Clarification Statement - S.MS.LS.4.1.CS:
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.

Assessment Boundary - S.MS.LS.4.1.AB:
Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record.

Science and Engineering Practices - 6-8.SEP4.1:
Analyze and interpret data to determine similarities and differences in findings.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.MS.LS.4.1.DCI:
LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity •The collection of fossils and their placement in chronological order (e.g., through the location of the sedimentary layers in which they are found or through radioactive dating) is known as the fossil record. It documents the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of many life forms throughout the history of life on Earth.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC1.10:
Graphs, charts, and images can be used to identify patterns in data.