STANDARD: LS4.A Evidence of Common Ancestry & Diversity
Essential question(s): What evidence shows that different species are related?
Evidence: *Assignment, Date, Initial
1.
2.
 Compare and contrast features in fossils
to modern day organisms.
 Use examples of numerous modern
organisms that share a common ancestor.
3.
Evidence: *Assignment, Date, Initial
1.
2.
3.
I can…
MS-LS4.1 Analyze patterns in the fossil record
that document the existence, diversity and
change of life forms.
I can…
MS-LS4.2 Construct an explanation for the
anatomical similarities and differences
between modern and fossil organisms to infer
evolutionary relationships.
 Use similarities in structure of fossils and
modern organisms to determine how an
organism may have changed.
 Use examples of organisms that have
anatomical similarities as evidence for
evolutionary relationships (comparative
anatomy).
Next steps:
Partially Meeting areas to correct:
 P.- I need to compare and contrast features in
fossils to modern day organisms
 P.- I need to use examples of modern
organisms that share a common ancestor.
Way(s) to Exceed:
 E.- I include examples of adaptation to explain
how and why organisms may have changed
over time and are similar or different to fossils.
Next steps:
Partially Meeting areas to correct:
 P.- I need to use similarities of structure
between fossils and modern organisms to
determine how they may have changed.
 P.- I need to use examples of organisms that
have anatomical similarities as evidence for
evolutionary relationships.
Way(s) to Exceed:
 E.- I include examples of adaptation to explain
how and why organisms may have changed
over time and are similar or different to fossils.
Evidence: *Assignment, Date, Initial
1.
2.
3.
I can…
MS-LS4.3 Compare patterns of similarities in
the embryological development across
multiple species to identify relationships not
evident in the fully formed anatomy.
 Examine embryos of different species at
varying developmental stages.
 Explain why at various developmental
stages organisms may share similar
features.
Next steps:
Partially Meeting areas to correct:
 P.- I need to examine embryos of different
species at varying developmental stages.
 P.- I need to explain why at various
developmental stages organisms may share
similar features or structures.
Way(s) to Exceed:
 E.- I use examples to explain how organism
develop through the phylotypic period.