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 specifc 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)