§112.23. Science, Grade 7.

(a)  Introduction.

(1)  Science, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences, is the “use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process.” This vast body of changing and increasing knowledge is described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models. Students should know that some questions are outside the realm of science because they deal with phenomena that are not scientifically testable.

(2)  Scientific hypotheses are tentative and testable statements that must be capable of being supported or not supported by observational evidence. Hypotheses of durable explanatory power that have been tested over a wide variety of conditions become theories. Scientific theories are based on natural and physical phenomena and are capable of being tested by multiple, independent researchers. Students should know that scientific theories, unlike hypotheses, are well-established and highly reliable, but they may still be subject to change as new information and technologies are developed. Students should be able to distinguish between scientific decision-making methods and ethical/social decisions that involve the application of scientific information.

(3)  Grade 7 science is interdisciplinary in nature; however, much of the content focus is on organisms and the environment. National standards in science are organized as a multi-grade blocks such as Grades 5-8 rather than individual grade levels. In order to follow the grade level format used in Texas, the various national standards are found among Grades 6, 7, and 8. Recurring themes are pervasive in sciences, mathematics, and technology. These ideas transcend disciplinary boundaries and include change and constancy, patterns, cycles, systems, models, and scale.

(4)  The strands for Grade 7 include:

(A)  Scientific investigation and reasoning.

(i)  To develop a rich knowledge of science and the natural world, students must become familiar with different modes of scientific inquiry, rules of evidence, ways of formulating questions, ways of proposing explanations, and the diverse ways scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on evidence derived from their work.

(ii)  Scientific investigations are conducted for different reasons. All investigations require a research question, careful observations, data gathering, and analysis of the data to identify the patterns that will explain the findings. Descriptive investigations are used to explore new phenomena such as conducting surveys of organisms or measuring the abiotic components in a given habitat. Descriptive statistics include frequency, range, mean, median, and mode. A hypothesis is not required in a descriptive investigation. On the other hand, when conditions can be controlled in order to focus on a single variable, experimental research design is used to determine causation. Students should experience both types of investigations and understand that different scientific research questions require different research designs.

(iii)  Scientific investigations are used to learn about the natural world. Students should understand that certain types of questions can be answered by investigations, and the methods, models, and conclusions built from these investigations change as new observations are made. Models of objects and events are tools for understanding the natural world and can show how systems work. Models have limitations and based on new discoveries are constantly being modified to more closely reflect the natural world.

(B)  Matter and energy. Matter and energy are conserved throughout living systems. Radiant energy from the Sun drives much of the flow of energy throughout living systems due to the process of photosynthesis in organisms described as producers. Most consumers then depend on producers to meet their energy needs. Decomposers play an important role in recycling matter. Organic compounds are composed of carbon and other elements that are recycled due to chemical changes that rearrange the elements for the particular needs of that living system. Large molecules such as carbohydrates are composed of chains of smaller units such as sugars, similar to a train being composed of multiple box cars. Subsequent grade levels will learn about the differences at the molecular and atomic level.

(C)  Force, motion, and energy. Force, motion, and energy are observed in living systems and the environment in several ways. Interactions between muscular and skeletal systems allow the body to apply forces and transform energy both internally and externally. Force and motion can also describe the direction and growth of seedlings, turgor pressure, and geotropism. Catastrophic events of weather systems such as hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes can shape and restructure the environment through the force and motion evident in them. Weathering, erosion, and deposition occur in environments due to the forces of gravity, wind, ice, and water.

(D)  Earth and space. Earth and space phenomena can be observed in a variety of settings. Both natural events and human activities can impact Earth systems. There are characteristics of Earth and relationships to objects in our solar system that allow life to exist.

(E)  Organisms and environments.

(i)  Students will understand the relationship between living organisms and their environment. Different environments support different living organisms that are adapted to that region of Earth. Organisms are living systems that maintain a steady state with that environment and whose balance may be disrupted by internal and external stimuli. External stimuli include human activity or the environment. Successful organisms can reestablish a balance through different processes such as a feedback mechanism. Ecological succession can be seen on a broad or small scale.

(ii)  Students learn that all organisms obtain energy, get rid of wastes, grow, and reproduce. During both sexual and asexual reproduction, traits are passed onto the next generation. These traits are contained in genetic material that is found on genes within a chromosome from the parent. Changes in traits sometimes occur in a population over many generations. One of the ways a change can occur is through the process of natural selection. Students extend their understanding of structures in living systems from a previous focus on external structures to an understanding of internal structures and functions within living things.

(iii)  All living organisms are made up of smaller units called cells. All cells use energy, get rid of wastes, and contain genetic material. Students will compare plant and animal cells and understand the internal structures within them that allow them to obtain energy, get rid of wastes, grow, and reproduce in different ways. Cells can organize into tissues, tissues into organs, and organs into organ systems. Students will learn the major functions of human body systems such as the ability of the integumentary system to protect against infection, injury, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation; regulate body temperature; and remove waste.

(b)  Knowledge and skills.

(1)  Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student, for at least 40% of the instructional time, conducts laboratory and field investigations following safety procedures and environmentally appropriate and ethical practices. The student is expected to:

(A)  demonstrate safe practices during laboratory and field investigations as outlined in the Texas Safety Standards; and

(B)  practice appropriate use and conservation of resources, including disposal, reuse, or recycling of materials.

(2)  Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during laboratory and field investigations. The student is expected to:

(A)  plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations by making observations, asking well-defined questions, and using appropriate equipment and technology;

(B)  design and implement experimental investigations by making observations, asking well-defined questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and using appropriate equipment and technology;

(C)  collect and record data using the International System of Units (SI) and qualitative means such as labeled drawings, writing, and graphic organizers;

(D)  construct tables and graphs, using repeated trials and means, to organize data and identify patterns; and

(E)  analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations, communicate valid conclusions supported by the data, and predict trends.

(3)  Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions and knows the contributions of relevant scientists. The student is expected to:

(A)  in all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing, including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those scientific explanations, so as to encourage critical thinking by the student;

(B)  use models to represent aspects of the natural world such as human body systems and plant and animal cells;

(C)  identify advantages and limitations of models such as size, scale, properties, and materials; and

(D)  relate the impact of research on scientific thought and society, including the history of science and contributions of scientists as related to the content.

(4)  Science investigation and reasoning. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and safety equipment to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:

(A)  use appropriate tools to collect, record, and analyze information, including life science models, hand lens, stereoscopes, microscopes, beakers, Petri dishes, microscope slides, graduated cylinders, test tubes, meter sticks, metric rulers, metric tape measures, timing devices, hot plates, balances, thermometers, calculators, water test kits, computers, temperature and pH probes, collecting nets, insect traps, globes, digital cameras, journals/notebooks, and other equipment as needed to teach the curriculum; and

(B)  use preventative safety equipment, including chemical splash goggles, aprons, and gloves, and be prepared to use emergency safety equipment, including an eye/face wash, a fire blanket, and a fire extinguisher.

(5)  Matter and energy. The student knows that interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to:

(A)  recognize that radiant energy from the Sun is transformed into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis;

(B)  demonstrate and explain the cycling of matter within living systems such as in the decay of biomass in a compost bin; and

(C)  diagram the flow of energy through living systems, including food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.

(6)  Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has physical and chemical properties and can undergo physical and chemical changes. The student is expected to:

(A)  identify that organic compounds contain carbon and other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, nitrogen, or sulfur;

(B)  distinguish between physical and chemical changes in matter in the digestive system; and

(C)  recognize how large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules such as carbohydrates can be broken down into sugars.

(7)  Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that there is a relationship among force, motion, and energy. The student is expected to:

(A)  contrast situations where work is done with different amounts of force to situations where no work is done such as moving a box with a ramp and without a ramp, or standing still;

(B)  illustrate the transformation of energy within an organism such as the transfer from chemical energy to heat and thermal energy in digestion; and

(C)  demonstrate and illustrate forces that affect motion in everyday life such as emergence of seedlings, turgor pressure, and geotropism.

(8)  Earth and space. The student knows that natural events and human activity can impact Earth systems. The student is expected to:

(A)  predict and describe how different types of catastrophic events impact ecosystems such as floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes;

(B)  analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas; and

(C)  model the effects of human activity on groundwater and surface water in a watershed.

(9)  Earth and space. The student knows components of our solar system. The student is expected to:

(A)  analyze the characteristics of objects in our solar system that allow life to exist such as the proximity of the Sun, presence of water, and composition of the atmosphere; and

(B)  identify the accommodations, considering the characteristics of our solar system, that enabled manned space exploration.

(10)  Organisms and environments. The student knows that there is a relationship between organisms and the environment. The student is expected to:

(A)  observe and describe how different environments, including microhabitats in schoolyards and biomes, support different varieties of organisms;

(B)  describe how biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem; and

(C)  observe, record, and describe the role of ecological succession such as in a microhabitat of a garden with weeds.

(11)  Organisms and environments. The student knows that populations and species demonstrate variation and inherit many of their unique traits through gradual processes over many generations. The student is expected to:

(A)  examine organisms or their structures such as insects or leaves and use dichotomous keys for identification;

(B)  explain variation within a population or species by comparing external features, behaviors, or physiology of organisms that enhance their survival such as migration, hibernation, or storage of food in a bulb; and

(C)  identify some changes in genetic traits that have occurred over several generations through natural selection and selective breeding such as the Galapagos Medium Ground Finch (Geospiza fortis) or domestic animals.

(12)  Organisms and environments. The student knows that living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function. The student is expected to:

(A)  investigate and explain how internal structures of organisms have adaptations that allow specific functions such as gills in fish, hollow bones in birds, or xylem in plants;

(B)  identify the main functions of the systems of the human organism, including the circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, digestive, excretory, reproductive, integumentary, nervous, and endocrine systems;

(C)  recognize levels of organization in plants and animals, including cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms;

(D)  differentiate between structure and function in plant and animal cell organelles, including cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, chloroplast, and vacuole;

(E)  compare the functions of a cell to the functions of organisms such as waste removal; and

(F)  recognize that according to cell theory all organisms are composed of cells and cells carry on similar functions such as extracting energy from food to sustain life.

(13)  Organisms and environments. The student knows that a living organism must be able to maintain balance in stable internal conditions in response to external and internal stimuli. The student is expected to:

(A)  investigate how organisms respond to external stimuli found in the environment such as phototropism and fight or flight; and

(B)  describe and relate responses in organisms that may result from internal stimuli such as wilting in plants and fever or vomiting in animals that allow them to maintain balance.

(14)  Organisms and environments. The student knows that reproduction is a characteristic of living organisms and that the instructions for traits are governed in the genetic material. The student is expected to:

(A)  define heredity as the passage of genetic instructions from one generation to the next generation;

(B)  compare the results of uniform or diverse offspring from sexual reproduction or asexual reproduction; and

(C)  recognize that inherited traits of individuals are governed in the genetic material found in the genes within chromosomes in the nucleus.

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§112.6. Science, Grade 4.
(a)  Introduction.
(1)  In Grade 4, the study of science includes planning and implementing field and
laboratory investigations using scientific methods, analyzing information, making
informed decisions, and using tools such as compasses to collect information. Students
also use computers and information technology tools to support scientific investigations.

(2)  As students learn science skills, they identify components and processes of the
natural world including properties of soil, effects of the oceans on land, and the role of
the Sun as our major source of energy. In addition, students identify the physical
properties of matter and observe the addition or reduction of heat as an example of what
can cause changes in states of matter.

(4)  Science is a way of learning about the natural world. Students should know how
science has built a vast body of changing and increasing knowledge described by
physical, mathematical, and conceptual models, and also should know that science may
not answer all questions.
(5)  A system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. Students
should understand a whole in terms of its components and how these components relate
to each other and to the whole. All systems have basic properties that can be described in
terms of space, time, energy, and matter. Change and constancy occur in systems and can
be observed and measured as patterns. These patterns help to predict what will happen
next and can change over time.
(6)  Investigations are used to learn about the natural world. Students should understand
that certain types of questions can be answered by investigations, and that methods,
models, and conclusions built from these investigations change as new observations are
made. Models of objects and events are tools for understanding the natural world and can
show how systems work. They have limitations and based on new discoveries are
constantly being modified to more closely reflect the natural world.
(b)  Knowledge and skills.

(1)  Scientific processes. The student conducts field and laboratory investigations
following home and school safety procedures and environmentally appropriate and
ethical practices. The student is expected to:
(A)  demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations; and
(B)  make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal
or recycling of materials.

(2)  Scientific processes. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and
laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:
(A)  plan and implement descriptive investigations including asking well-defined
questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment
and technology;
(B)  collect information by observing and measuring;
(C)  analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from
direct and indirect evidence;
(D)  communicate valid conclusions; and
(E)  construct simple graphs, tables, maps, and charts to organize, examine, and
evaluate information.

(3)  Scientific processes. The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving
to make informed decisions. The student is expected to:
(A)  analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses
and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and
information;
(B)  draw inferences based on information related to promotional materials for
products and services;
(C)  represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations;
(D)  evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the
environment; and
(E)  connect Grade 4 science concepts with the history of science and
contributions of scientists.

(4)  Scientific processes. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to
conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:
(A)  collect and analyze information using tools including calculators, safety
goggles, microscopes, cameras, sound recorders, computers, hand lenses, rulers,
thermometers, meter sticks, timing devices, balances, and compasses; and
(B)  demonstrate that repeated investigations may increase the reliability of
results.

(5)  Science concepts. The student knows that complex systems may not work if some
parts are removed. The student is expected to:
(A)  identify and describe the roles of some organisms in living systems such as
plants in a schoolyard, and parts in nonliving systems such as a light bulb in a
circuit; and
(B)  predict and draw conclusions about what happens when part of a system is
removed.

(6)  Science concepts. The student knows that change can create recognizable patterns.
The student is expected to:
(A)  identify patterns of change such as in weather, metamorphosis, and objects in
the sky;
(B)  illustrate that certain characteristics of an object can remain constant even
when the object is rotated like a spinning top, translated like a skater moving in a
straight line, or reflected on a smooth surface; and
(C)  use reflections to verify that a natural object has symmetry.

(10)  Science concepts. The student knows that certain past events affect present and
future events. The student is expected to:
(A)  identify and observe effects of events that require time for changes to be
noticeable including growth, erosion, dissolving, weathering, and flow; and
(B)  draw conclusions about “what happened before” using fossils or charts and
tables.

(11)  Science concepts. The student knows that the natural world includes earth materials
and objects in the sky. The student is expected to:
(A)  test properties of soils including texture, capacity to retain water, and ability
to support life;
(B)  summarize the effects of the oceans on land; and
(C)  identify the Sun as the major source of energy for the Earth and understandits role in the growth of plants, in the creation of winds, and in the water cycle.

§113.6. Social Studies, Grade 4.

(8)  Geography. The student understands the location and patterns of settlement and the
geographic factors that influence where people live. The student is expected to:
(A)  identify clusters of settlement in Texas and explain their distribution;
(B)  explain patterns of settlement at different time periods in Texas;
(C)  describe the location of cities in Texas and explain their distribution, past and
present; and
(D)  explain the geographic factors that influence patterns of settlement and the
distribution of population in Texas, past and present.
(9)  Geography. The student understands how people adapt to and modify their
environment. The student is expected to:
(A)  describe ways people have adapted to and modified their environment in
Texas, past and present;
(B)  identify reasons why people have adapted to and modified their environment
in Texas, past and present, such as the use of natural resources to meet basic
needs; and
(C)  analyze the consequences of human modification of the environment in
Texas, past and present.