Next Generation Science Standards

MS-LS4-1. 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.]

MS-LS4-2. 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.]

MS-LS4-3. Analyze displays of pictorial data to compare patterns of similarities in the embryological development across

multiple species to identify relationships not evident in the fully formed anatomy. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on

inferring general patterns of relatedness among embryos of different organisms by comparing the macroscopic appearance of diagrams or pictures.] [Assessment

Boundary: Assessment of comparisons is limited to gross appearance of anatomical structures in embryological development.]

MS-LS4-4. Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population

increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. [Clarification Statement:

Emphasis is on using simple probability statements and proportional reasoning to construct explanations.]

MS-LS4-5. Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the

inheritance of desired traits in organisms. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on synthesizing information from reliable sources about the

influence of humans on genetic outcomes in artificial selection (such as genetic modification, animal husbandry, gene therapy); and, on the impacts these

technologies have on society as well as the technologies leading to these scientific discoveries.]

MS-LS4-6. 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.]

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7 Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.10 By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

RH.6-8.2. Students can determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

RH.6-8.5. Students can describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).

RH.6-8.9. Students can analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.