MS-LS4-2
Middle School Science · Next Generation Science Standards · 2013
The Standard
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.
Standard Unwrapping
AI-generated as a starting point.Vocabulary
scientific ideasexplanationanatomical similaritiesanatomical differencesmodern organismsfossil organismsevolutionary relationships
Skills
- apply (scientific ideas to construct an explanation for anatomical similarities and differences) #dok3
- construct (explanations for evolutionary relationships based on anatomical data) #dok3
- compare (anatomical features of modern and fossil organisms) #dok2
- infer (evolutionary relationships from similarities and differences) #dok3
- analyze (data about anatomical structures to identify relationships) #dok2
Learning Targets
- I can identify anatomical similarities and differences among modern and fossil organisms. #dok1
- I can describe evolutionary relationships between organisms using anatomical evidence. #dok2
- I can analyze anatomical data to determine relationships among organisms. #dok2
- I can compare anatomical features of modern and fossil organisms to infer patterns. #dok2
- I can apply scientific ideas to construct explanations for evolutionary relationships. #dok3
- I can justify inferences about evolutionary history using anatomical similarities and differences. #dok3
Big Ideas
- The anatomical structures of organisms—both living and extinct—provide crucial evidence of evolutionary relationships.
- Similarities and differences in anatomy among modern and fossil organisms reveal patterns that help scientists infer the evolutionary history of life on Earth.
Essential Questions
- What can anatomical similarities and differences among organisms tell us about their evolutionary relationships?
- How do scientists use anatomical evidence to infer relationships between modern and fossil organisms?
- Why are both similarities and differences important in constructing explanations for evolutionary relationships?
- In what ways do fossil organisms help us understand the evolution of life?
- How can scientific ideas about anatomy be applied to explain evolutionary history?
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