DEMO MODE
Demo mode: showing all assessments and simulating activityNatural Selection & Adaptation
Total Lessons
15
Assessments
2
Unit Status
Complete
Grade Level
Grade 8
Students investigate how organisms change over time through natural selection and adaptation. They explore fossil evidence, anatomical comparisons, and population changes to understand evolutionary relationships.
Baseline assessment of student understanding of connections between organisms, evidence requirements, and mechanisms for population changes.
Students investigate fossil evidence and begin to understand evolutionary relationships.
Students compare anatomical features between ancient and modern organisms.
Students construct mini explanations about ancient vs. modern penguins, tracking shifts in thinking since Lesson 1.
Students develop and share models of evolutionary relationships.
Students make and defend claims about evolutionary relationships between ancient and modern organisms.
Students explore mechanisms of natural selection through simulations and investigations.
Exit ticket assessment using the General Model for Natural Selection to make predictions about trait variations.
Students investigate how populations change over time through natural selection.
Two-part assessment: investigation planning (MS-LS4-4) and explanation construction (MS-LS4-6).
Transfer task using the General Model for Natural Selection to explain new phenomena.
Students practice constructing evidence-based explanations for evolutionary phenomena.
Individual assessment aligned to MS-LS4-2 using anatomical similarities and differences.
Embedded task aligned to MS-LS4-3 analyzing embryological development patterns.
Students synthesize their learning and reflect on their understanding of natural selection.
Baseline assessment to gauge student understanding before starting the unit. Includes questions about evolutionary relationships and natural selection concepts.
Ongoing assessment template for tracking student progress throughout lessons. Includes rubrics for explanations and model development.
End-of-unit assessment template aligned to NGSS standards. Includes transfer tasks and evidence-based explanation requirements.
This unit includes multiple assessment opportunities designed to track student progress in understanding natural selection and evolutionary relationships. Each assessment builds upon previous learning and provides opportunities for formative and summative evaluation.