Difference between revisions of "MS-LS4-2"
From NY Science Standards Wiki
(Vocabulary section (terms from the Middle School Science Glossary) and PLD example questions) |
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| Level3 = Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. | | Level3 = Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. | ||
| Level2 = Identify the evidence that supports an explanation for anatomical similarities and/or differences among modern organisms or between modern and fossil organisms, to infer evolutionary relationships. | | Level2 = Identify the evidence that supports an explanation for anatomical similarities and/or differences among modern organisms or between modern and fossil organisms, to infer evolutionary relationships. | ||
| − | | Example2 = [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes#q3|Spring 2026 Question 46]] | + | | Example2 = [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes#q3|Spring 2026 Question 46]], [[Questions:Behavior and Evolution of Guppies#q2|Spring 2025 Question 48]], [[Questions:Evolutionary Relationships#q3|Spring 2024 Question 25]] |
| Level1 = Identify the explanation, from those provided, that supports the evidence for anatomical similarities and/or differences among modern organisms or between modern and fossil organisms, to infer evolutionary relationships. | | Level1 = Identify the explanation, from those provided, that supports the evidence for anatomical similarities and/or differences among modern organisms or between modern and fossil organisms, to infer evolutionary relationships. | ||
| Example1 = [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes#q2|Spring 2026 Question 45]] | | Example1 = [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes#q2|Spring 2026 Question 45]] | ||
Revision as of 08:09, 18 October 2026
Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on explanations of the evolutionary relationships among organisms in terms of similarity or differences of the gross appearance of anatomical structures as evidence of common ancestry.
Grade 8 Science Test Questions
Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS4-2 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.
Vocabulary
Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.
From this standard
- anatomical difference
- anatomical similarity
- anatomical structure
- anatomy
- common ancestor
- common ancestry
- evidence
- evolution
- evolutionary descent
- evolutionary history
- evolutionary relationship
- explanation
- fossil
- fossil organism
- gross appearance
- inference
- line of descent
- modern organism
- qualitative data
- quantitative data
- scientific idea
From released test questions
- ancestor – Spring 2026
- beak – Spring 2024
- body structure – Spring 2025
- bone structure – Spring 2026
- claim – Spring 2026
- dinosaur – Spring 2024
- diversity – Spring 2026
- egg – Spring 2024
- embryo – Spring 2024
- embryological development – Spring 2025
- extinction – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
- eye socket – Spring 2024
- fossil evidence – Spring 2025
- fossilized skeleton – Spring 2026
- genetic variation – Spring 2026
- habitat – Spring 2025
- mammal – Spring 2026
- natural habitat – Spring 2025
- paleontologist – Spring 2024
- skeleton – Spring 2026, Spring 2024
- skull – Spring 2024
- species – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
- spine – Spring 2026
- survival – Spring 2025
- tail – Spring 2024
- variation – Spring 2025
- vertebra – Spring 2024
Implied by this standard
- homologous structures – implied by "anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms" as "evidence of common ancestry"
Performance Level Descriptions
Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS4-2 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.
Level 1: Identify the explanation, from those provided, that supports the evidence for anatomical similarities and/or differences among modern organisms or between modern and fossil organisms, to infer evolutionary relationships. Spring 2026 Question 45
Level 2: Identify the evidence that supports an explanation for anatomical similarities and/or differences among modern organisms or between modern and fossil organisms, to infer evolutionary relationships. Spring 2026 Question 46, Spring 2025 Question 48, Spring 2024 Question 25
Level 3: Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.
Level 4: Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation, using qualitative and quantitative data, for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS4-2.
This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.
NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation MS-LS4-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
Science and Engineering Practices
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
- Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for real-world phenomena, examples, or events.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
- LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
- Anatomical similarities and differences between various organisms living today and between them and organisms in the fossil record, enable the reconstruction of evolutionary history and the inference of lines of evolutionary descent.
Crosscutting Concepts
- Patterns
- Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.
- Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort and classify organisms.