Topic title: All About Me
Year group: 7
When taught: Spring term
Overview: Term 4 is “all about me.” Pupils will be introduced to some basic genetics as well as the building blocks of life: cells! After learning the basic structure of cells, pupils will then study specialised cells before leading into human reproduction. Pupils will explore the stages of foetus development as well as the physical changes the human body experiences during puberty and learn about the hormones that drive these changes.
What the students targets for this topic?
| I know what the 7 basic life processes are that all living organisms need to do |
| I can label the key organelles in a plant and animal cell |
| I know how to focus an image using a microscope, |
| I know DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell |
| I know DNA carries the instructions for growth and development in all living organisms |
| I know humans have 46 chromosomes |
| I know the chromosomes for female are XX and male XY |
| I know features are passed down generations in genes |
| I can label the main parts of the male and female reproductive systems |
| I know that gametes fuse to produce a zygote |
| I can describe the stages of pregnancy |
| I know the main developments of the foetus during the stages of pregnancy |
| I can describe the birth process and what labour is |
| I know for a baby to be born the cervix must be fully dilated |
| I know what puberty is |
| I can state the changes that happen during puberty to both girls and boys |
Why is this important to know?
- This topic looks at the science behind human reproduction and sits alongside content learnt in year 7 personal development (PD) lessons.
- The structure and function of plant and animal cell organelles are introduced, and this is key foundation knowledge for progressing onto the GCSE Biology content.
- During this topic the reproductive systems, fertilisation, stages in pregnancy and birth, puberty and the menstrual cycle are learnt using scientific key terms and how the interaction of hormones affect the development of the body during puberty.
- Genetics is introduced and the idea of inheritance to explain why organisms look a mixture of both parents.
Where does this link into our past and future learning?
- This topic builds upon previous sex education taught at primary school but with a scientific focus. Students learn where in the reproductive system sex cells are produced and where fertilisation occurs. At KS4 this will progress into learning about meiosis which is the cell division that produces sperm and eggs.
- Genetic terms such as chromosome, allele, dominant and recessive are taught which will then continue at KS4 where students will learn about inherited diseases as part of their GCSE content.
- This topic very much supports content learnt in PSHE and PD throughout secondary school and also supports KS4 content where students learn how hormones in contraceptives and fertility treatments work.
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- There will be an end of unit test in class to formally assess the skills developed. There will be online homework quizzes to help students practice their skills.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
- Mature attitude to content.
- Using correct key terms to describe the parts of the human reproductive systems.
- Using highlighters to emphasis key terms such as allele, phenotype, dominant and then using them correctly in work.
- At the highest level, pupils will be able to us Punnett squares to show the possible offspring phenotypes based on the parent genotypes.
Diagrams should be large and labelled. The function of cell organelles should be given and additional improvements made in green pen as work is reviewed.
What key words are there in this topic?
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Study more about additional cell organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes and what their functions are.
- How do identical and non-identical twins form?
- Read up about dominant and recessive inherited diseases.
What wider reading can be done on this topic?
Inherited disorders including cystic fibrosis and polydactylism – click here
The role of hormones in the menstrual cycle – click here
