Science Grade 7
Topic 1: Organisms and Environments
Topic 2: Earth and Space
compiled by Tony Romack MD
Created on: October 1, 2010
Last updated on: April 27, 2011
GENERAL RESOURCES: Science Grade 7
Internet Resources
Name of web page: Learning Science
Name of web page: Annenberg Learner
Name of web page: Understanding Science 101
Name of web page: The Teacher’s Guide
URL: http://www.theteachersguide.com/lessonplans.html
Description: This is a free site! It has lesson plans in science as well as several other content areas. This site also has links for software, whiteboards, and more – which are all free for teachers to use and/or download. Many of these files are teacher-created. Most of the material could be used for class or group experiments too.
Name of web page: Education World
URL: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/
Description: A large site with many content areas. All of it seems to be free although the amount of advertisements may not make that apparent. Lesson plans are a major focus. This site also has well-organized links. It is helpful in a supplemental role if used with a textbook or as extra/outside projects.
Name of web page: Discovery Education
URL: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/
Description: Another large site with many content areas. This site has logical, well-organized links. The major focus is on lesson plans. Everything I found here is free. The content is also up-to-date and the science is accurate as well as age-appropriate. There is a fair range of skill level material on this site.
Name of web page: Science Fair Projects
URL: http://www.super-science-fair-projects.com/
Description: This is another large site with many content areas, but it is not a strictly classroom topic. Many of the “science fair” projects also work well as classroom experiments for groups or individuals students. It also can add to specific lesson plans in several areas of science teaching.
Name of web page: Paper Airplanes Extraordinaire
URL: http://questgarden.com/86/07/1/100911142718/t-index.htm
Description: This is a webquest which does not fit well into the specific topics below, but which was included in the webliography for this class. It concerns physical science more than anything else. However, it has been one of the best liked topics and projects within this age group in my experience so far.
Videos World News
Name of video: Organisms (several titles; see description below)
Publisher: World News Network
Description: http://wn.com/organisms This has a wide selection of science videos on multiple topics. The length (time) of the videos varies widely but is published on the main page. These are all available for use in classroom settings as streaming video.
TOPIC ONE: Organisms and Environments
Internet Resources
Name of web page: Science Daily News – Plants and Animals
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/
Description: Science Daily is a large scale publication with many areas. It has peer-reviewed information from many, many sources as well. It is one of the most current sites on the internet for science information. This can be used for data research in all science areas.
Name of web page: Global Oneness
URL: http://www.experiencefestival.com/single-celled_organisms
Description: This site is the link page for a series of instructional websites similar to webquests. It also has links to related videos. It is part of a large information network which is not restricted to classroom use. It can be used as part of lesson plans and as supplemental material with textbooks.
Name of web page: Buzzle.com
URL: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/unicellular-organisms.html
Description: This site begins with the basics of classification, and progresses to more detailed information about many types of organisms. It includes information about how they are studied and so forth. The related articles are linked from this page and can be easily navigated.
Name of web page: Tutorvista.com
URL: http://www.tutorvista.com/biology/multicellular-organism
Description: This is a portal to online interactive tutorials on multiple science topics. Even without the added tutors, the lessons are clear and well-organized. They add to other materials and can also help clarify concepts for students who prefer online resources or self-study modalities.
Name of web page: Photosynthesis
URL: http://www.micro.siu.edu/micr425/425notes/08-photosynth.html
Description: This is almost a college classroom lecture in appearance but is well-written and covers core topics for grade 7 science students. It includes material above that grade level but nothing overly challenging. It is also part of a larger series of topics available from the same home site.
Name of web page: Prokaryotes
Description: Again, this site was written to include material at a higher than minimum for grade 7 students. Nonetheless this topic should include these concepts and this site explains them well for middle school students. It has links which are part of the main topic but which may also lead to other topics, similar to a webquest.
Computer Programs
Name of computer program: QuickStudy Biology
Publisher: Selectsoft Publishing
Description: http://www.alleducationalsoftware.com/xs33393.html This is an interactive program with modules on several content areas of biology. It is intended to cover a full year of core biology subjects even if used as a stand-alone module. It also includes quizzes to reinforce learning. It does not require the latest hardware/software to run, but is compatible.
Name of computer program: SuperStart Discover Science and theWonders of the World
Publisher: sqrsolutions
Description: http://www.alleducationalsoftware.com/xs39234.html This is an interactive program with modules on several content areas of biology. Other content areas are also included. It is age-appropriate for grades 3-8 overall. It does not require the latest hardware/software to run, but is compatible.
Videos
Name of video: Bill Nye the Science Guy on Evolution
Publisher: Youtube (PBS broadcast this originally.)
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbrVxrsBLuw
Description: This is available on youtube in multiple segments. Bill Nye does a good job of explaining the concepts behind evolution in an age-appropriate way. This is very good as supplemental material for textbooks and does not try to make any political statements in the process. Here is another site with links: http://www.billnye.com/for-kids-teachers/episode-guides/ This is available for use in classroom settings as streaming video.
Name of video: Bill Nye the Science Guy on Plants
Publisher: Youtube (PBS broadcast this originally.)
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVD6n5mOw2E&feature=related
Description: This is available on youtube in multiple segments. The ideas behind photosynthesis and animals’ dependence on plants is outlined well. This is very good as supplemental material for textbooks. Here is another site with links: http://www.billnye.com/for-kids-teachers/episode-guides/ This is available for use in classroom settings as streaming video.
TOPIC TWO: Earth and Space
Internet Resources
Name of web page: Atmospheric Science Program
Description: This is a government site and all content is free. It merges two previously separate agencies. Students can use this both to learn basics of atmosphere and environmental science content and to develop or even complete projects. Students could use data from this site for “off-site” research data, for instance.
Name of web page: World Wildlife Foundation
URL: http://www.worldwildlife.org/science/
Description: World Wildlife Foundation offers information from many projects. It covers many varied topics as well. All information found on this site is free. This would be helpful in both data-gathering and in applied science. It would be difficult to overstate how much material this site offers.
Name of web page: Human Frontier Space Program
URL: http://www.hfsp.org/
Description: This site has a great deal of real-world material on space exploration efforts and theories. It has high appeal to the science-fiction side of science study, and is motivating for those reasons as well as for its strong science content. All of this material is available for free use in a classroom setting.
Name of web page: Elementary Science Program
URL: http://www.espsciencetime.org/index.cfm
Description: This site has resources for younger students as well. It is organized into units, mostly by science topic. It is well-organized with many layers, all linked. Many of these resources apply to grades 7 & 8 as well. It may also help when some remedial science content is needed.
Name of web page: Science Daily – Space and Time News
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/space_time/
Description: Science Daily is one of the most comprehensive sites for all science areas. It features peer-reviewed information. It is also one of the most current sites. I personally surf it for updates in many areas. The material available covers a broad group of students needs as well.
Name of web page: Education World Science Standards
URL: http://www.educationworld.com/standards/national/science/5_8.shtml
Description: This is intended to help meet standards for science content, grades 5-8. It is based on national standards. This is helpful for state standards well. Plenty of topical information and links to more specific lesson plans can be found here. This site is about content, not just about meeting standards.
Computer Programs
Name of computer program: High Achiever Biology
Publisher: pc Treasures
Description: http://www.alleducationalsoftware.com/xs42278.html This program does have topics which are slightly advanced, and it is not specifically recommended for grade 7 students. However it does fit well with grade 7 topics and it makes concepts understood for students in this age group. It is compatible with a range of hardware and software.
Name of computer program: I Love Science!
Publisher: Doring Kindersley, DK
Description: http://www.alleducationalsoftware.com/xs26787.html This program is aimed at students from grades 3 to 8 and has characters who guide students through the many topics it covers. It is not restricted to plants and organisms. It includes projects and has online project ideas as well. It is compatible with a range of hardware and software.
Videos:
Name of video: Bill Nye the Science Guy – A Gravity Demonstration
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZi8TXtRRYg
Publisher: Youtube (PBS broadcast these originally.)
Description: Bill Nye has done many science demonstrations. This video duplicates Leonardo da Vinci’s original experiments. Leonardo dropped objects from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Bill uses a watermelon, a carton of milk, etc. All fall at the same rate!! This is available for use in classroom settings as streaming video.
Name of video: Bill Nye the Science Guy – The Distance Between Planets
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Ob0xR0Ut8&feature=related
Publisher: Youtube (PBS broadcast these originally.)
Description: Bill Nye uses near-scale models of each planet. He starts at the sun and rides a bicycle outward, passing each planet and leaving a scale object to represent the size as well as the distance. Nice visual representation for all ages. This is available for use in classroom settings as streaming video.