Biology Program Goals and Objectives
Grade Level 7

About the Biology Program
All students will participate in the Barrier Island Ecology Course at the same time. Small groups of approximately twelve students together with a Sound to Sea instructor each start in a different habitat area and begin a rotation. This component introduces students to the five habitats (beach/ocean, maritime forest, freshwater pond, salt marsh, and sound/estuary), geological history, basic ecological concepts and general habitat study skills that are reinforced throughout the entire program. Sound to Sea instructors encourage exploration and present various ecological concepts (such as habitats, cycles, communities, populations, species, food webs, decomposition, etc.) as students discover concrete evidence that relates to that concept. As the groups explore each habitat, students observe the differences and make comparisons. The Habitat Study skills include: observation, measurement, data collection, and analysis and assessment of habitat conditions with respect to soil, air, water, wind, temperature, and human impact; and observation, identification, classification, mapping and representative sampling of species present within the habitat.

Main Curriculum Area: Science
Other Curriculum Areas: English, Math
Grade Level: 7

Primary Goals and Objectives:
These objectives will be covered during all Biology Program classes. Some objectives are more specific to one habitat than another, so if your schedule does not allow you to take all offered classes, or if there are particular objectives that you want to make sure we cover, please let us know what your specific needs are.

Science Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will build an understanding of cell theory.

Objectives
2.01 Analyze structures, functions, and processes within plant and animal cells:
  • Capture and release energy.
  • Feedback information.
  • Dispose of wastes.
  • Reproduction.
  • Enable movement.
  • Specialized.
English Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will use language to express individual perspectives in response to personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.

Objectives
1.03 Interact in group settings by:
  • responding appropriately to comments and questions.
  • offering personal opinions confidently without dominating.
  • giving appropriate reasons that support opinions.
  • soliciting and respecting another person's opinion.
1.04 Reflect on learning experiences by:
  • analyzing personal learning growth and changes in perspective.
  • examining changes in self throughout the learning process.
English Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will refine the understanding and use of argument.

Objectives
3.02 Use the problem-solution process by:
  • analyzing problems and solutions within various texts and situations.
  • utilizing the problem-solution process within various contexts/situations.
English Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.

Objectives
4.02 Develop (with assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
  • using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
  • drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
  • considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
English Competency
Goal 6		 The learner will apply conventions of application of grammar and language usage.


Objectives
6.01 Model an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:

  • determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words using context clues, a dictionary, a glossary, a thesaurus, and/or structural analysis (roots, prefixes, suffixes) of words.
  • extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new words.