SC15.7.1

Science (2015) Grade(s): 7

SC15.7.1
Engage in argument from evidence to support claims of the cell theory.

Unpacked Content

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Crosscutting Concepts

Structure and Function

Knowledge

Students know:

The presence or absence of cells in living and nonliving things.
The presence of cells in a variety of organisms, including unicellular and multicellular organisms.
Different types of cells within one multicellular organism.
Cells only arise from preexisting cells by division.
The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living things.

Skills

Students are able to:

Make a claim about a given explanation or model for a phenomenon, including the cell theory .
Identify and describe the given evidence that supports the claim.
Evaluate the evidence and identify its strengths and weaknesses.
Use reasoning to connect the necessary and sufficient evidence and construct the argument.
Present oral or written arguments to support or refute the given explanation or model for the phenomenon.

Understanding

Students understand that:

The three components of the cell theory:
All life forms are made from one or more cells.
Cells only arise from pre-existing cells.
The cell is the smallest unit of life.

Vocabulary

Cell
Cell theory
Unicellular
Multicellular
Living
Non-living
Organism
Evidence
Scientific argument
Claims

Aligned Learning Resources

The Cell Theory: An Evidence-Based Argument

Design by Adaptive Theme