Curriculum and Instruction

Organizer

Educator Name: Dirceu dos Santos

Discipline: Scientific Studies
Unit: Science and humanity
Grade level: 7th
Number of Weeks Map Requires: 2
Student Audience: 40

Introduction
The curriculum map on the following pages illustrates just one way to organize the
grade 7 standards from the 2012 Cape Verdean Curriculum Framework for Scientific
Studies (Physics and Chemistry).
The map includes one Grade 7 Model Curriculum Unit, titled Science and Humanity
which were developed by the Board of Directors of the Secondary Education from Cape
Verde.

Integrated Instructional Content

The approach of the transversal themes such as safety, health, environment, human
rights, Mathematics, etc., should be a constant concern in the development of the
program of the discipline of Physics and Chemistry, which, incidentally, embodies the
purposes of the STS (science technology and society) approach. Some relevant aspects
of these themes are explicitly mentioned in this unit.

Orientation
The contents in the map are focused on expanding what students know and understand,
and also on skill development. Thus, the theoretical approaches in this map are
Academic Rationalism and Development of Cognitive Processes.

Principle/ Supplementary Focus

The map was made in such a way that all 7th grade teachers can be able to teach the
same content and skills to all their students. Teachers are also encouraged to
differentiate their instruction. The map is focused on the needs of society and
community service or stewardship. So, the needs of the subject and the needs of society
are the principal focus.

Alignment
Rationale
The objective of this unit is to awaken students to have a critical attitude toward the
implications of science and technology in human lifestyle. It also aims to make students
become aware of the importance of the perseverance and rigor in observation of
phenomena, in register of relevant information and in measurement processes. The
responsibility in handling materials and chemical reagents, taking into account the rules
of lab safety, is another student attitude which is intended in this unit. Throughout the
lessons students are required to work in peer groups in order to develop critical thinking
and also to develop the respect for others opinion. All activities are made with the
objective of awakening students passion for scientific activity and research.

Learning goals/standards addressed - Primary Framework, Strands and

Appropriate Primary Learning Standards
The student
Explain the meaning of the term "science";

Distinguish between scientific knowledge and common sense;

Identify different branches of science and fields of study;

Identify aspects of everyday life that reflect the influence of science and
technology;

Discuss the importance of sciences, particularly physics and chemistry, in

everyday life;

Recognize scientific discoveries and techniques developed along the years;

Discuss some aspects of science evolution, particularly physics and chemistry;

Describe facts of everyday life which is due to the advances in the fields of
physics and chemistry;

Recognize the importance of observation and experimentation in order to

enhance scientific knowledge;

Describe some lab materials and basic standards of hygiene and safety along
experimental work;

Apply rules of personal safety along experimental activities;

Perform correctly measurements of different physical quantities and show these

quantities expressed in IS units.

Secondary Framework, Strands and Appropriate Primary Learning Standards

Mathematics
Students should be able to do:
Calculations (addition, multiplication, division);
Measurements (area, volume, etc.);

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Explain how science appeared;

Recognize that physics and chemistry are two different branches of science;

Handle correctly chemical reagents and laboratory equipment;

Identify materials commonly used in laboratories;

Interprets the main safety signs labeled in certain chemicals and laboratory
equipment.

Essential questions

How did science emerge?

What are the effects of the invented scientific technologies for the humanity?

How to perform a safe lab experiment?

Essential understandings

Essential Concepts
Science and humanity
Physics and Chemistry
as sciences of matter

in scientific studies

Handle

correctly

Performance Task(s):

chemical reagents and Students will:

There are many branches of

laboratory equipment;

Identify
commonly

It is crucial to know the

laboratories;

rules,

instruments

Read texts on highlighting the relevant

materials

them study a certain issue;

safety

Assessments

of the human curiosity;

science and that each one of

and energy
Experimental practice

Science appeared because

Essential skills

Interprets

used

in

aspects and implications of science,

especially physics and chemistry at the
life of humanity - textbooks, Internet,

the

main

and lab materials before

safety signs labeled in

performing experiments;

certain

Scientific attitude requires

laboratory equipment

chemicals

and

etc.;
Perform activities with audio-visual
support

eg

documentary,

presentation
news,

movie,

of

etc.,

the perseverance and rigor

addressing the themes of science and

in

technology;

observation

of

phenomena, in the register

of relevant information and
in

the

processes.

measurement

Perform

experiments

with

lab

showing

the

materials;
Elaborate

schemes

interconnections of Chemistry and

Physics in the different fields of human
activity.

Curriculum Map
Unit Content/
Topic

Science and

Intended Learning
Outcomes
& Essential Questions

humanity
Physics and

Explain

Essential
Understandings
/Skills

science (in the above table)

how

appeared;

and chemistry are two

sciences of matter

different

and energy

science;

branches

Handle

correctly

chemical reagents and

scientific studies

laboratory equipment;
Identify

materials

commonly

used

Interprets

the

main

safety signs labeled in

certain

in

laboratories;

of

practice in

(in the above

table)

Activities/
Instructional Strategies

Recognize that physics

Chemistry as

Experimental

Assessments

chemicals

and

laboratory equipment.

Students can:
Read
texts
about
Physics and Chemistry
and their implications
in human life;
Watch
video-audio
materials,
such
as
documentary
and
movies,
addressing
science phenomena;
Create
schemes
showing
the
interconnections
of
Chemistry and
Physics in different
fields
of
human
activity.
Perform experimental
practices
wherein
students realize the
importance
of
observations,
measurements and data
collect;

Resources

Estudos
cientificos
1Ciclo
Programa
de Fisica e
Quimica do
3 Ciclo do
EB
Fisica e
Quimica 8

Visit a laboratory so
that students can see inloco
the
scientific
environment;
Create posters that
illustrate
the
importance of safety
lab and the danger
signs which are labeled
on chemical products.

Note: There are 4 lesson plans in this map curriculum. The first is an example of a
lesson plan for a classroom with very stratified level of students including students with
special needs (this is not common in Cape Verde). The other 3 plans are those for
regular classrooms.

Lesson plan#1
Grade Level and Subject: 7th grade/Scientific Studies
Concepts: Lab materials, lab safety rules
Time requirements: 50 minutes
Background:
This lesson is part of a unit on Introduction to Science. Students will have
already known about scientific method and scientists attitude along their job.
Outcomes:
Low functional students

Identify and describe some lab materials and basic standards of hygiene and lab
safety along experimental work;

Average functional students

Identify and describe lab materials and basic standards of hygiene and lab safety
along experimental work;

Recognize the importance of knowing lab safety rules.

High functioning student

Identify and describe lab materials and basic standards of hygiene and safety
along experimental work;

Develop a list of lab materials and basic standards of hygiene and lab safety;

Describe and understand the importance of knowing lab safety rules and lab
material.

Materials/Resources

Computer, projector

Students worksheets

Lab material and reagents

Sticky notes

worksheets

Blackboard and chalk

Lesson Introduction
Today were going to be learning about lab materials and lab safety rules.
(Holding up a thermometer) Can anyone tell me what we call this? Right, its a
thermometer, and its a lab material used to measure the temperature. There are many
other lab materials used to measure different quantities. (Pointing to the lab materials)
Today we are going to be learning about these materials but, first were going to learn
about some rules that we prior must to know. (Students will have already learned about
rules related to society or sports so, now teacher can ask questions as why do we have
rules? Why are rules good for us? and then discuss why rules are good and that they
bring order and security. Stress that we need class rules for the same reasons) (5mn)

Lesson Activities
1. Students will be placed into mixed-ability groups of four or five. Each group
should consist of one higher-achieving student, two or three middle achievers
and one lower-achieving student; (5mn)
2. Each group will be provided with 2 lists (see annexed List1 and List2), some lab
materials and some chemical reagents in unlabeled containers. All the lists
present information about its content;
3. (Using computer and projector) Teacher will introduce students to the lab safety
rules by showing common materials and symbols usually labeled in chemical

reagents containers (20mn); (see link https://quizlet.com/76044295/laboratorycommon-equipment-flash-cards/ )

4. Teacher will use audio visual resources to show how the chemical reagents react
so that students can label the containers with the correct safety symbol(s);
5. Students group works will fill the worksheet with the name of the materials and
their utilities and also labeling each chemical reagent with symbols (see List1
already

filled)

(15mn);

(see

link

http://www.epa.gov/region03/ee/chesapeake/game1.htm)
6. Teacher will finish the lesson by analyzing each group (5mn).

Assessments

Teacher will collect group work worksheets to assess students work and write
feedback.

Modification for Special Needs:

For students with memory problems or difficulty to take notes He/She might
record the lesson or the teacher might provide a copy of the lesson outline. He/She must
be able to identify and describe some lab materials and basic standards of hygiene and
lab safety along experimental work.
For students who find reading slow and difficult, supplement the subject matter
being read with videos. The site https://quizlet.com/76044295/laboratory-commonequipment-flash-cards/ provides a speller tool in order to help them to read.
Students with physical disabilities have the support of videos and audio in order
to better understand. Throughout the lesson, they will not be required to move a lot.
Activities like cutting pictures of symbols to label containers can help them to develop
and maintain fine motor skills.

Annex
List 1

Balance
(electronic)

Beakers

Bunsen Burner

Buret

Clay Triangle

Crucible

Crucible in
Triangle

Crucible Tongs

Dropper Pipets

Dropper in action Erlenmeyer Flasks

Evaporating Dish

Forceps

Funnels

Goggles

Graduated
Cylinders

Pinch Clamp

Pipets and Bulbs

Plastic and
Rubber Policemen

Ring Clamp &

Stand

Scoopula

Stirring Rods

Thermometers

Test Tubes in Rack

Test Tube Holder

Tube & Holder in

Action

Utility Clamp

Clamp in action

Wash Bottle

Watch Glasses

Wire Gauze

Combined for
Heating

Additional list http://quizlet.com/13633713/lab-equipment-names-and-pictures-flashcards/ which presents the utilities of these materials.

List 2

Lesson Plan #2
Grade 7: Scientific Studies: Introduction to science

Explain the meaning of the term "science";

Distinguish between scientific knowledge and common sense;

Identify different branches of science and fields of study;

Activity

Students will watch a short movie/documentary and they will be asked to make
question about their curiosity related to everything they watched.

Students will work in peer groups

Objectives
Students will be able to:

Talk about science and refer to scientific knowledge;

Identify branches of science that study a certain issue.

Materials

Video/documentary

Computer, projector

Student scientific studies books

Blackboard and chalk

Procedure

Teacher will provide a 5 minute video/documentary that shows many natural

and scientific events in the world (the video/documentary will be projected in
the classroom);

Teacher will ask students about their curiosity. Students will talk about what
they saw and also ask questions about the documentary (8mn);

Teacher will introduce the concept of science and talk about the diversity of the
issues in science (12mn);

Teacher will introduce some branches of science and explain that each one of
them concerns to a certain issue (5mn);

In pairs students will use their scientific studies book to see examples of
curiosity and separate them into groups in order to discover what branch of
science concerns to each group of curiosity (10mn);

Class discussion will follow activity and students will share personal
observations (5mn);

Teacher will finish the lesson by analyzing each group work and then he will ask
students to do a homework related to the lesson (5mn).

Assessment

Students will have their peer group work looked at by the teacher and the teacher
will provide feedback;

Their participation on class discussion will be graded by the teacher;

Teacher will use observations of the class while they work in peers discussion.

Lesson Plan #3

Identify aspects of everyday life that reflect the influence of science and
technology;

Discuss the importance of sciences, particularly physics and chemistry, in

everyday life;

Recognize scientific discoveries and techniques developed along the years;

Discuss some aspects of science evolution, particularly physics and chemistry;

Describe facts of everyday life which is due to the advances in the fields of
physics and chemistry.

Activity

Students will watch a 5 minutes video/documentary related to science and

technology;

Students will work in peer groups to discuss about technologies effects to

humanity;

Students will comment each group work.

Objectives
Students will be able to:

Discuss and understand that the development of technologies has brought

benefits as much as damages to the humanity;

Relate physics and chemistry.

Materials

Video/documentary

Computer, projector

Student scientific studies books

Blackboard and chalk

Procedure

Teacher takes 5 minute to review the preview lesson by summarizing and doing
some questions;

Teacher will provide a 5 minute video/documentary that shows natural

evolutions and also catastrophes due to scientific inventions;

Teacher will ask students about their viewpoint. Students will talk about what
they saw and also ask questions about the documentary (10mn);

The teacher will introduce the concept of physics and chemistry (10mn);

Students

will

break

into

groups

to

discuss

and

write

about

the

video/documentary and then each group will rotate and comment each groups
viewpoint (10mn);

Class discussion will follow activity

and students will share personal

observations (5mn);

Teacher will finish the lesson by analyzing each group viewpoint and then he
will ask students to do a homework related to the lesson (5mn).

Assessments

Teacher will collect group work results of the discussion to assess students work
and write feedback;

Group discussion will allow teacher feedback on the students understanding.

Lesson Plan #4

Describe some lab materials and basic standards of hygiene and safety along
experimental work;

Activity

Students will work in peer groups

Objectives

Students will be able to:

Recognize lab materials and chemical reagents;

Materials

Computer, projector

Students worksheets

Blackboard and chalk

Procedure

Teacher takes 10 minute to review the preview lesson by summarizing and also
checking students homework;

Students will break into groups;

Teacher will provide 2 lists for each group work. A list of lab materials and
another one with chemical reagents. The lists will show materials and chemical
reagents pictures and their utilities;

(Using computer and projector) Teacher will introduce students to the lab safety
rules by showing common materials and symbols usually labeled in chemical
reagents containers (20mn);

Students group works will fill the worksheet with the name of the materials and
also by labeling each chemical reagent with symbols (15mn);

Teacher will finish the lesson by analyzing each group work and then he will ask
students to do a homework related to the lesson (5mn).

Assessments

Teacher will collect group work results to assess students work and write
feedback

Performance Assessment and Generic Rubric

Task: Lab experiment (measurements)
Standard:/s/Outcomes:
Recognize the importance of observation and experimentation in order to enhance scientific knowledge;

Apply rules of personal safety along experimental activities;

Perform correctly measurements of different physical quantities and show these quantities expressed in IS units.

Describe and understand the importance of knowing lab safety rules and lab material.

Product
Students will perform correctly measurements of different physical quantities; interpret the main safeties symbol labeled in
chemicals and laboratory equipment; identify and describe the common lab materials; apply rules of personal safety and basic
standards of hygiene along experimental activities.

Criteria:
Advanced Indicators
Proficient Indicators
Needs Improvement
The student applies rules of personal safety and basic standards of hygiene along experimental
Indicators activities.
The student performs The student performs The student performs
Criterion:
correctly
all correctly measurements measurements
of
Measurement and
measurements
of of different physical physical quantities with
data
different
physical quantities.
some errors.
Definition:
The student performs quantities
and
also
measurements
of proposes effective ways
The student identifies
and to
describes
the common the
lab materials
different
physical
better accomplish
quantities.
task.

The student applies rules of personal safety and basic standards of hygiene along experimental activities.

Failing Indicators
The student makes
significant errors in
measurement of
physical quantities.

The student shows

some errors while
interpreting the main
safeties symbol labeled
in
chemicals
and
laboratory equipment.

The student makes

significant
errors
while interpreting
the main safeties
symbol labeled in
chemicals
and
laboratory
equipment.

The student identifies and The student identifies The student makes
describes all lab materials and
describes
the some mistakes while
common lab materials
identifying
and/or
describing the common
Definition:
The student identify
lab materials
and
describes
the
common lab materials

The student makes

several
mistakes
while identifying
and describing the
common
lab
materials

The student shows high

responsibility
along
experimental activities by
applying rules of personal
Definition:
The student applies safety and basic standards
rules of personal safety of hygiene.
and basic standards of
hygiene
along
experimental activities.

The student doesnt

apply the rules of
personal safety and
basic standards of
hygiene along
experimental
activities.

Criterion: Chemical
products symbol
knowledge

The student interprets all

the
safeties
symbol
labeled in chemicals and
laboratory equipment.

The student interprets the

main safeties symbol
labeled in chemicals and
laboratory equipment.

Definition:
The student interprets
the
main
safeties
symbol
labeled in
chemicals
and
laboratory equipment.
Criterion: lab
materials knowledge

Criterion: student
attitude

The student applies rules

of personal safety and
basic standards of
hygiene along
experimental activities.

The student shows

some distractions with
respect to some rules of
personal safety and
basic standards of
hygiene along
experimental activities.