Texas TEKS 7.1

7.1 is a TEKS knowledge and skills statement. These are the student expectations under it.

• 7.1.A

  ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations

• 7.1.B

  use scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive, comparative, and experimental investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to prob...

• 7.1.C

  use appropriate safety equipment and practices during laboratory, classroom, and field investigations as outlined in Texas Education Agency-approved safety stan...

• 7.1.D

  use appropriate tools such as graduated cylinders, metric rulers, periodic tables, balances, scales, thermometers, temperature probes, laboratory ware, timing d...

• 7.1.E

  collect quantitative data using the International System of Units (SI) and qualitative data as evidence

• 7.1.F

  construct appropriate tables, graphs, maps, and charts using repeated trials and means to organize data

• 7.1.G

  develop and use models to represent phenomena, systems, processes, or solutions to engineering problems

• 7.1.H

  distinguish between scientific hypotheses, theories, and laws.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students turn observations, readings, and models into testable questions or clearly defined problems. They plan safe investigations, select tools, and collect qualitative and SI measurement data across repeated trials. They organize results, use models, design solutions, and explain how hypotheses, theories, and laws differ.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can choose an investigation type, identify variables, select safe procedures, and record accurate measurements. They calculate means, make a suitable table or graph, and use evidence to explain results. They can build or revise a model and correctly classify a hypothesis, theory, or law.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may call any prediction a hypothesis, assume a theory becomes a law, or treat laws as explanations. They may change several variables at once, skip repeated trials, average mismatched measurements, or graph data without units. They may treat models as exact copies of real systems.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: A plant near a window grows unevenly. Write a safe three-trial investigation plan that names a testable question, variables, one tool, SI measurements, and a data display.

1. 01

   Compare two paper towels by measuring absorbed water with a graduated cylinder, running three trials, calculating means, and graphing results.

2. 02

   Show a photo of algae-covered pond water, then ask students to write one testable question and one clearly defined problem.

3. 03

   Run a card sort matching scenarios to descriptive, comparative, experimental, or engineering investigations, then have pairs defend two choices.

4. 04

   Use schoolyard temperature readings and a satellite image to map hot spots, then propose and model one way to add shade.

• 1.1

  Scientific and engineering practices. The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigat...

• 2.1

  Scientific and engineering practices. The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigat...

• 3.1

  Scientific and engineering practices. The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigat...

• 6.1

  The 6th Grade version of this standard.