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.
Grade 8 Science Test Questions
Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS4-1 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2024 | Evolutionary Relationships | Question 27 |
Performance Level Descriptions
Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS4-1 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-LS4-1.
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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.