Standard: Students will investigate the diversity of living organisms and how they compare scientifically.
We started this unit off by discussing the differences between living, non-living, and dead things. We are now using the vocabulary terms biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) and we are sounding so scientific. We can now identify biotic and abiotic factors in the environment and how they affect each other.
This led us to the 7 characteristics of all living things. We are using the acronym RAGCORE to help us remember the characteristics: Reproduction, Adaptation, Grow and Develop, Cells, Organization, Respond, Energy.
This led us to the interesting topic of reproduction. The classroom is always quiet during these discussions because they don't want to miss a thing. We started by discussing Asexual Reproduction and the characteristics and types of organisms that use this method of reproduction. For many of the students this is the first time learning about asexual reproduction. We now know about budding, regeneration, binary fission, and spore production. We illustrated how fast populations grow with binary fission.
Today we discussed sexual reproduction. The hardest concept for 7th graders to grasp is that humans are not the only organisms that reproduce sexually and that sexual reproduction does not always involve "sex". The students are always filled with interesting questions and many misconceptions are cleared up in a biological way. Everyone is always interested in how twins occur and how a boy or girl is determined. This previews for our coming unit on genetics. You gotta love 7th graders and their curosity.
Homework today: Complete the Venn diagram on Sexual and Asexual Reproduction.
Follow what is going on in my 7th Grade Life Science classroom. I will be posting science lessons, videos, important dates, etc on my blog. I will also be posting questions for you to respond to on a weekly basis. Check often so you won't miss anything important.
