Rhode Island State Standards for Science: Grade 7

RI.ESS1. Earth and Space Science: The earth and earth materials as we know them today have developed over long periods of time, through continual change processes.

1a. Citing evidence and developing a logical argument for plate movement using fossil evidence, layers of sedimentary rock, location of mineral deposits, and shape of the continents. 27
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 1a.

3a. Evaluating slow processes (e.g. weathering, erosion, mountain building, sea floor spreading) to determine how the earth has changed and will continue to change over time. 31
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 3a.

3b. Evaluating fast processes (e.g. erosion, volcanoes and earthquakes) to determine how the earth has changed and will continue to change over time. 9
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 3b.

3c. Investigating the effect of flowing water on landforms (e.g. stream table, local environment). 58
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 3c.

4a. Explaining cause and effect relationships between global climate and energy transfer. 21
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 4a.

4b. Using evidence to make inferences or predictions about global climate issues. 41
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 4b.

RI.ESS2. Earth and Space Science: The earth is part of a solar system, made up of distinct parts that have temporal and spatial interrelationships.

7a. Identifying major discoveries from different scientists and cultures and describing how these discoveries have contributed to our understanding of the solar system (e.g. timeline, research project, picture book). 9
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 7a.

8a. Using or creating a model of the Earth, sun and moon system to show rotation and revolution. 14
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8a.

8b. Explaining night/day, seasons, year, and tides as a result of the regular and predictable motion of the Earth, sun, and moon. 7
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8b.

8c. Using a model of the Earth, sun and moon to recreate the phases of the moon. 7
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8c.

8d. Describing the relationship between mass and the gravitational force between objects. 12
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8d.

8e. Describing the relationship between distance and the gravitational force between objects. 14
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8e.

8f. Explaining that the sun's gravitational pull holds the Earth and other planets in their orbits, just as the planet's gravitational pull keeps their moons in orbit. 18
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8f.

RI.ESS3. Earth and Space Science: The origin and evolution of galaxies and the universe demonstrate fundamental principles of physical science across vast distances and time.

9a. Describing the universe as containing many billions of galaxies, and each galaxy contains many billions of stars. 20
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 9a.

RI.LS1. Life Science: All living organisms have identifiable structures and characteristics that allow for survival (organisms, populations, & species).

1a. Giving examples of adaptations or behaviors that are specific to a niche (role) within an ecosystem. 17
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 1a.

1b. Explaining how organisms with different structures and behaviors have roles that contribute to each other's survival and the stability of the ecosystem. 36
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 1b.

2a. Explaining how the cell, as the basic unit of life, has the same survival needs as an organism (i.e., obtain energy, grow, eliminate waste, reproduce, provide for defense). 33
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 2a.

2b. Observing and describing (e.g., drawing, labeling) individual cells as seen through a microscope targeting cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, and chloroplasts. 33
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 2b.

2c. Observing, describing and charting the growth, motion, responses of living organisms 4
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 2c.

3a. Explaining reproduction as a fundamental process by which the new individual receives genetic information from parent(s). 31
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 3a.

3b. Describing forms of asexual reproduction that involve the genetic contribution of only one parent (e.g., binary fission, budding, vegetative propagation, regeneration). 1
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 3b.

3c. Describing sexual reproduction as a process that combines genetic material of two parents to produce a new organism (e.g., sperm/egg, pollen/ova) 25
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 3c.

4a. Explaining that specialized cells perform specialized functions. (e.g., muscle cells contract, nerve cells transmit impulses, skin cells provide protection). 51
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 4a.

4b. Comparing individual cells of tissues and recognizing the similarities of cells and how they work together to perform specific functions. 56
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 4b.

4c. Explaining how each type of cell, tissue, and organ has a distinct structure and set of functions that serve the organism as a whole. 56
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 4c.

RI.LS2. Life Science: Matter cycles and energy flows through an ecosystem.

5a. Identifying which biotic (e.g., bacteria, fungi, plants, animals) and abiotic (e.g., weather, climate, light, water, temperature, soil composition, catastrophic events) factors affect a given ecosystem. 14
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5a.

5b. Analyzing how biotic and abiotic factors affect a given ecosystem. 14
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5b.

5c. Predicting the outcome of a given change in biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. 14
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5c.

5d. Using a visual model (e.g., graph) to track population changes in an ecosystem. 14
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5d.

6a. Explaining the transfer of the sun's energy through living systems and its effect upon them. 8
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 6a.

6b. Describing the basic processes and recognizing the names and chemical formulas of the substances involved in photosynthesis and respiration. 15
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 6b.

6c. Explaining the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration. 15
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 6c.

6d. Creating or interpreting a model that traces the flow of energy in a food web. 4
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 6d.

7a. Diagramming or sequencing a series of steps showing how matter cycles among and between organisms and the physical environment. 18
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 7a.

7b. Developing a model for a food web of local aquatic and local terrestrial environments. 4
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 7b.

7c. Explaining the inverse nature or complementary aspects of photosynthesis/respiration in relation to carbon dioxide, water and oxygen exchange. 32
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 7c.

7d. Conducting a controlled investigation that shows that the total amount of matter remains constant, even though its form and location change as matter is transferred among and between organisms and the physical environment (e.g., bottle biology, mass of a closed system over time). 32
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 7d.

RI.LS3. Life Science: Groups of organisms show evidence of change over time (structures, behaviors, and biochemistry).

8a. Sorting organisms with similar characteristics into groups based on internal and external structures. 12
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8a.

8b. Explaining how species with similar evolutionary histories/characteristics are classified more closely together with some organisms than others (e.g., a fish and human have more common with each other than a fish and jelly fish) 12
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8b.

8c. Recognizing the classification system used in modern biology. 12
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8c.

9a. Explaining that genetic variations/traits of organisms are passed on through reproduction and random genetic changes. 29
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 9a.

9b. Gathering evidence that demonstrates evolutionary relationships among organisms (e.g., similarities in body structure, early development, traits). 21
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 9b.

9c. Differentiating between acquired and inherited characteristics and giving examples of each. 36
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 9c.

9d. Explaining how natural selection leads to evolution (e.g., survival of the fittest). 21
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 9d.

9e. Describing how scientists' understanding of the way species originate or become extinct has changed over time. 21
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 9e.

RI.LS 4. Life Science: Humans are similar to other species in many ways, and yet are unique among Earth's life forms.

10a. Predicting and explaining the effects of biotic factors (e.g., microbes, parasites, food availability, aging process) on human body systems. 74
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 10a.

10b. Predicting and explaining the effect of abiotic factors (e.g., drugs, environmental conditions) on human body systems. 74
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 10b.

10c. Researching and reporting on how biotic (e.g., microbes, parasites, food availability, aging process) and abiotic (e.g., radiation, toxic materials, carcinogens) factors cause disease and affect human health. 57
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 10c.

11a. Recognizing that characteristics of an organism result from inherited traits of one or more genes from the parents and others result from interactions with the environment. 22
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 11a.

11b. Tracing a genetic characteristic through a given pedigree (e.g., genealogical chart, Queen Victoria-hemophilia or hypothetical example) to demonstrate the passage of traits. 22
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 11b.

11c. Identifying that genetic material (i.e. chromosomes and genes) is located in the cell's nucleus. 22
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 11c.

12a. Identifying and sequencing the stages of human embryonic development. 10
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 12a.

12b. Describing the changes from one stage of embryonic development to the next. 11
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 12b.

12c. Comparing and contrasting embryonic development in various life forms (e.g., humans, frogs, chickens, sea urchins). 6
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 12c.

12d. Comparing the patterns of human development after birth to life stages of other species. 6
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 12d.

RI.PS1. Physical Science: All living and nonliving things are composed of matter having characteristic properties that distinguish one substance from another (independent of size or amount of substance).

1a. Measuring mass and volume of both regular and irregular objects and using those values as well as the relationship D=m/v to calculate density. 19
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 1a.

2a. Identifying an unknown substance given its characteristic properties. 47
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 2a.

2b. Classifying and comparing substances using characteristic properties (e.g., solid, liquid, gas; metal, non-metal). 11
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 2b.

3a. Citing evidence to conclude that the amount of matter before and after undergoing a physical or a chemical change in a closed system remains the same. 11
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 3a.

4a. Creating diagrams or models that represent the states of matter at the molecular level. 19
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 4a.

4b. Explaining the effect of increased and decreased heat energy on the motion and arrangement of molecules. 5
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 4b.

4c. Observing the physical processes of evaporation and condensation, or freezing and melting, and describe these changes in terms of molecular motion and conservation of mass. 5
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 4c.

5a. Using models or diagrams to show the difference between atoms and molecules. 5
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5a.

5b. Classifying common elements and compounds using symbols and simple chemical formulas. 13
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5b.

5c. Interpreting the symbols and formulas of simple chemical equations. 21
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5c.

5d. Using symbols and chemical formulas to show simple chemical rearrangements that produce new substances (chemical change). 21
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5d.

5e. Explaining that when substances undergo physical changes, the appearance may change but the chemical makeup and chemical properties do not. 21
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5e.

5f. Explaining that when substances undergo chemical changes to form new substances, the properties of the new combinations may be very different from those of the old. 21
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 5f.

RI.PS2. Physical Science: Energy is necessary for change to occur in matter. Energy can be stored, transferred, and transformed, but cannot be destroyed.

6a. Using a real world example to explain the transfer of potential energy to kinetic energy. 31
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 6a.

6b. Constructing a model to explain the transformation of energy from one form to another. (e.g. an electrical circuit changing electrical energy to light energy in a light bulb). 31
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 6b.

6c. Explaining that while energy may be stored, transferred, or transformed, the total amount of energy is conserved. 31
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 6c.

6d. Describing the effect of changing voltage in an electrical circuit. 7
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 6d.

7a. Designing a diagram, model, or analogy to show or describe the motion of molecules for a material in a warmer and cooler state. 7
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 7a.

7b. Explaining the difference among conduction, convection and radiation and creating a diagram to explain how heat energy travels in different directions and through different materials by each of these methods. 10
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 7b.

RI.PS3. Physical Science: The motion of an object is affected by forces.

8a. Measuring distance and time for a moving object and using those values as well as the relationship s=d/t to calculate speed and graphically represent the data. 28
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8a.

8b. Solving for any unknown in the expression s=d/t given values for the other two variables. 24
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8b.

8c. Differentiating among speed, velocity and acceleration. 14
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8c.

8d. Making and testing predictions on how unbalanced forces acting on objects change speed or direction of motion, or both. 14
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8d.

8e. Describing or graphically representing that the acceleration of an object is proportional to the force on the object and inversely proportional to the object's mass. 25
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8e.

8f. Differentiating between mass and weight. 17
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard 8f.

LAa. Experiment how light from the sun is made up of a mixture of many different colors of light (e.g. using prisms, spectrometers, crystals). 6
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard LAa.

Lab. Representing in words, diagrams, or other models the visible spectrum as a part of the electromagnetic spectrum (consisting of visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation) and composed of all colors of light 6
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard Lab.

Lac. Differentiating between electromagnetic and mechanical waves. 7
Suggested Titles for Rhode Island Science State Standard Lac.