MS-LS4-1 | Fossil Record and Evolution
Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on finding patterns of changes in the level of complexity of anatomical structures in organisms and the chronological order of fossil appearance in the rock layers.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record.
Performance Level Descriptions
PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of five levels.
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS4-1.
This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.
Assessment
What assessment of MS-LS4-1 might look like on a NY state exam.
NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation MS-LS4-1 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- Analyze and interpret data to determine similarities and differences in findings.
- LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
- The collection of fossils and their placement in chronological order (e.g., through the location of the sedimentary layers in which they are found or through radioactive dating) is known as the fossil record. It documents the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of many life forms throughout the history of life on Earth.
- Patterns
- Graphs, charts, and images can be used to identify patterns in data.
Connections to Other Standards
MS-LS4-1 connections to ELA, math, and other science standards as outlined by the NYS Education Department: