Mr. Brent Shelton » Seventh Grade Science at TFAA

Seventh Grade Science at TFAA

science
 

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! My name is Mr. Shelton, and I’m thrilled to be your 7th grade science teacher at Thurman Francis Arts Academy. I can’t wait to begin this journey with you—it’s truly an honor to be part of your educational experience.

 

A little about me: I’m married, a proud parent of three, and I love spending time outdoors. I’ve been in education for 26 years, serving as a classroom teacher, science program coordinator with Vanderbilt University, and assistant principal. Most recently, I spent five wonderful years teaching 7th grade science at Stewarts Creek Middle School.

 

My core belief is that open communication, trust, and mutual respect between students, parents, and teachers are essential for success. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns—I’m always happy to connect and will respond as promptly as possible.

 

In my classroom, I emphasize positivity and motivation. I believe students thrive when they feel encouraged and valued. To that end, I use daily and weekly incentives like Jolly Ranchers for everyday achievements, popsicles for winning classroom games, and ice cream to celebrate consistent hard work and perseverance. These small rewards build excitement and encourage students to give their best effort.

 

I’m passionate about science and teaching, and I’m committed to making this year both fun and challenging. You can expect to be engaged in hands-on science practices, encouraged to think critically about the world around you, and inspired to look forward to class each day. I believe in making the most of every moment we have together—after all, there’s no substitute for time on task!

 

One phrase you’ll hear often in my class is: “If you know the song, you know the science!” Get ready to learn through music, collaborate with classmates, move around, explore strange phenomena, ask deep questions, build models, and dive into all that the 7th grade science curriculum has to offer.

 

Let’s go, Rams!

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Shelton

7th Grade Science Teacher

Thurman Francis Arts Academy

“IYKTSYKTS”

 
Science is best!!!
 
bl  DNA  hoodie    atom  fangscell   pt
==================:===============================================
Semester #1 Blooket - Life Science
 
Semester #2 Blooket - Chemistry
 
 
 
 
 
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Photosynthesis Song -
 
Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration -
 
Photo and CR GimKit -
 
Photo and CR Blookets -
 
Unit Vocabulary-

Photosynthesis – how plants create “make” their own food

using sunlight

Cellular Respiration – how plants and animals break

down food for energy(ATP), using oxygen.

Anaerobic Respiration – occurs WITHOUT oxygen

Aerobic Respiration – occurs WITH oxygen

Autotroph – organism that makes its own food in

chloroplasts...plants

Heterotroph – organism that hunts food for energy...animals

Chloroplastsite of photosynthesis occurs in plant cells.

Mitochondria – organelle where cellular respiration occurs

in plant and animal cells.

Chemical Energypotential energy stored in atom bonds

Mechanical Energy – total energy due to motion

 

 
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration PPT -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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LOCOM Gimkit:
 
LOCOM Blookets:
 
 
LOCOM PPT - Slides 39-43 for 3-D Model Equations
 
 
 
 
 
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RCS Mobile Learning Labs-
 
*You MUST score a 100 on this safety test to participate Wednesday and Thursday.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Wednesday's Sub Plans for Science
 
Good morning.  Today is very important.  This is not your typical, "we have a sub so let's just goof off day."  No way!  In order to get through what we need to, you need to trust me and follow my lesson plans very precisely today to the best of your ability.  Will you do that for me??  You will need headphones, your journal, and a pencil today and tomorrow.  LOCK IN!!!
 
Part 1 - Watch the following video link.  As you're watching, record the chemical compounds and atom counts.  These are considered notes.  Pause the video as frequently as you need to.  The 3 pics below are the equations you should have recorded in your journal when I return tomorrow.
 
green chart 1  green chart 2  
 
green chart 3
 
    
 
Part 2 - Watch the following video...this is COOL!!  Real world applications.  Answer the following 2 questions in your journal after your watch...
 
 
Question #1 - What are inputs?
Question #2 - What are outputs?
 
Cool huh?!
 
Part 3 - Go to Study Island and answer the assigned 25 practice questions on LOCOM...the law of conservation of mass.
 
study island
 
 
 
Part 4 - Complete the practice sheet of equations that I've left for you.  If you do not finish in class, it is homework to complete.  DON'T QUIT ON ME.  THESE TWO DAYS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOU WORKING SO HARD IN MY ABSENCE!  You're the best!!  
 
Part 5 - LOCOM GimKit if you need extra work...
 
 
 
gimkit
 
 
 
 
See you all tomorrow.  I've missed you all.
 
Mr. Shelton
Science is best!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Tuesday's Sub Plans for Science: 
 
Good morning.  Today and tomorrow are very important.  Today and tomorrow are not your typical, "we have a sub so let's just goof off days."  No way!  In order to get through what we need to, you need to trust me and follow my lesson plans very precisely over the next two days to the best of your ability.  Will you do that for me??  You will need headphones, your journal, and a pencil today and tomorrow.  LOCK IN!!!
 
Part 1 - Watch the phenomena video link, then write down these vocabulary terms in your science journal...annotate them as usual...
 
 
Unit Vocabulary:
  1. Reactant – The atoms that react...to the left
  2. Product – The atoms that are produced...to the right
  3. Coefficient – The whole # multiplier...BIG #
  4. Subscript - How many atoms you have...small #
  5. Mass – amount of matter in a given space
  6. Chemical Equation - symbolic, mathematical representations of chemical reactions
  7. Balanced - the reactants mass and atom count are EQUAL to the products mass and atom count
  8. Chemical Reaction – chemical process where reactants interact to form new products or substances...PURE
  9. Law of Conservation of Mass – matter cannot be created or destroyed (LOCOM)
  10. Input - what goes "into" the chemical reaction
  11. Output - what comes "out" of the chemical reaction
 
 
Part 2 - Play the vocabulary Blooket linked below...2 rounds 3-4 minutes each.  This will build your vocabulary strength.
 
 
 
Part 3 - Watch the following Video link very carefully.  In your journal, list 2-3 facts that you found new and/or interesting.
 
 
Journal Video Fact list-
1.
2.
 
 
Part 4 - Watch the following video link very carefully.  In your journal, list 2-3 facts that you found new and/or interesting.
 
 
Journal Video Fact List-
1.
2.
 
 
Part 5 - You will be watching an instructional video on how to count atoms, coefficients, subscripts, and "is it balanced or not."  I really wish I was there doing this with you all but unfortunately I'm not:(  Stay with me here, watch this clip very carefully, and I will be back to clear up any misconceptions.  YOU CAN DO THIS!!  
 
While you watch the video, sketch the two charts in your science journal and complete them with the narrator.  PLEASE DO THIS.  I WANT TO SEE THESE IN YOUR JOURNAL ON THURSDAY.  THIS IS NOT WASTED TIME.
 
 
Draw and complete equation chart 1 when you get to it...
 
chart 1
 
 
Draw and complete equation chart 2 when you get to it...
 
chart 2
 
Pause the video as many times as you need too to complete this part of the lesson today.
 
Part 6 - Complete the practice sheet I leave you for counting atoms and determining if the chemical equation is balanced or not.  If the atoms of the reactants match the atoms of the products, the equation is balanaced...LOCOM is upheld.  If the atoms of the reactants do not exactly match the atoms of the products, the equations is NOT balanced and LOCOM is NOT upheld.  Make sense??
 
Part 7 - With any time left over, play the Blooket linked below...thank you so much for your hard work today!!  It means alot to me that you would take these two days seriously and not just waste time.
 
 
 
See you all soon!!
 
Mr. Shelton
Science is best!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Test Link for Tuesday and Wednesday:  CTRL - Click to open the link
 
 
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States of Matter GimKit:
 
States of Matter Blookets:
 
Unit #12 Vocabulary:
  1. Temperature – measure of hotness or coldness
  2. Pressure – physical force exerted on an object
  3. Intermolecular Attractionforce that determines the physical properties of a substance
  4. Thermal Energy – energy contained in a system that determines temperature...HEAT
  5. Triple Point Diagram – diagram that shows the three states of matter for a substance
  6. Kinetic Energy – the energy of particles in motion
  7. Open Systemcan exchange matter and energy with its surroundings..."open"
  8. Closed Systemcannot exchange matter and energy with its surroundings..."sealed"
  9. Solid – Definite shape, Definite volume, least energy 
  10. LiquidNO definite shape, Definite volume, mid energy
  11. Gas – NO Definite shape or volume, most energy 
 
Unit #12 States of Matter Power-point:
 
 
 
 
 
 
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#2 - Study Island Practice Questions:  Access through Clever
 
#3 - Unit #13 Gimkit-
 
 
Unit #13 Blookets-
 
Unit #13 Vocabulary-
  1. Release – to give off or go out
  2. Absorb – to take in
  3. Solute – dissolved into solvent...salt (less)
  4. Solvent – dissolves other substances...water (more)
  5. Chemical reaction – changing substances to totally new substances...A + B = C
  6. Thermal Energy – hot or cold
  7. Endothermic – heat absorbed = cooling
  8. Exothermic – heat released = warming
  9. Reactants – factors/molecules on the left side
  10. Products – factors/molecules on the right side
 
 Endothermic/Exothermic Ppt Presentation-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Unit #12 Pure Substance and Mixtures:
Blooket #1 - https://play.blooket.com/play?hwId=6980cac49dcf52d5ecc20903
 
Unit #12 Vocabulary -
Element – purest, simplest form of matter
Molecule – 2 or more atoms chemically bonded
Matter-any substance that has mass and takes up space
Pure Substance-has constant/same composition and properties throughout
Mixture-2 or more substances physically combined...not bonded
Homogeneous Mixture- mixture that appears to be the same throughout
Heterogeneous Mixture-mixture where you can see the different substances 
Chemical Property-characteristics of a substance during a chemical reaction
Physical Property-characteristic of matter that can be observed and measured without changing the chemical identity of the sample.
 
Filtration-separating materials by physical means
 
 
Pure Substances and Mixtures Power-point:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Unit #11 GimKit:
 
Unit #11 Blookets:
 
 
Unit #11 Vocabulary:
  1. Atom – made of protons, neutrons, and electrons
  2. Matter – anything that has mass and takes up space
  3. Element – pure substance made up of only one type of atom
  4. Molecule – group of atoms chemically bonded together
  5. Monatomic – made of only one atom and no bonding 
  6. Diatomic – made up of two atoms bonded
  7. Elemental Molecule – two or more of the same atoms chemically bonded together
  8. Compound Molecule – two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together
  9. Ionic Bond – bond where electrons are transferred
  10. Covalent Bond – bond where electrons are shared
 
Unit #11 Power-point:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Bill Nye - Atoms
 
Atoms Phet Simulator:
 
Lightning Explained:
 
Atoms Gimkits:
 
Atoms Blookets:
 
Unit #10  Atoms Vocabulary-
  1. Atom – makes up all matter
  2. Electron – subatomic particle with a nEgative(-) charge
  3. Proton – subatomic particle with a positive(+) charge
  4. Neutron – subatomic particle with NO(none) charge
  5. Atomic Nucleus – made up of protons and neutrons
  6. Orbital Shell – rings around the nucleus that hold electrons
  7. Valence Electron – electrons in the outermost shell
  8. Periodic Table – visual arrangement of chemical elements
  9. Atomic Number – number of electrons in the element
  10. Subatomic Particle – smaller than the atom
  11. Matter – any substance with mass that takes up space
  12. Property – characteristic that can be observed or measured
 
Unit #10 Ppt -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Shelton's Homeroom Citizenship Ballot:
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Epic School Board Rap:
 
 
Unit #9 Phenomena Links:
 
Growth Factors Blookets:
 
Growth Factors GimKit:
 
Unit #9 Vocabulary:
  1. Adaptation- changing to survive in your environment 
  2. Environmental Factor- any factor, whether abiotic or biotic, that influences living organisms
  3. Inherited Factor- alleles/genes passed down from parent to offspring
  4. Growth- process of increasing in size and maturity
  5. Population Densitynumber of organisms in a given area
  6. Carry Capacity – number of organisms an area can healthily support
  7. Stimulus- something that causes a response
  8. Nutrients- essential substances organisms need
  9. Natural Selection- only the fittest and strongest survive
  10. Resistant- unable to be affected by
  11. Modification- a change made to a system
 
Unit #9 Power-point:  Growth Factors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Tuesday Afternoon Sub Plans:
#1 - Study Island Practice Questions over Mutations.  Goal is 90% or better on all 30 questions.
 
#2 - Color by Numbers - 2 sheets, fill in the blanks on the paragraph, then color the sheet corresponding to your answer choices.
 
#3 - Nearpod -

Class Codes

4th - YC5K2

5th - 586EJ

6th - RV7AH

7th - P2KM9

 

#4 - Wild Kratts Link - Watch this with headphones.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Thursday:
Mutations GimKit:
 
 
 
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Mutations Blookets:
 
Unit #8 - Mutations - Ppt:
 
Unit #8 Vocabulary:
  1. Mutation – change in DNA that creates new PROTEIN
  2. Gene – section of DNA that codes for protein
  3. DNA – found in the nucleus of each cell
  4. Protein – molecule that gives you your trait
  5. Helpful Mutation – beneficial..change that makes you stronger
  6. Harmful Mutation – hurts..change that harms you
  7. Neutral Mutation – harmless..change that doesn't affect you
  8. Insertion Mutation – genes added to your DNA
  9. Deletion Mutation – genes removed from your DNA
  10. Substitution Mutation – genes replaced in your DNA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Gimkit(Don't Look Down):
 
Gimkit(Fishtopia):
 
Gimkit(Cash Tycoon):
 
Sexual vs Asexual Gimkit:
 
 
Sexual vs Asexual Blookets:
 
 
Unit #7 Phenomena Video Links:
 
 
Unit #7 Vocabulary:
  1. Advantage – a good circumstance
  2. Disadvantage - a bad circumstance
  3. Genetic Variation – organisms with different genes
  4. Reproduction – process of a creating offspring
  5. Asexual Reproduction – reproducing with one parent cell
  6. Sexual Reproduction – reproducing with two parent cells
  7. Offspring – the product of reproduction
  8. Survival – continuing to live or exist
  9. Genotype – alleles you inherit from parents
  10. Heredity – DNA you received from your parents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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DNA, Genes, Chromosomes Blooket Links:
 
 
Unit #6 Phenomenon Video Link:
 
 
Unit #6 Vocabulary:
  1. Chromosome – made up of condensed DNA
  2. Gene – portion of DNA
  3. DNA – genetic material inherited from parents
  4. Dominant – stronger gene, allele
  5. Recessive – weaker gene, allele
  6. Trait – an inherited characteristic, expressed
  7. Protein – made by genes, produces traits
  8. Pairs – set of 2 chromosomes
  9. Hierarchy – organized from simple to complex 
 
Unit #6 Powerpoint:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Punnett Squares Test Review Blooket:
 
 
 
 
Coin Flip Simulator:
 
Phenomena Video Links:
 
 
Genetics Blookets:
 
Punnett Squares Gimkits:
 
 
Unit #5 Vocabulary
  1. Gene- specific sequence of DNA...codes for a trait
  2. Trait- characteristic passed from one generation to another
  3. Allele- different versions of the trait (eye colors)
  4. Dominant trait- stronger gene/allele (capital letters)
  5. Recessive trait- weaker gene/allele (lower case letters)
  6. Phenotype- physical trait, what you look like (blue eyes)
  7. Genotype- letter set inherited (BB, Bb, bb)
  8. Probability- Odds...1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4
  9. Heterozygous- different genes or letters (Bb, Tt, Rr)
  10. Homozygous- same genes or letters (TT, RR, EE)
  11. Punnett square- mathematical model for inheritance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Teacher Dress Up Day:
Bald Cap-
 
Fake Beard-
 
 
 
 
 
 
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A-squared
 
 
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Receptor Rap Track:
 
Tone Generator:
 
Blooket Games, Unit #4:
 
Gimkit:
 
 
Phenomena Videos:
 
 
Unit #4 Vocabulary:
  • Stimulus – something that causes an organism to react
  • Taste – using taste buds to find safe food
  • Smell – using olfactory senses to signal the brain
  • Sight – using the eyes to stay safe in an environment
  • Mechanoreceptor – cell detecting pain, pressure, and sound
  • Thermoreceptor – cell detecting heat and cold (thermal energy)
  • Chemoreceptor – cell detecting scent and taste
  • Photoreceptor – cell detecting "light"
  • Nervous System – the brain, spinal cord, and nerves
  • Neuron – a nerve cell
 
Unit #4 Ppt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Test Reveiw:
 
 
Digestive System Pill Video:
 
Human Body Systems Blookets:
 
Human Body Gimkits:
 
 
Human Body Systems Vocabulary:
 
  1. Body system- made up of specialized organs that perform a specific function/job
  2. Sensation- the ability to feel and sense one's environment
  3. Locomotion- the ability to move
  4. Interdependence- to work together...systems always work together
  5. Homeostasis- a state of balance among all body systems
  6. Equilibrium- a state of balance (Ex. 10 = 10)
  7. Nutrientsfood carried by the blood to your cells
  8. Immunitynot able to contract or be infected by
  9. Carbon Dioxide – waste gas exhaled by humans
  10.  
  11. Blood – tissue that carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients to all cells
 
 
Body Systems PPT:  Starts on slide #102
 
 
 
 
 
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CTOSO Blookets:
 
Gimkit:
 
Unit #3 PPT:
 
Unit #3 Vocabulary:

Turn to a New page in your journal:

  1. Cell- basic unit of life
  2. Tissue- group of similar cells
  3. Organ- group of tissues working together
  4. Organ system- 2 or more organs working together
  5. Organism- made of multiple organ systems working together
  6. MULTI-CELLULAR- made of 2 or more cells
  7. UNI-CELLULAR- made of only 1 cell
  8. Specialized Cell- cell doing a specific job
  9. Independent – functions alone
  10. Interdependent – depends on others
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Test Review Link:
 
Test Review Link:
 
Cells Across Kingdoms Class PPT:
 
Cells Across Kingdoms Blookets:
 
 
 Phenomena Videos:
 
 
Unit #2 Vocabulary:
  1. Autotroph – "auto"matically makes own food (chloroplast)

  2. Heterotroph – "hunter" consumer (no chloroplast)

  3. Asexual Reproduction – reproduction with ONE parent cell

  4. Sexual Reproduction – reproduction with TWO parent cells

  5. Prokaryote – No nucleus (NO!)

  6. Eukaryote – Has a nucleus (You DO!)

  7. Terrestrial – lives on land (TREE)

  8. Aquatic – lives in water (Aqua=water)

  9. Unicellular – only one cell

  10. Multicellular – 2 or more cells

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Gimkit #2:
 
Bill Nye Cells:
 
IXL Practice:
 
Cells Alive:
 
Cell Organelles Blooket #4:
 
Cell Rap:
 
Solar-powered Slug Video:
 
Cell Organelles Blooket Games:
 
Cell Organelles Gimkit:
 
Cell Organelles Vocabulary:
 
  1. Cell Membrane- "Semi-permeable" layer surrounding all cells
  2. Cell Wall- "Rigid" covers PLANT Cells
  3. Cytoplasm- "Jelly-like" fluid and the organelles.
  4. Mitochondria- "Powerhouse" of the cell...ENERGY producer!
  5. Nucleus- DNA found here; "brain/control center" of the cell
  6. Ribosomes- Make "protein, protein, protein"
  7. Endoplasmic Reticulum- "Passageways" to transport proteins
  8. Golgi Bodies- packages proteins..."packager"
  9. Chloroplasts- Green, PLANT cells, make food..."photosynthesis!"
  10. Large Vacuoles- Store "water" for the PLANT cell..."vacupool"
  11. Lysosomes- The "cleaner" of the cell..."Lysol"
 
 
Cell Organelles Ppt:
 
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10 tiniest animals:
 
Virtual Microscope:
 
First Week Ppt:
 
Microsoft Form:  Getting to know you
 
Lab Safety Rap:
 
Blooket Link - Lab Safety
 
Blooket Link - Mr. Shelton
 
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RCS Science Curriculum Guides:  Click on 7th Grade...
WELCOME BACK to the 2025-26 school year!!!  The year begins here...
 
 
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Name
Mr. Brent Shelton
Position
7th Grade Science