Grade 7 Science Unit Plan Unit B - Plants for Food & Fibre (emphasis on Social and Environmental context) Grade 7 Unit Overview (Alberta) Humans have always depended on plants as a source of food and fibre, and to meet a variety of other needs. To better meet these needs, technologies have been developed for selecting and breeding productive varieties, and to maximize their growth by modifying growing environments. (Plant Biotechnology Resource) Long-term sustainability requires that we become aware of the practices we use, and examine impacts of these practices on the larger environment. Alberta Environment (Website)
Concepts Covered and Developed through Instruction
What do the students already know? | What are plants used for? How does technology help us use plants for many purposes? | What must they Learn? | Processes which transform plants into food and fibre products in a sustainable way. |
| General Learner Outcome | Specific Learner Outcomes | Instructional Focus | | Investigate plant uses, and identify links between needs, technologies, products and impacts | 1.0 | - role of plants - uses as food - other uses ( medicine, herbs ) - natural / managed resources ( agricultural, horticultural, forest and grassland environments ) - productivity - sustainability practices | Graphic Organizers w/ Inspiration Research and AV Resources Research and AV Resources
Research / Scientific Reports
Lab Activities Research / Scientific Reports / Internet | Focus 2 | Plant structure / processes |
| Investigate life processes and structures of plants, and interpret related characteristics and needs of plants in a local environment | 2.0 | - structure of seed plants ( root, stem, leaf and flower ) - structural variations - tolerance level - plant processes ( diffusion, osmosis, conduction of fluids, transpiration, photosynthesis and gas exchange in plants ) - life cycles of seed plants | Scientific Illustrations
Research / Scientific Reports Lab Activities Lab Activities / Demonstrations / Illustrations
Scientific Illustrations
| Focus 3 | Controlling Factors |
| Analyze plant environments and identify impacts of specific factors and controls | 3.0 | - productivity (yields) - soil profile - soil quality - pest control - consequences | Lab Activities Challenge Project Lab Activities Research / Scientific Reports Investigating an Issue | | Identify and interpret relationships between human needs, technologies, environments, and the culture and use of living things as sources of food and fibre | 4.0 | - selective breeding - land management - sustainability | Research / Scientific Reports Research / Scientific Reports Research / Scientific Reports |
|