Difference between revisions of "MS-LS4-6"
(Vocabulary section (terms from the Middle School Science Glossary) and PLD example questions) |
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| Level4 = Use mathematical representations and other empirical data to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. | | Level4 = Use mathematical representations and other empirical data to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. | ||
| Level3 = Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. | | Level3 = Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. | ||
| − | | Example3 = [[Questions:Behavior and Evolution of Guppies#q3|Spring 2025 | + | | Example3 = [[Questions:Behavior and Evolution of Guppies#q3|Spring 2025 · Q49]] |
| Level2 = Use a given mathematical representation to describe the evidence that supports the explanation that natural selection causes an increase and/or decrease in a specific trait in a population. | | Level2 = Use a given mathematical representation to describe the evidence that supports the explanation that natural selection causes an increase and/or decrease in a specific trait in a population. | ||
| Level1 = Use a given mathematical representation to identify the evidence that supports the explanation, from those provided, that natural selection causes an increase or decrease in a specific trait in a population. | | Level1 = Use a given mathematical representation to identify the evidence that supports the explanation, from those provided, that natural selection causes an increase or decrease in a specific trait in a population. | ||
Revision as of 09:33, 18 October 2026
Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on using mathematical models, probability statements, and proportional reasoning to support explanations of trends in changes to populations over time.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations.
Grade 8 Science Test Questions
Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS4-6 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 Grade 8 Test | Behavior and Evolution of Guppies | Question 49 |
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.
- adaptation
- empirical data
- environmental condition
- evidence
- explanation
- generation
- Hardy-Weinberg calculation
- mathematical model
- mathematical representation
- natural selection
- population
- probability statement
- proportional reasoning
- reproduction
- species
- survival
- trait
- trend
- graph – Spring 2025
- natural environment – Spring 2025
- offspring – Spring 2025
- variation – Spring 2025
Performance Level Descriptions
Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS4-6 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS4-6.
This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.
NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation MS-LS4-6 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
- Use mathematical representations to support scientific conclusions and design solutions.
- LS4.C: Adaptation
- Adaptation by natural selection acting over generations is one important process by which species change over time in response to changes in environmental conditions. Traits that support successful survival and reproduction in the new environment become more common.
- Cause and Effect
- Phenomena may have more than one cause, and some cause and effect relationships in systems can only be described using probability.