• Sample Articles
  • By Standards
  • By Units
  • Everything
  • Science
  • History

Loading Articles...

        Sample Articles

        Preview these sample articles at every reading level

          Browse By
          Standards

          Browse By
          Units


          Loading Articles...


            Loading Articles...


              Loading Articles...


                Loading Articles...


                  Loading Articles...

                    Circulatory System


                    Loading Articles...


                      Loading Articles...


                        Loading Articles...

                          Musculoskeletal System


                          Loading Articles...

                            The Ear and Sound


                            Loading Articles...

                              Earth and Life History


                              Loading Articles...

                                Plate Tectonics


                                Loading Articles...

                                  Digestive System


                                  Loading Articles...


                                    Loading Articles...

                                      Erosion and Weathering


                                      Loading Articles...

                                        Heat and Thermodynamics


                                        Loading Articles...

                                          The Earth System


                                          Loading Articles...


                                            Loading Articles...

                                              Structure of Matter


                                              Loading Articles...


                                                Loading Articles...

                                                  Chemical Reactions


                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                    Chemistry of Living Systems


                                                    Loading Articles...


                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                        Density and Buoyancy


                                                        Loading Articles...


                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                            Thinking Like a Scientist


                                                            Loading Articles...

                                                              Electricity and Magnetism


                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                Information and Technology


                                                                Loading Articles...

                                                                  Nervous System


                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                    Respiratory System


                                                                    Loading Articles...

                                                                      Engineering and Design


                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                        Thinking Like a Historian


                                                                        Loading Articles...


                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                            Fertile Crescent


                                                                            Loading Articles...


                                                                              Loading Articles...


                                                                                Loading Articles...


                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                    Ancient Hebrews


                                                                                    Loading Articles...

                                                                                      Ancient Greece


                                                                                      Loading Articles...


                                                                                        Loading Articles...

                                                                                          Islam in the Middle Ages


                                                                                          Loading Articles...


                                                                                            Loading Articles...

                                                                                              China in the Middle Ages


                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                European Reformation


                                                                                                Loading Articles...

                                                                                                  The Roaring Twenties


                                                                                                  Loading Articles...


                                                                                                    Loading Articles...

                                                                                                      Age of Revolution


                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                        Ghana and Mali in Medieval Africa


                                                                                                        Loading Articles...

                                                                                                          Medieval Japan


                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                            Medieval Europe


                                                                                                            Loading Articles...

                                                                                                              Meso-American and Andean Civilizations


                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                European Renaissance


                                                                                                                Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                  Scientific Revolution


                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                    Age of Exploration


                                                                                                                    Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                      The Enlightenment


                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                        The Age of Reason


                                                                                                                        Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                          Early U.S. Colonial Life


                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                            Leading up to the American Revolution


                                                                                                                            Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                              Development of American Constitutional Democracy


                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                The American Political System


                                                                                                                                Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                  The People of the New United States


                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                    Early Republic U.S. Foreign Policy


                                                                                                                                    Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                      The North, Early to mid 1800's


                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                        The South, Early to mid 1800's


                                                                                                                                        Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                          The West, early to mid 1800's


                                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                            Slavery and the Ideals of The Declaration of Independence


                                                                                                                                            Loading Articles...


                                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                Reconstruction


                                                                                                                                                Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                  NGSS
                                                                                                                                                  3rd Grade
                                                                                                                                                  4th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  5th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  Middle School
                                                                                                                                                  Physical Science
                                                                                                                                                  Life Science
                                                                                                                                                  Earth Science
                                                                                                                                                  Engineering & Technology
                                                                                                                                                  Cross Cutting Concepts
                                                                                                                                                  Florida
                                                                                                                                                  3rd Grade
                                                                                                                                                  4th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  5th Grade

                                                                                                                                                  6th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  7th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  8th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  Texas
                                                                                                                                                  3rd Grade
                                                                                                                                                  4th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  5th Grade

                                                                                                                                                  6th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  7th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  8th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  North Carolina
                                                                                                                                                  6th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  7th Grade
                                                                                                                                                  8th Grade

                                                                                                                                                  3-ESS2 Earth’s Systems


                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                  • 3-ESS2-1 Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.

                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of data could include average temperature, precipitation, and wind direction.

                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment of graphical displays is limited to pictographs and bar graphs. Assessment does not include climate change.

                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                      • 3-ESS2-2 Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.

                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                          • 3-ESS2-3 Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the connections between weather and water processes in Earth systems.

                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                              3-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity


                                                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                              • 3-ESS3-1 Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.

                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of design solutions to weather-related hazards could include barriers to prevent flooding, wind resistant roofs, and lightning rods.

                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                  4-ESS1 Earth’s Place in the Universe


                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                  • 4-ESS1-1 Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support an explanation for changes in a landscape over time.

                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence from patterns could include rock layers with marine shell fossils above rock layers with plant fossils and no shells, indicating a change from land to water over time; and, a canyon with different rock layers in the walls and a river in the bottom, indicating that over time a river cut through the rock.

                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific knowledge of the mechanism of rock formation or memorization of specific rock formations and layers. Assessment is limited to relative time.

                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                      4-ESS2 Earth’s Systems


                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                      • 4-ESS2-1 Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.

                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples of variables to test could include angle of slope in the downhill movement of water, amount of vegetation, speed of wind, relative rate of deposition, cycles of freezing and thawing of water, cycles of heating and cooling, and volume of water flow.

                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to a single form of weathering or erosion.

                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 7

                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                          • 4-ESS2-2 Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth's features.

                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Maps can include topographic maps of Earth's land and ocean floor, as well as maps of the locations of mountains, continental boundaries, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                              4-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity


                                                                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                              • 4-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of renewable energy resources could include wind energy, water behind dams, and sunlight; non-renewable energy resources are fossil fuels and fissile materials. Examples of environmental effects could include loss of habitat due to dams, loss of habitat due to surface mining, and air pollution from burning of fossil fuels.

                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                  • 4-ESS3-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of solutions could include designing an earthquake resistant building and improving monitoring of volcanic activity.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                      5-ESS1 Earth’s Place in the Universe


                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                      • 5-ESS1-1 Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from the Earth.

                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to relative distances, not sizes, of stars. Assessment does not include other factors that affect apparent brightness (such as stellar masses, age, stage).

                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                          • 5-ESS1-2 Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky.

                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include the position and motion of Earth with respect to the sun and selected stars that are visible only in particular months.

                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include causes of seasons.

                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                              5-ESS2 Earth’s Systems


                                                                                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                              • 5-ESS2-1 Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.

                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples could include the influence of the ocean on ecosystems, landform shape, and climate; the influence of the atmosphere on landforms and ecosystems through weather and climate; and the influence of mountain ranges on winds and clouds in the atmosphere. The geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere are each a system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to the interactions of two systems at a time.

                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 5-ESS2-2 Describe and graph the amounts of salt water and fresh water in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to oceans, lakes, rivers, glaciers, ground water, and polar ice caps, and does not include the atmosphere.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                      5-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity


                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 5-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth's resources and environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                          MS-ESS1 Earth's Place in the Universe


                                                                                                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ESS1-1 Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of models can be physical, graphical, or conceptual.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-ESS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis for the model is on gravity as the force that holds together the solar system and Milky Way galaxy and controls orbital motions within them. Examples of models can be physical (such as the analogy of distance along a football field or computer visualizations of elliptical orbits) or conceptual (such as mathematical proportions relative to the size of familiar objects such as students' school or state).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include Kepler's Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of the planets as viewed from Earth.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS1-3 Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-ESS1-4 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth's 4.6-billion-year-old history.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how analyses of rock formations and the fossils they contain are used to establish relative ages of major events in Earth's history. Examples of Earth's major events could range from being very recent (such as the last Ice Age or the earliest fossils of homo sapiens) to very old (such as the formation of Earth or the earliest evidence of life). Examples can include the formation of mountain chains and ocean basins, the evolution or extinction of particular living organisms, or significant volcanic eruptions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          MS-ESS2 Earth's Systems


                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ESS2-1 Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the processes of melting, crystallization, weathering, deformation, and sedimentation, which act together to form minerals and rocks through the cycling of Earth's materials.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the identification and naming of minerals.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Stability and Change

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-ESS2-2 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how processes change Earth's surface at time and spatial scales that can be large (such as slow plate motions or the uplift of large mountain ranges) or small (such as rapid landslides or microscopic geochemical reactions), and how many geoscience processes (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and meteor impacts) usually behave gradually but are punctuated by catastrophic events. Examples of geoscience processes include surface weathering and deposition by the movements of water, ice, and wind. Emphasis is on geoscience processes that shape local geographic features, where appropriate.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 8

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS2-3 Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of data include similarities of rock and fossil types on different continents, the shapes of the continents (including continental shelves), and the locations of ocean structures (such as ridges, fracture zones, and trenches).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Paleomagnetic anomalies in oceanic and continental crust are not assessed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-ESS2-4 Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the ways water changes its state as it moves through the multiple pathways of the hydrologic cycle. Examples of models can be conceptual or physical.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: A quantitative understanding of the latent heats of vaporization and fusion is not assessed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ESS2-5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how air masses flow from regions of high pressure to low pressure, causing weather (defined by temperature, pressure, humidity, precipitation, and wind) at a fixed location to change over time, and how sudden changes in weather can result when different air masses collide. Emphasis is on how weather can be predicted within probabilistic ranges. Examples of data can be provided to students (such as weather maps, diagrams, and visualizations) or obtained through laboratory experiments (such as with condensation).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include recalling the names of cloud types or weather symbols used on weather maps or the reported diagrams from weather stations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-ESS2-6 Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how patterns vary by latitude, altitude, and geographic land distribution. Emphasis of atmospheric circulation is on the sunlight-driven latitudinal banding, the Coriolis effect, and resulting prevailing winds; emphasis of ocean circulation is on the transfer of heat by the global ocean convection cycle, which is constrained by the Coriolis effect and the outlines of continents. Examples of models can be diagrams, maps and globes, or digital representations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the dynamics of the Coriolis effect.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS3-1 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how these resources are limited and typically non-renewable, and how their distributions are significantly changing as a result of removal by humans. Examples of uneven distributions of resources as a result of past processes include but are not limited to petroleum (locations of the burial of organic marine sediments and subsequent geologic traps), metal ores (locations of past volcanic and hydrothermal activity associated with subduction zones), and soil (locations of active weathering and/or deposition of rock).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how some natural hazards, such as volcanic eruptions and severe weather, are preceded by phenomena that allow for reliable predictions, but others, such as earthquakes, occur suddenly and with no notice, and thus are not yet predictable. Examples of natural hazards can be taken from interior processes (such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions), surface processes (such as mass wasting and tsunamis), or severe weather events (such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods). Examples of data can include the locations, magnitudes, and frequencies of the natural hazards. Examples of technologies can be global (such as satellite systems to monitor hurricanes or forest fires) or local (such as building basements in tornado- prone regions or reservoirs to mitigate droughts).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of the design process include examining human environmental impacts, assessing the kinds of solutions that are feasible, and designing and evaluating solutions that could reduce that impact. Examples of human impacts can include water usage (such as the withdrawal of water from streams and aquifers or the construction of dams and levees), land usage (such as urban development, agriculture, or the removal of wetlands), and pollution (such as of the air, water, or land).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-ESS3-4 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence include grade-appropriate databases on human populations and the rates of consumption of food and natural resources (such as freshwater, mineral, and energy). Examples of impacts can include changes to the appearance, composition, and structure of Earth's systems as well as the rates at which they change. The consequences of increases in human populations and consumption of natural resources are described by science, but science does not make the decisions for the actions society takes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS3-5 Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of factors include human activities (such as fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and agricultural activity) and natural processes (such as changes in incoming solar radiation or volcanic activity). Examples of evidence can include tables, graphs, and maps of global and regional temperatures, atmospheric levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, and the rates of human activities. Emphasis is on the major role that human activities play in causing the rise in global temperatures.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Stability and Change

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 3-5-ETS1-1 Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 3-5-ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 3-5-ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  MS-ETS1 Engineering Design


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-ETS1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-ETS1-4 Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 3-LS1-1 Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Changes organisms go through during their life form a pattern.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment of plant life cycles is limited to those of flowering plants. Assessment does not include details of human reproduction.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 3-LS2-1 Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 3-LS3-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Patterns are the similarities and differences in traits shared between offspring and their parents, or among siblings. Emphasis is on organisms other than humans.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include genetic mechanisms of inheritance and prediction of traits. Assessment is limited to non-human examples.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 3-LS3-2 Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of the environment affecting a trait could include normally tall plants grown with insufficient water are stunted; and, a pet dog that is given too much food and little exercise may become overweight.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 3-LS4-1 Analyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and the environments in which they lived long ago.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of data could include type, size, and distributions of fossil organisms. Examples of fossils and environments could include marine fossils found on dry land, tropical plant fossils found in Arctic areas, and fossils of extinct organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include identification of specific fossils or present plants and animals. Assessment is limited to major fossil types and relative ages.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples of cause and effect relationships could be plants that have larger thorns than other plants may be less likely to be eaten by predators; and, animals that have better camouflage coloration than other animals may be more likely to survive and therefore more likely to leave offspring.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 3-LS4-3 Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence could include needs and characteristics of the organisms and habitats involved. The organisms and their habitat make up a system in which the parts depend on each other.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 3-LS4-4 Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of environmental changes could include changes in land characteristics, water distribution, temperature, food, and other organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to a single environmental change. Assessment does not include the greenhouse effect or climate change.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  4-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of structures could include thorns, stems, roots, colored petals, heart, stomach, lung, brain, and skin.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to macroscopic structures within plant and animal systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 15

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 4-LS1-2 Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on systems of information transfer.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the mechanisms by which the brain stores and recalls information or the mechanisms of how sensory receptors function.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          5-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 5-LS1-1 Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the idea that plant matter comes mostly from air and water, not from the soil.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              5-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 5-LS2-1 Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the idea that matter that is not food (air, water, decomposed materials in soil) is changed by plants into matter that is food. Examples of systems could include organisms, ecosystems, and the Earth.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include molecular explanations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  MS-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS1-1 Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on developing evidence that living things are made of cells, distinguishing between living and non-living things, and understanding that living things may be made of one cell or many and varied cells.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the cell functioning as a whole system and the primary role of identified parts of the cell, specifically the nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, cell membrane, and cell wall.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment of organelle structure/function relationships is limited to the cell wall and cell membrane. Assessment of the function of the other organelles is limited to their relationship to the whole cell. Assessment does not include the biochemical function of cells or cell parts.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Structure and Function

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS1-3 Use arguments supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the conceptual understanding that cells form tissues and tissues form organs specialized for particular body functions. Examples could include the interaction of subsystems within a system and the normal functioning of those systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the mechanism of one body system independent of others. Assessment is limited to the circulatory, excretory, digestive, respiratory, muscular, and nervous systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS1-4 Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of behaviors that affect the probability of animal reproduction could include nest building to protect young from cold, herding of animals to protect young from predators, and vocalization of animals and colorful plumage to attract mates for breeding. Examples of animal behaviors that affect the probability of plant reproduction could include transferring pollen or seeds, and creating conditions for seed germination and growth. Examples of plant structures could include bright flowers attracting butterflies that transfer pollen, flower nectar and odors that attract insects that transfer pollen, and hard shells on nuts that squirrels bury.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS1-5 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of local environmental conditions could include availability of food, light, space, and water. Examples of genetic factors could include large breed cattle and species of grass affecting growth of organisms. Examples of evidence could include drought decreasing plant growth, fertilizer increasing plant growth, different varieties of plant seeds growing at different rates in different conditions, and fish growing larger in large ponds than they do in small ponds.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include genetic mechanisms, gene regulation, or biochemical processes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS1-6 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on tracing movement of matter and flow of energy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the biochemical mechanisms of photosynthesis.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS1-7 Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on describing that molecules are broken apart and put back together and that in this process, energy is released.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include details of the chemical reactions for photosynthesis or respiration.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS1-8 Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or storage as memories.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include mechanisms for the transmission of this information.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on cause and effect relationships between resources and growth of individual organisms and the numbers of organisms in ecosystems during periods of abundant and scarce resources.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS2-2 Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on predicting consistent patterns of interactions in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms and abiotic components of ecosystems. Examples of types of interactions could include competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS2-3 Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on describing the conservation of matter and flow of energy into and out of various ecosystems, and on defining the boundaries of the system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the use of chemical reactions to describe the processes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS2-4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on recognizing patterns in data and making warranted inferences about changes in populations, and on evaluating empirical evidence supporting arguments about changes to ecosystems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Stability and Change

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of ecosystem services could include water purification, nutrient recycling, and prevention of soil erosion. Examples of design solution constraints could include scientific, economic, and social considerations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Stability and Change

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      MS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS3-1 Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on conceptual understanding that changes in genetic material may result in making different proteins.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Structure and Function

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 7

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS3-2 Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using models such as Punnett squares, diagrams, and simulations to describe the cause and effect relationship of gene transmission from parent(s) to offspring and resulting genetic variation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              MS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS4-1 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on finding patterns of changes in the level of complexity of anatomical structures in organisms and the chronological order of fossil appearance in the rock layers.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 8

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS4-2 Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on explanations of the evolutionary relationships among organisms in terms of similarity or differences of the gross appearance of anatomical structures.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS4-3 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on inferring general patterns of relatedness among embryos of different organisms by comparing the macroscopic appearance of diagrams or pictures.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment of comparisons is limited to gross appearance of anatomical structures in embryological development.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals' probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using simple probability statements and proportional reasoning to construct explanations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS4-5 Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on synthesizing information from reliable sources about the influence of humans on genetic outcomes in artificial selection (such as genetic modification, animal husbandry, gene therapy); and, on the impacts these technologies have on society as well as the technologies leading to these scientific discoveries.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS4-6 Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using mathematical models, probability statements, and proportional reasoning to support explanations of trends in changes to populations over time.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      3-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 3-PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples could include an unbalanced force on one side of a ball can make it start moving; and, balanced forces pushing on a box from both sides will not produce any motion at all.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to one variable at a time: number, size, or direction of forces. Assessment does not include quantitative force size, only qualitative and relative. Assessment is limited to gravity being addressed as a force that pulls objects down.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 3-PS2-2 Make observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of motion with a predictable pattern could include a child swinging in a swing, a ball rolling back and forth in a bowl, and two children on a see-saw.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include technical terms such as period and frequency.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 3-PS2-3 Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of an electric force could include the force on hair from an electrically charged balloon and the electrical forces between a charged rod and pieces of paper; examples of a magnetic force could include the force between two permanent magnets, the force between an electromagnet and steel paperclips, and the force exerted by one magnet versus the force exerted by two magnets. Examples of cause and effect relationships could include how the distance between objects affects strength of the force and how the orientation of magnets affects the direction of the magnetic force.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to forces produced by objects that can be manipulated by students, and electrical interactions are limited to static electricity.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 3-PS2-4 Define a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of problems could include constructing a latch to keep a door shut and creating a device to keep two moving objects from touching each other.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      4-PS3 Energy


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 4-PS3-1 Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include quantitative measures of changes in the speed of an object or on any precise or quantitative definition of energy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 4-PS3-2 Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include quantitative measurements of energy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 4-PS3-3 Ask questions and predict outcomes about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the change in the energy due to the change in speed, not on the forces, as objects interact.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include quantitative measurements of energy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 4-PS3-4 Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of devices could include electric circuits that convert electrical energy into motion energy of a vehicle, light, or sound; and, a passive solar heater that converts light into heat. Examples of constraints could include the materials, cost, or time to design the device.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Devices should be limited to those that convert motion energy to electric energy or use stored energy to cause motion or produce light or sound.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      4-PS4 Waves and their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 4-PS4-1 Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength and that waves can cause objects to move.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples of models could include diagrams, analogies, and physical models using wire to illustrate wavelength and amplitude of waves.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include interference effects, electromagnetic waves, non-periodic waves, or quantitative models of amplitude and wavelength.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 4-PS4-2 Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include knowledge of specific colors reflected and seen, the cellular mechanisms of vision, or how the retina works.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 4-PS4-3 Generate and compare multiple solutions that use patterns to transfer information.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of solutions could include drums sending coded information through sound waves, using a grid of 1's and 0's representing black and white to send information about a picture, and using Morse code to send text.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5-PS1 Matter and its Interactions


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 5-PS1-1 Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence supporting a model could include adding air to expand a basketball, compressing air in a syringe, dissolving sugar in water, and evaporating salt water.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the atomic-scale mechanism of evaporation and condensation or defining the unseen particles.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 5-PS1-2 Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples of reactions or changes could include phase changes, dissolving, and mixing that form new substances.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include distinguishing mass and weight.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 5-PS1-3 Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of materials to be identified could include baking soda and other powders, metals, minerals, and liquids. Examples of properties could include color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility; density is not intended as an identifiable property.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include density or distinguishing mass and weight.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 5-PS1-4 Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 5-PS2-1 Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Down is a local description of the direction that points toward the center of the spherical Earth.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include mathematical representation of gravitational force.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      5-PS3 Energy


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 5-PS3-1 Use models to describe that energy in animals food (used for body repair, growth, and motion and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples of models could include diagrams, and flow charts.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          MS-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS1-1 Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on developing models of molecules that vary in complexity. Examples of simple molecules could include ammonia and methanol. Examples of extended structures could include sodium chloride or diamonds. Examples of molecular-level models could include drawings, 3D ball and stick structures, or computer representations showing different molecules with different types of atoms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include valence electrons and bonding energy, discussing the ionic nature of subunits of complex structures, or a complete depiction of all individual atoms in a complex molecule or extended structure.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS1-2 Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of reactions could include burning sugar or steel wool, fat reacting with sodium hydroxide, and mixing zinc with hydrogen chloride.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to analysis of the following properties: density, melting point, boiling point, solubility, flammability, and odor.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-PS1-3 Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on natural resources that undergo a chemical process to form the synthetic material. Examples of new materials could include new medicine, foods, and alternative fuels.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to qualitative information.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Structure and Function

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS1-4 Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on qualitative molecular-level models of solids, liquids, and gases to show that adding or removing thermal energy increases or decreases kinetic energy of the particles until a change of state occurs. Examples of models could include drawings and diagrams. Examples of particles could include molecules or inert atoms. Examples of pure substances could include water, carbon dioxide, and helium.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS1-5 Develop and use a model to describe how the total number of atoms does not change in a chemical reaction and thus mass is conserved.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on law of conservation of matter and on physical models or drawings, including digital forms, that represent atoms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include the use of atomic masses, balancing symbolic equations, or intermolecular forces.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS1-6 Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the design, controlling the transfer of energy to the environment, and modification of a device using factors such as type and concentration of a substance. Examples of designs could involve chemical reactions such as dissolving ammonium chloride or calcium chloride.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to the criteria of amount, time, and temperature of substance in testing the device.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  MS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-PS2-1 Apply Newton's Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of practical problems could include the impact of collisions between two cars, between a car and stationary objects, and between a meteor and a space vehicle.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS2-2 Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object's motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on balanced (Newton's First Law) and unbalanced forces in a system, qualitative comparisons of forces, mass and changes in motion (Newton's Second Law), frame of reference, and specification of units.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time. Assessment does not include the use of trigonometry.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Stability and Change

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS2-3 Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of devices that use electric and magnetic forces could include electromagnets, electric motors, or generators. Examples of data could include the effect of the number of turns of wire on the strength of an electromagnet, or the effect of increasing the number or strength of magnets on the speed of an electric motor.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS2-4 Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence for arguments could include data generated from simulations or digital tools; and charts displaying mass, strength of interaction, distance from the Sun, and orbital periods of objects within the solar system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include Newton's Law of Gravitation or Kepler's Laws.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-PS2-5 Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of this phenomenon could include the interactions of magnets, electrically-charged strips of tape, and electrically-charged pith balls. Examples of investigations could include first-hand experiences or simulations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      MS-PS3 Energy


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS3-1 Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on descriptive relationships between kinetic energy and mass separately from kinetic energy and speed. Examples could include riding a bicycle at different speeds, rolling different sizes of rocks downhill, and getting hit by a wiffle ball versus a tennis ball.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS3-2 Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on relative amounts of potential energy, not on calculations of potential energy. Examples of objects within systems interacting at varying distances could include: the Earth and either a roller coaster cart at varying positions on a hill or objects at varying heights on shelves, changing the direction/orientation of a magnet, and a balloon with static electrical charge being brought closer to a classmate's hair. Examples of models could include representations, diagrams, pictures, and written descriptions of systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to two objects and electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of devices could include an insulated box, a solar cooker, and a Styrofoam cup.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include calculating the total amount of thermal energy transferred.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-PS3-4 Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of experiments could include comparing final water temperatures after different masses of ice melted in the same volume of water with the same initial temperature, the temperature change of samples of different materials with the same mass as they cool or heat in the environment, or the same material with different masses when a specific amount of energy is added.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include calculating the total amount of thermal energy transferred.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS3-5 Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples of empirical evidence used in arguments could include an inventory or other representation of the energy before and after the transfer in the form of temperature changes or motion of object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include calculations of energy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Crosscutting Concept: Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          MS-PS4 Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS4-1 Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on describing waves with both qualitative and quantitative thinking.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Crosscutting Concept: Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on both light and mechanical waves. Examples of models could include drawings, simulations, and written descriptions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Assesssment Boundary: Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crosscutting Concept: Structure and Function

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-PS4-3 Integrate qualitative scientific and technical information to support the claim that digitized signals are a more reliable way to encode and transmit information than analog signals.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on a basic understanding that waves can be used for communication purposes. Examples could include using fiber optic cable to transmit light pulses, radio wave pulses in wifi devices, and conversion of stored binary patterns to make sound or text on a computer screen.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Assesssment Boundary: Assessment does not include binary counting. Assessment does not include the specific mechanism of any given device.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Crosscutting Concept: Structure and Function

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Observed patterns in nature guide organization and classification and prompt questions about relationships and causes underlying them.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS1-2 Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples of reactions could include burning sugar or steel wool, fat reacting with sodium hydroxide, and mixing zinc with hydrogen chloride.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment is limited to analysis of the following properties: density, melting point, boiling point, solubility, flammability, and odor.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS4-1 Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on describing waves with both qualitative and quantitative thinking.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS2-2 Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on predicting consistent patterns of interactions in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms and abiotic components of ecosystems. Examples of types of interactions could include competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS4-1 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on finding patterns of changes in the level of complexity of anatomical structures in organisms and the chronological order of fossil appearance in the rock layers.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 8

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS4-2 Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on explanations of the evolutionary relationships among organisms in terms of similarity or differences of the gross appearance of anatomical structures.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ESS1-1 Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of models can be physical, graphical, or conceptual.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-ESS2-3 Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of data include similarities of rock and fossil types on different continents, the shapes of the continents (including continental shelves), and the locations of ocean structures (such as ridges, fracture zones, and trenches).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary: Paleomagnetic anomalies in oceanic and continental crust are not assessed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how some natural hazards, such as volcanic eruptions and severe weather, are preceded by phenomena that allow for reliable predictions, but others, such as earthquakes, occur suddenly and with no notice, and thus are not yet predictable. Examples of natural hazards can be taken from interior processes (such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions), surface processes (such as mass wasting and tsunamis), or severe weather events (such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods). Examples of data can include the locations, magnitudes, and frequencies of the natural hazards. Examples of technologies can be global (such as satellite systems to monitor hurricanes or forest fires) or local (such as building basements in tornado- prone regions or reservoirs to mitigate droughts).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Cause and Effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Events have causes, sometimes simple, sometimes multifaceted. Deciphering causal relationships, and the mechanisms by which they are mediated, is a major activity of science and engineering.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS1-4 Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on qualitative molecular-level models of solids, liquids, and gases to show that adding or removing thermal energy increases or decreases kinetic energy of the particles until a change of state occurs. Examples of models could include drawings and diagrams. Examples of particles could include molecules or inert atoms. Examples of pure substances could include water, carbon dioxide, and helium.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS2-3 Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of devices that use electric and magnetic forces could include electromagnets, electric motors, or generators. Examples of data could include the effect of the number of turns of wire on the strength of an electromagnet, or the effect of increasing the number or strength of magnets on the speed of an electric motor.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS2-5 Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of this phenomenon could include the interactions of magnets, electrically-charged strips of tape, and electrically-charged pith balls. Examples of investigations could include first-hand experiences or simulations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary: Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS1-4 Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of behaviors that affect the probability of animal reproduction could include nest building to protect young from cold, herding of animals to protect young from predators, and vocalization of animals and colorful plumage to attract mates for breeding. Examples of animal behaviors that affect the probability of plant reproduction could include transferring pollen or seeds, and creating conditions for seed germination and growth. Examples of plant structures could include bright flowers attracting butterflies that transfer pollen, flower nectar and odors that attract insects that transfer pollen, and hard shells on nuts that squirrels bury.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS1-5 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Examples of local environmental conditions could include availability of food, light, space, and water. Examples of genetic factors could include large breed cattle and species of grass affecting growth of organisms. Examples of evidence could include drought decreasing plant growth, fertilizer increasing plant growth, different varieties of plant seeds growing at different rates in different conditions, and fish growing larger in large ponds than they do in small ponds.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include genetic mechanisms, gene regulation, or biochemical processes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS1-8 Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or storage as memories.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include mechanisms for the transmission of this information.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on cause and effect relationships between resources and growth of individual organisms and the numbers of organisms in ecosystems during periods of abundant and scarce resources.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS3-2 Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using models such as Punnett squares, diagrams, and simulations to describe the cause and effect relationship of gene transmission from parent(s) to offspring and resulting genetic variation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals' probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using simple probability statements and proportional reasoning to construct explanations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS4-5 Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on synthesizing information from reliable sources about the influence of humans on genetic outcomes in artificial selection (such as genetic modification, animal husbandry, gene therapy); and, on the impacts these technologies have on society as well as the technologies leading to these scientific discoveries.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS4-6 Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using mathematical models, probability statements, and proportional reasoning to support explanations of trends in changes to populations over time.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS2-5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how air masses flow from regions of high pressure to low pressure, causing weather (defined by temperature, pressure, humidity, precipitation, and wind) at a fixed location to change over time, and how sudden changes in weather can result when different air masses collide. Emphasis is on how weather can be predicted within probabilistic ranges. Examples of data can be provided to students (such as weather maps, diagrams, and visualizations) or obtained through laboratory experiments (such as with condensation).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include recalling the names of cloud types or weather symbols used on weather maps or the reported diagrams from weather stations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-ESS3-1 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how these resources are limited and typically non-renewable, and how their distributions are significantly changing as a result of removal by humans. Examples of uneven distributions of resources as a result of past processes include but are not limited to petroleum (locations of the burial of organic marine sediments and subsequent geologic traps), metal ores (locations of past volcanic and hydrothermal activity associated with subduction zones), and soil (locations of active weathering and/or deposition of rock).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of the design process include examining human environmental impacts, assessing the kinds of solutions that are feasible, and designing and evaluating solutions that could reduce that impact. Examples of human impacts can include water usage (such as the withdrawal of water from streams and aquifers or the construction of dams and levees), land usage (such as urban development, agriculture, or the removal of wetlands), and pollution (such as of the air, water, or land).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-ESS3-4 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence include grade-appropriate databases on human populations and the rates of consumption of food and natural resources (such as freshwater, mineral, and energy). Examples of impacts can include changes to the appearance, composition, and structure of Earth's systems as well as the rates at which they change. The consequences of increases in human populations and consumption of natural resources are described by science, but science does not make the decisions for the actions society takes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  In considering phenomena, it is critical to recognize what is relevant at different size, time, and energy scales, and to recognize proportional relationships between different quantities as scales change.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-PS1-1 Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on developing models of molecules that vary in complexity. Examples of simple molecules could include ammonia and methanol. Examples of extended structures could include sodium chloride or diamonds. Examples of molecular-level models could include drawings, 3D ball and stick structures, or computer representations showing different molecules with different types of atoms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include valence electrons and bonding energy, discussing the ionic nature of subunits of complex structures, or a complete depiction of all individual atoms in a complex molecule or extended structure.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS3-1 Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on descriptive relationships between kinetic energy and mass separately from kinetic energy and speed. Examples could include riding a bicycle at different speeds, rolling different sizes of rocks downhill, and getting hit by a wiffle ball versus a tennis ball.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS3-4 Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of experiments could include comparing final water temperatures after different masses of ice melted in the same volume of water with the same initial temperature, the temperature change of samples of different materials with the same mass as they cool or heat in the environment, or the same material with different masses when a specific amount of energy is added.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include calculating the total amount of thermal energy transferred.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS1-1 Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on developing evidence that living things are made of cells, distinguishing between living and non-living things, and understanding that living things may be made of one cell or many and varied cells.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS1-3 Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-ESS1-4 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth's 4.6-billion-year-old history.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how analyses of rock formations and the fossils they contain are used to establish relative ages of major events in Earth's history. Examples of Earth's major events could range from being very recent (such as the last Ice Age or the earliest fossils of homo sapiens) to very old (such as the formation of Earth or the earliest evidence of life). Examples can include the formation of mountain chains and ocean basins, the evolution or extinction of particular living organisms, or significant volcanic eruptions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ESS2-2 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how processes change Earth's surface at time and spatial scales that can be large (such as slow plate motions or the uplift of large mountain ranges) or small (such as rapid landslides or microscopic geochemical reactions), and how many geoscience processes (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and meteor impacts) usually behave gradually but are punctuated by catastrophic events. Examples of geoscience processes include surface weathering and deposition by the movements of water, ice, and wind. Emphasis is on geoscience processes that shape local geographic features, where appropriate.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 8

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Systems and System Models

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              A system is an organized group of related objects or components; models can be used for understanding and predicting the behavior of systems.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS2-1 Apply Newton's Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of practical problems could include the impact of collisions between two cars, between a car and stationary objects, and between a meteor and a space vehicle.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary: Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-PS2-4 Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence for arguments could include data generated from simulations or digital tools; and charts displaying mass, strength of interaction, distance from the Sun, and orbital periods of objects within the solar system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include Newton's Law of Gravitation or Kepler's Laws.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS3-2 Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on relative amounts of potential energy, not on calculations of potential energy. Examples of objects within systems interacting at varying distances could include: the Earth and either a roller coaster cart at varying positions on a hill or objects at varying heights on shelves, changing the direction/orientation of a magnet, and a balloon with static electrical charge being brought closer to a classmate's hair. Examples of models could include representations, diagrams, pictures, and written descriptions of systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment is limited to two objects and electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS1-3 Use arguments supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the conceptual understanding that cells form tissues and tissues form organs specialized for particular body functions. Examples could include the interaction of subsystems within a system and the normal functioning of those systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include the mechanism of one body system independent of others. Assessment is limited to the circulatory, excretory, digestive, respiratory, muscular, and nervous systems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-ESS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis for the model is on gravity as the force that holds together the solar system and Milky Way galaxy and controls orbital motions within them. Examples of models can be physical (such as the analogy of distance along a football field or computer visualizations of elliptical orbits) or conceptual (such as mathematical proportions relative to the size of familiar objects such as students' school or state).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include Kepler's Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of the planets as viewed from Earth.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS2-6 Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how patterns vary by latitude, altitude, and geographic land distribution. Emphasis of atmospheric circulation is on the sunlight-driven latitudinal banding, the Coriolis effect, and resulting prevailing winds; emphasis of ocean circulation is on the transfer of heat by the global ocean convection cycle, which is constrained by the Coriolis effect and the outlines of continents. Examples of models can be diagrams, maps and globes, or digital representations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include the dynamics of the Coriolis effect.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Energy and Matter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Tracking energy and matter flows, into, out of, and within systems helps one understand their system's behavior.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS1-5 Develop and use a model to describe how the total number of atoms does not change in a chemical reaction and thus mass is conserved.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on law of conservation of matter and on physical models or drawings, including digital forms, that represent atoms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include the use of atomic masses, balancing symbolic equations, or intermolecular forces.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS1-6 Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the design, controlling the transfer of energy to the environment, and modification of a device using factors such as type and concentration of a substance. Examples of designs could involve chemical reactions such as dissolving ammonium chloride or calcium chloride.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment is limited to the criteria of amount, time, and temperature of substance in testing the device.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of devices could include an insulated box, a solar cooker, and a Styrofoam cup.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include calculating the total amount of thermal energy transferred.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-PS3-5 Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of empirical evidence used in arguments could include an inventory or other representation of the energy before and after the transfer in the form of temperature changes or motion of object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include calculations of energy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS1-6 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on tracing movement of matter and flow of energy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include the biochemical mechanisms of photosynthesis.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-LS1-7 Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on describing that molecules are broken apart and put back together and that in this process, energy is released.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include details of the chemical reactions for photosynthesis or respiration.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS2-3 Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on describing the conservation of matter and flow of energy into and out of various ecosystems, and on defining the boundaries of the system.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include the use of chemical reactions to describe the processes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-ESS2-4 Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the ways water changes its state as it moves through the multiple pathways of the hydrologic cycle. Examples of models can be conceptual or physical.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: A quantitative understanding of the latent heats of vaporization and fusion is not assessed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Structure and Function

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The way an object is shaped or structured determines many of its properties and functions.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-PS1-3 Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on natural resources that undergo a chemical process to form the synthetic material. Examples of new materials could include new medicine, foods, and alternative fuels.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment is limited to qualitative information.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on both light and mechanical waves. Examples of models could include drawings, simulations, and written descriptions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-PS4-3 Integrate qualitative scientific and technical information to support the claim that digitized signals are a more reliable way to encode and transmit information than analog signals.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on a basic understanding that waves can be used for communication purposes. Examples could include using fiber optic cable to transmit light pulses, radio wave pulses in wifi devices, and conversion of stored binary patterns to make sound or text on a computer screen.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include binary counting. Assessment does not include the specific mechanism of any given device.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the cell functioning as a whole system and the primary role of identified parts of the cell, specifically the nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, cell membrane, and cell wall.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: Assessment of organelle structure/function relationships is limited to the cell wall and cell membrane. Assessment of the function of the other organelles is limited to their relationship to the whole cell. Assessment does not include the biochemical function of cells or cell parts.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-LS3-1 Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on conceptual understanding that changes in genetic material may result in making different proteins.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 7

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Stability and Change

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          For both designed and natural systems, conditions that affect stability and factors that control rates of change are critical elements to consider and understand.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-PS2-2 Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object's motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on balanced (Newton's First Law) and unbalanced forces in a system, qualitative comparisons of forces, mass and changes in motion (Newton's Second Law), frame of reference, and specification of units.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary: Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time. Assessment does not include the use of trigonometry.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • MS-LS2-4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on recognizing patterns in data and making warranted inferences about changes in populations, and on evaluating empirical evidence supporting arguments about changes to ecosystems.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement: Examples of ecosystem services could include water purification, nutrient recycling, and prevention of soil erosion. Examples of design solution constraints could include scientific, economic, and social considerations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Aligned Articles 2

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • MS-ESS2-1 Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the processes of melting, crystallization, weathering, deformation, and sedimentation, which act together to form minerals and rocks through the cycling of Earth's materials.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Asessment Bondary: Assessment does not include the identification and naming of minerals.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Aligned Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Background Articles 5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • MS-ESS3-5 Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Clarification Statement: Examples of factors include human activities (such as fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and agricultural activity) and natural processes (such as changes in incoming solar radiation or volcanic activity). Examples of evidence can include tables, graphs, and maps of global and regional temperatures, atmospheric levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, and the rates of human activities. Emphasis is on the major role that human activities play in causing the rise in global temperatures.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Asessment Bondary:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Background Articles 0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Patterns

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Observed patterns in nature guide organization and classification and prompt questions about relationships and causes underlying them.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Loading Articles...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 3-ESS2-1 Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Clarification Statement: Examples of data could include average temperature, precipitation, and wind direction.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Asessment Bondary: Assessment of graphical displays is limited to pictographs and bar graphs. Assessment does not include climate change.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Aligned Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Background Articles 1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 3-ESS2-2 Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Clarification Statement:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Asessment Bondary: