GRADE 8 SCIENCE
Unit 1: Evidence of Common Ancestry- 15 Days
Performance Expectations
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.
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.
Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanationfor the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.
Assessment (Required)
What did T-Rex taste like? The teacher section includes worksheets for students to complete, as well as a Special Assignment that can be used as an assessment.
Standards
MS-LS4-1
MS-LS4-2
MS-LS4-3
Detailed Unit Plans
MS-LS4-1 Unit Plan
MS-LS4-3 Unit Plan
MS-LS4-2 Unit Plan
Essential Questions
How do organisms change over time?
How can the analysis and interpretation of data be used to identify 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?
How can patterns of similarities in the embryological development across multiple species be used to identify relationships not evident in the fully formed anatomy?
How do scientific ideas construct explanations for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships?