7th Grade Science Guide

7.5: Changes in Species 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 6

STANDARD ●​ 7.5.3 Construct explanations that describe the patterns of body structure similarities and differences between modern organisms, and between ancient and modern organisms, to infer possible evolutionary relationships. (MS-LS4-2)

CONCEPTS

SKILLS

●​ Patterns of body structures ●​ Similarities and differences between modern and ancient organisms ●​ Evolutionary relationships

●​ Infer ●​ Construct explanations ●​ describe

LEARNING PROGRESSIONS

●​ All organism have specific anatomical features ●​ We can look at anatomical features and compare similarities and differences to infer relationships ●​ Organisms that share a pattern of anatomical features are likely to be more closely related ●​ Changes over time in the fossil record in anatomical features can be used to infer evolutionary descent

VOCABULARY ●​ Patterns

●​ Ancestor ●​ Fossil record ●​ Anatomy ●​ Diversity ●​ extinction

●​ Evolve

●​ Structures ●​ Organisms ●​ Ancient ●​ evolution

POSSIBLE PHENOMENA ●​ Modern day whales have hip bones even though they don’t have hind limbs. ●​ Ancient horses had short legs and toes. ●​ The Paraceratherium is an animal that became extinct over 23 million years ago. It has a skeletal structure that is very similar to the modern day white rhinoceros. ●​ While dolphins and sharks have a very different evolutionary history, they still have some very similar body structures. END OF UNIT COMPETENCY WITH LANGUAGE SUPPORTS ●​ I can explain how patterns found in the body structures of modern and ancient organisms infer that they have possible evolutionary relationships. ○​ Language Supports ■​ Word choice to moderate stance (could/might, a possibility, usually) ■​ Connectors to link clauses (as a result of, therefore, to be more precise, however)