- Understand the methods of reproduction in plants (spores vs. seeds: mushrooms, ferns and flowering plants)
- Understand regeneration of plants
- Distinguish between animal and plant life (photosynthesis)
- Distinguish between living and non-living
- Understand plant and animal adaptations that enable them to live in different habitats
Grade 8 (Environmental Interactions and Introduction to Ecology)
- Distinguish between biotic and abiotic factors
- Compare various communities such as bog, pond and forest
- Understand the effect of deforestation and suggest ideas for conservation
- Discuss photosynthesis
- Examine food chains and identify organisms as producers/ consumers
- Discuss relationships among organisms (distinguish between mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism)
- Understand how organisms interact with each other (habitat / niche)
- Understand how seeds germinate and explore plants for proper identification
- Discuss and explore the stages of succession and how it affects life in different habitats
Grade 9 (Diversity of Living Things)
- Define diversity (biodiversity) and how loss of biodiversity may affect the environment
- Examine adaptations of plants and animals in the local environment
- Discuss ways in which seeds are dispersed into the environment
- Understand natural selection
- Discuss life cycles of various organisms (butterflies – metamorphosis)
- Understand the importance of scientific names (classifying and naming organisms)
- Observe soil types
- Understand the methods of reproduction in plants (spores vs. seeds: mushrooms, ferns and flowering plants)
