies in this part of the world --those of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Students learn how the distribution of resources affected the location, land-use patterns, and settlement of locations within these landscapes. The development of social and political systems to control the production and flow of resources is discussed. These human systems and their interaction with the landscape set the stage for not only the growth of great civilizations, but for their eventual decline. Students recognize ways in which early Meso-American societies depended on goods and ecosystem services provided by natural systems.
7.7.3. History-Social Science
Broken Jade and Tarnished Gold
Building on students' understanding of the diverse and resource-rich regions of Central and South America, this unit explores the rise and fall of the Aztec and Inca empires. The lessons highlight how cultural values created the empires the Spanish witnessed, as well as the ways that Spanish values and history shaped their decisions in the Americas. Students begin the unit by learning how empires manage both human and natural resources in order to concentrate wealth and power. The perspectives of each of the three empires on resource use is examined, and the role of disease on the Spanish conquest explored. Through this unit, students learn more than the facts related to the conquest; they understand how multiple factors, particularly decisions regarding the use of natural resources, shaped this critical era.
