Mississippi Science FB.5.3
The Standard
- FB.5
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s fossil record and its indication of the diversity of life over time.
Obtain and communicate information to explain how DNA evidence and fossil records support Darwin’s theory of evolution.
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Biological Evolution
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare DNA sequences from different species and examine dated fossils for changes over time. They explain how both kinds of evidence support shared ancestry and change over generations.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can point to specific DNA matches and fossil features to support a claim about shared ancestry. They can explain that one living species did not turn into another living species.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think an animal changed its traits during its lifetime or that an older fossil must be the direct ancestor of a younger one. They may also think similar DNA means one living species descended from the other.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Older whale fossils have hind legs, and whales share more DNA bases with hippos than with fish. Explain what each finding suggests about whale evolution.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have groups order dated whale fossil cards, then circle matching bases on printed whale, hippo, and fish DNA strips.
Ask, “Did modern whales come from modern hippos?” Have students write two sentences using DNA matches and fossil dates to explain their answer.
Play evidence match: students pair fossil and DNA cards with claims about shared ancestry, then explain each match.
Show a museum photo of a modern whale skeleton with tiny pelvic bones; ask how fossil legs and DNA matches help explain them.
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Printable FB.5.3 Worksheet
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Related Standards
- L.8.4A.1
Use various scientific resources to analyze the historical findings of Charles Darwin to explain basic principles of natural selection.
- L.6.1.2
Obtain and communicate evidence to support the cell theory.
- FB.5.2
Analyze and interpret data to support claims that different types of fossils provide evidence of the diversity of life that has existed on Earth and of the rela...
- ESS.3.8
Analyze and interpret the record of shared ancestry, evolution, and extinction as related to natural selection using fossils.
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