Mississippi Science ZOO.7.6
The Standard
- ZOO.7
- Students will understand the structure and function of phylum Chordata, classes Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes, and how they demonstrate the characteristics of living things.
Research, analyze, and communicate the effects of urbanization and continued expansion by humans on the biodiversity of fish species (e.g., overfishing, and invasive species).
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Phylum Chordata, Classes Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use fish surveys and other sources to study how human activity affects the number and kinds of fish in an area. They explain their findings with evidence.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can compare fish species counts from two surveys and describe the change. They can use evidence to explain how runoff, overfishing, or an invasive species might have contributed.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may count the total number of fish instead of the number of species. They may assume every introduced fish is invasive or that a drop in species proves one specific cause.
How to Assess It
- Show a river survey with 10 fish species before a housing development and 6 afterward, plus a note about new pavement and runoff. Ask students to describe the change and explain one possible cause using the note as evidence.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Use fish species cards to model a stream, then remove cards after drawing runoff, fishing, and invasive species event slips.
Give students two river survey tables and ask: Which claim about fish diversity can you support, and what else would you need to know?
Have pairs sort scenario cards labeled overfishing, storm-drain runoff, invasive carp, and stream restoration by likely effect on fish species.
Use a local street map to trace rainwater from a paved lot to a stream, then list one way it could affect fish habitat.
Free download
Printable ZOO.7.6 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to ZOO.7.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- MAQ.4.4
Research, analyze, and communicate the effects of urbanization and continued expansion by humans on the aquatic ecosystems’ biodiversity (e.g., land use changes...
- MAQ.4.6
Research, analyze, and communicate the effects of natural phenomena (e.g., hurricanes, floods, drought, and sea-level rise) on the aquatic ecosystems.
- ENV.1.9
Evaluate and communicate data that explains how human activity may impact biodiversity (e.g., introduction, removal, and reintroduction of an organism within an...
- MAQ.4.7
Research, analyze, and communicate which and in what capacity local, state, and federal regulatory agencies are involved in different aquatic ecosystems, includ...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson