NZ Curriculum · Year 7 Science · Intermediate

Year 7 Science Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year Year 7 science lesson plan for the New Zealand Curriculum (Science learning area). 114 lessons across the school year from February to December, set out week by week for 1, 2, 3 or 4 lessons a week, covering particle model and mixtures, forces, classification and ecosystems and The Earth–Sun–Moon system.

Explore lesson mapBook a free trial
4Terms
39Weekly checkpoints
1-on-1Tutor support
Interactive curriculum browser

Year 7 Science learning map

Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice
February · Particle model and mixtures

Year 7 Science — February Lesson Plan

New Zealand Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week4 Day/Week
February 1st week
(Science)		Introduction to Particle Theory 1. The 3 states of matter (solid, liquid, gas)Introduction to Particle Theory 1. The 3 states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) 2. How particles are arranged in each stateIntroduction to Particle Theory 1. The 3 states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) 2. How particles are arranged in each state 3. How particles move in each stateIntroduction to Particle Theory 1. The 3 states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) 2. How particles are arranged in each state 3. How particles move in each state Particle Motion & Attraction 1. How the motion of particles differs between states
February 2nd week
(Science)		Introduction to Particle Theory 1. How particles are arranged in each stateIntroduction to Particle Theory 1. How particles move in each state Particle Motion & Attraction 1. How the motion of particles differs between statesParticle Motion & Attraction 1. How the motion of particles differs between states 2. Forces of attraction between particles and how they differ between states 3. Practice: sketching particle diagrams showing arrangement, motion and attraction for each stateParticle Motion & Attraction 1. Forces of attraction between particles and how they differ between states 2. Practice: sketching particle diagrams showing arrangement, motion and attraction for each state Relating Particle Behaviour to Properties 1. How particle arrangement/motion/attraction explain a substance's properties (e.g. why gases can be compressed but solids can't) 2. Changes of state explained using particle theory
February 3rd week
(Science)		Introduction to Particle Theory 1. How particles move in each stateParticle Motion & Attraction 1. Forces of attraction between particles and how they differ between states 2. Practice: sketching particle diagrams showing arrangement, motion and attraction for each stateRelating Particle Behaviour to Properties 1. How particle arrangement/motion/attraction explain a substance's properties (e.g. why gases can be compressed but solids can't) 2. Changes of state explained using particle theory 3. Practice: explaining a real substance's properties using particle theoryRelating Particle Behaviour to Properties 1. Practice: explaining a real substance's properties using particle theory Investigating Particle Theory 1. Planning and conducting an investigation into a particle-theory phenomenon (e.g. diffusion, expansion) 2. Recording and representing the results Pure Substances vs Mixtures 1. What a pure substance is (element or compound)
February 4th week
(Science)		Particle Motion & Attraction 1. How the motion of particles differs between statesRelating Particle Behaviour to Properties 1. How particle arrangement/motion/attraction explain a substance's properties (e.g. why gases can be compressed but solids can't) 2. Changes of state explained using particle theoryInvestigating Particle Theory 1. Planning and conducting an investigation into a particle-theory phenomenon (e.g. diffusion, expansion) 2. Recording and representing the results Pure Substances vs Mixtures 1. What a pure substance is (element or compound)Pure Substances vs Mixtures 1. What a mixture is 2. Using the particle model to explain the difference between pure substances and mixtures 3. Practice: classifying real substances as pure or a mixture, using particle diagrams Types of Mixtures 1. Solutions (solute + solvent)
March · Particle model and mixtures

Year 7 Science — March Lesson Plan

New Zealand Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week4 Day/Week
March 1st week
(Science)		Particle Motion & Attraction 1. Forces of attraction between particles and how they differ between statesRelating Particle Behaviour to Properties 1. Practice: explaining a real substance's properties using particle theory Investigating Particle Theory 1. Planning and conducting an investigation into a particle-theory phenomenon (e.g. diffusion, expansion)Pure Substances vs Mixtures 1. What a mixture is 2. Using the particle model to explain the difference between pure substances and mixtures 3. Practice: classifying real substances as pure or a mixture, using particle diagramsTypes of Mixtures 1. Suspensions and colloids 2. Practice: identifying real mixtures as solutions, suspensions or colloids Properties That Allow Mixture Separation 1. Properties used to separate mixtures (particle size, boiling point, solubility, magnetism) 2. Matching a property to the separation technique it enables
March 2nd week
(Science)		Particle Motion & Attraction 1. Practice: sketching particle diagrams showing arrangement, motion and attraction for each stateInvestigating Particle Theory 1. Recording and representing the results Pure Substances vs Mixtures 1. What a pure substance is (element or compound)Types of Mixtures 1. Solutions (solute + solvent) 2. Suspensions and colloids 3. Practice: identifying real mixtures as solutions, suspensions or colloidsSeparation Techniques 1. Filtration and sieving 2. Evaporation and distillation 3. Chromatography and magnetic separation 4. Practice: choosing and justifying a separation technique for a given mixture
March 3rd week
(Science)		Relating Particle Behaviour to Properties 1. How particle arrangement/motion/attraction explain a substance's properties (e.g. why gases can be compressed but solids can't)Pure Substances vs Mixtures 1. What a mixture is 2. Using the particle model to explain the difference between pure substances and mixturesProperties That Allow Mixture Separation 1. Properties used to separate mixtures (particle size, boiling point, solubility, magnetism) 2. Matching a property to the separation technique it enables Separation Techniques 1. Filtration and sievingApplying Separation — Investigation 1. Planning and conducting an investigation to separate a real mixture, including a risk assessment 2. Recording and analysing the results Term 1 Assessment & Consolidation 1. Revision workshop — particle theory and states of matter 2. Revision workshop — mixtures, pure substances and separation techniques
March 4th week
(Science)		Relating Particle Behaviour to Properties 1. Changes of state explained using particle theoryPure Substances vs Mixtures 1. Practice: classifying real substances as pure or a mixture, using particle diagrams Types of Mixtures 1. Solutions (solute + solvent)Separation Techniques 1. Evaporation and distillation 2. Chromatography and magnetic separation 3. Practice: choosing and justifying a separation technique for a given mixtureTerm 1 Assessment & Consolidation 1. Term 1 assessment: particle model and mixtures topic test 2. Feedback session What Is a Force? 1. Forces as pushes and pulls 2. Contact vs non-contact forces
April · Particle model and mixtures

Year 7 Science — April Lesson Plan

New Zealand Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week4 Day/Week
April 1st week
(Science)		Relating Particle Behaviour to Properties 1. Practice: explaining a real substance's properties using particle theoryTypes of Mixtures 1. Suspensions and colloids 2. Practice: identifying real mixtures as solutions, suspensions or colloidsApplying Separation — Investigation 1. Planning and conducting an investigation to separate a real mixture, including a risk assessment 2. Recording and analysing the results Term 1 Assessment & Consolidation 1. Revision workshop — particle theory and states of matterWhat Is a Force? 1. Practice: identifying forces acting in a real scenario Balanced & Unbalanced Forces 1. What balanced forces are and their effect (no change in motion) 2. What unbalanced forces are and their effect (change in motion) 3. Practice: determining whether forces in a scenario are balanced or unbalanced
April 2nd week
(Science)		Investigating Particle Theory 1. Planning and conducting an investigation into a particle-theory phenomenon (e.g. diffusion, expansion)Properties That Allow Mixture Separation 1. Properties used to separate mixtures (particle size, boiling point, solubility, magnetism) 2. Matching a property to the separation technique it enablesTerm 1 Assessment & Consolidation 1. Revision workshop — mixtures, pure substances and separation techniques 2. Term 1 assessment: particle model and mixtures topic test 3. Feedback sessionRepresenting Forces 1. Drawing force diagrams (force arrows) for a given scenario 2. Showing direction and relative magnitude of forces 3. Practice: drawing force diagrams for 3 different scenarios Gravitational Force 1. What gravitational force is
The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.

10 minutes

Connect and question

Link the week's idea to what your child already knows and to a real New Zealand context, then pose the question the lesson will answer.

25 minutes

Model and investigate

Work through the science with diagrams, models and worked examples, then plan, carry out or analyse a short investigation.

10 minutes

Check for mastery

Close with exam-style questions or a short explanation task that shows what is secure and what to revisit next lesson.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for Year 7 Science

Concept lessons

Clear, visual lessons on each New Zealand Curriculum science topic.

Practice activities

Short questions and checks matched to each week’s focus.

Science inquiry

Observation, investigation and recording skills built up through the year.

Progress notes

A clear record of what your child has mastered and what comes next.

Free first lesson

Build a plan for Year 7 Science

Tell us what your child is studying in science this term and we will plan the first lesson around the topics and skills they need most.

  • No credit card required
  • A one-to-one session with a certified Science tutor
  • A recommended next-step study plan