Year 7 Biology Curriculum Plan
During Year 7, students follow the EXPLORING SCIENCE SCHEME (Topics B1 to B4 inclusive). This fulfils the requirements of the Year 7 National Curriculum for Science (Biology).
- 7A TISSUES AND TRANSPLANTS
- 7B SEX AND SCIENCE
- 7C ECOLOGY MATTERS
- 7D CLASSIFIED
This scheme of work is supported by a textbook 'EXPLORING SCIENCE' Book 1. Each pupil has their own copy which also contains Physics and Chemistry.
Most lessons include experiments and practical investigations (excluding Unit 4). Additionally, there are worksheets that are designed to consolidate and extend understanding of the key topics. Subject specific vocabulary is very important and correct spelling of these words is encouraged and reinforced. All lessons are conducted in a safe and supportive environment, with a high challenge, low threat atmosphere. Consideration is always given to the sensitive nature of some of the material.
At the end of each topic there is a test. Revision for all of these tests will be done in class and homework will be set before these tests to give pupils the opportunity to practice their revision skills. The test scores provide an indication of the National Curriculum level the pupil is currently achieving.
Look here for details of the contents of the Exploring Science scheme.
The work is organised in topics. The time allocation for each topic is approximately seven weeks. Students are assessed through a formal test at the end of each topic.
General links:
Brain Pop Homepage
KS3 Bitesize Revision Homepage
The Facts of Life
Discovery
7A Tissues and Transplants
This unit takes a look at organ transplants; what they are, their history and why they are needed. Within this context, the concepts of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems are explored, together with the use of the microscope.
7Aa Heart transplants are used to introduce the idea of transplants and the organs of the human body.
7Ab Microscopes and preparing slides.
7Ac The discovery of cells and the differences between animal and plant cells.
Links:
Cells Are Us.
Cells Alive!
7Ad Specialised cells and how cells divide for growth.
Links:
7Ae Completes the unit by looking at organ systems. An Individual Skill Assessment on water loss in leaves can be included to introduce key ideas on planning investigations.
Extension Work is available to look at Kidney dialysis and the work of doctors and vets investigating the causes of disease.
7B Sex and Science
7Ba Covers reproduction in animals with a look at breeding programs and cloning to protect endangered species.
Link: How Cloning Works
7Bb The human reproductive system and the adaptations of the sex cells.
7Bc Intercourse and fertilisation including the production of twins.
7Bd The menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Link: Pregnancy and Parenting
7Be Completes the unit by looking at birth, aftercare and development in humans and other animals.
Links:
Human Lifecycle.
Reproduction Quiz
Extension Work is available to look at cervical cancer, IVF, contraception and STDs.
7C Ecology Matters
This unit looks at the work ecologists do in advising the building industry. Material covered includes habitats, adaptations and feeding relationships.
7Ca Revision (from KS2) of Habitats and their main environmental features.
Link: Biomes
7Cb Adaptations of animals and plants to survive in certain habitats.
7Cc Considers daily and seasonal changes and adaptations to them.
7Cd Looks at adaptations for finding nutrition. Carnivores, herbivores, omnivores and decomposers.
7Ce Revises food chains and introduces food webs. This is linked to how evidence can be gathered to determine the feeding relationships within a habitat.
Link: Naturegrid
Extension Work is available on parasites and the ways that sleeping sickness is tackled.
7D Classified
This unit considers how we organise things into groups to make life easier. This is extended to cover biological classification and variation in terms of its genetic and environmental causes.
7Da Introduces the idea that many things are sorted into groups. Variation, correlations and the concept of a species are covered.
7Db Outlines the causes of variation.
7Dc Introduces biological classification by looking at how organisms are described in a range of writing forms.
7Dd Shows how classification developed before going on to consider vertebrate classification.
7De Completes the unit by looking at the classification of invertebrates.
Extension Work is available to cover patterns of variation, learning as an example of environmental variation, ‘warm and cold bloodedness’ and insect metamorphosis.
A trip to Blackpool Zoo is used to consolidate many of the ideas covered in this unit.
Links:
Living things.
The Tree of Life.
Wildlife in Winter.
An end of year assessment will cover work from all of the units.
