• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time. (LS4.A, LS4.D)
• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Geological change and biological evolution are linked.
• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Tectonic plate movement has affected the evolution and distribution of living things. (ESS1.C)
• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Background extinctions are a normal occurrence.
• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Rates of extinction vary.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Biological evolution accounts for diversity over long periods of time.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Geological change and biological evolution are linked.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Tectonic plate movement has affected the evolution and distribution of living things.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Background extinctions are a normal occurrence.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Rates of extinction vary.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record documents patterns of extinction and the appearance of new forms.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record documents patterns of extinction and the appearance of new forms.
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing. (P3, P4, P6, P7)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists test their ideas using multiple lines of evidence. (P6, NOS2)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists may explore many different hypotheses to explain their observations. (P7)
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing.
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists test their ideas using multiple lines of evidence.
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists may explore many different hypotheses to explain their observations.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.

• Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
• Disciplinary Core Idea ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth
• Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans
• NOS Matrix understanding category 2. Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence.
• Science and Engineering Practice 3. Planning and carrying out investigations
• Science and Engineering Practice 4. Analyzing and interpreting data
• Science and Engineering Practice 6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
• Science and Engineering Practice 7. Engaging in argument from evidence

This article includes a set of discussion and extension questions for use in class. It also includes hints about related lessons that might be used in conjunction with this one. Get more tips for using Evo in the News articles in your classroom.

• History of Life